Shop now for dorm furnishings

WACO, Texas — As students enter the virtually parent-free world of college, among their first tasks is searching out the furnishings and decor for their dorm room or apartment.

Furniture and domestic items, such as bedding, are in big demand at department stores right now — and have been since the rush for the upcoming semester began earlier this month, according to Dale Ripley, hardlines manager for Target in Waco.

"About four weeks before (classes start), you start seeing them," Ripley said. "A lot of parents come in and start buying appliances for their kids."

And not long after the shopping begins, stores start selling out.

"We set up a dorm area and sold out completely in about two weeks," said Belk's in Waco store manager, John Schell. "I think (female students) try to make their dorm rooms individualized."

Preferred color schemes, particularly among women, tend to range from polka dots to solid, loud colors, especially reds, according to Schell.

Many college students learn to become experts at creative room decor. The lucky ones have parents who will do the shopping for them or send them off with a charge card or gift card.

But for many students, splitting the cost among roommates is the key to furnishing and decorating the room. The other trick to affording the expense is just being frugal-minded and finding the right places to buy the right things.

"We're seeing a trend from families with multiple kids," Schell said. "They begin shopping for their school needs early so they can split it up among paychecks."

Audra Peterson, who will be a sophomore at Baylor University, said she and her roommate from last year worked out a system where each provided necessary items for their room.

"I bought a fridge, and she bought a TV," Peterson said.

Students agree that allowing each roommate to contribute individual items avoids conflict when the school semester ends. "Splitting the cost (of each item) is tough because eventually you have to take the stuff home," Peterson said.

Furnishing a dorm room seems to have less to do with being trendy than being practical. Among the most popular items are chairs, pillows, small fridges, bedspreads and curtains, according to students. Lamps and clocks are frequently needed as well.