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College Bedding - What Bedding Do I Need for My Dorm Room?

The bed in your dorm room will serve as not only your sleep space but a study area, a sofa, a storage area, a focal point in terms of décor, and an eating place. With your bed being used so much, it is important to pick out college bedding that works for all of these functions. Here are a couple of things to consider:

Durability

The first consideration when looking at dorm bedding is its durability; especially with regards to the comforter (or whatever it is you will use on the top of your bed). Inexpensive, lesser quality sets will quickly lose their softness, may pill, and will just not feel good to the touch. They also tend to be lighter fabrics which won't keep your warm during cold winters without the hassle of additional blankets. Look for high-quality fabrics that will withstand not only wear and tear, but frequent washings.

Washability

Everyday dirt, food stains, drink spills, beauty product messes, ink stains, and more are bound to make you want to wash your bedding more often than you did at home. Avoid anything that cannot be washed in the washing machine or dried easily and quickly in the dryer. Extremely heavy fabrics will pass our durability test but will be a hassle if they don't dry in a reasonable amount of time.

A duvet cover is perfect for the dorm room. A duvet is essentially a large case for your comforter (much like a pillow case is for a pillow) that can easily be removed and washed. It takes up much less space in the washer and dryer than the whole comforter; you may even be able to throw it in with your sheets. Some duvets are even reversible which will allow you to go longer between washings.

Printed fabrics will also extend the time between washings; prints will hide stains well. Avoid very light fabrics such as white or beige; stains on these may not come easily in the wash and you'll be staring at them all semester. Dark solids aren't a great idea either as lighter colored stains, hair, and fuzz will stand out.

Sheets

The first feature of sheets you'll need to consider is the size; look for the "extra long twin" size. Dorm beds are a full five inches longer than standard twin size beds. Your old sheets from your regular twin bed at home will not fit. If you are having a hard time finding the perfect design or color in the extra long size, purchase an extra long solid color fitted sheet (the part that goes around the mattress) and pair it with a standard size flat sheet and pillow cases in the design or color you really want.

Due to limited storage space, you won't be bringing a linen closet full of extra sheets with you to school. With that, you'll (hopefully) be washing your sheets somewhat frequently. To withstand the multiple washings, be sure to invest in high thread count, good quality, comfortable sheets. The sheets found as part of "bed-in-the-bag" sets are often poor quality and pill after only a few washings.

Bedskirts

You won't find a lot of dorm rooms with bed skirts (a.k.a. dust ruffles) on the beds; perhaps because students never know what they will end up doing with the bed configuration (lofts, bunks, etc.) However, they are something to consider if your bed will remain on the floor. They are a great way to hide items that are stored under your bed. Be sure to purchase one in the extra long size or one that uses tensions rods to stay in place. Just save the receipt in case you end up not using it.

About the Author

If you are having a hard time finding dorm size bedding in the stores in your area, there is a great selection online. Come visit our site to see the best places to buy dorm room bedding and learn what to do with other furniture in your room, including how to organize dorm desks.

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