In dorm shopping, my friends & I have compiled a couple hundred Pinterest articles & resources to find the absolute best finds for our dorm. We joke that we’re old ladies swapping couponing tips and discussions on pillows but hey, we’re definitely growing up!

I made the road trip to IKEA the weekend of summer orientation & figured out the things that are IKEA absolute gold. Obviously you don’t need the iconic IKEA steals: desks/bed frames/the adults stuff but their random finds are definite steals.

Journals // Around sophomore year I bought a pack of spineless unlined journals from IKEA & if you truly know me, you’ll know I RAVE about them. They are perfect: lightweight, thin & my favorite journals. I’ve tried tons of “pricier” notebooks and this 3 for $6 pack wins EVERY time.

Floating Shelf // $6 my friends. $6. I wasn’t going to get a floating shelf since they’re pretty pricy but $6. It’s $6. You can’t pass that up.

Jars // I think this post is turning into a “What not to buy at T.J. Maxx & Target but get at IKEA” because 1. It’s hard to find cute inexpensive containers that can hold KCups 2. They are triple the price at Target than IKEA.

Frames // Can you tell theres a theme? Frames are too expensive (yes I am @-ing you everywhere) but $1-$4, I can do that. Heads up, if you’re going to IKEA they don’t have 8×10 frames so Walmart is the next best option.

Corkboard // Another buy that I wasn’t planning to get but $6 (!!!!!!!) you can’t pass up. It fits perfectly under my desk hutch and if you need a reminder: $6 opposed to $20+ from T.J. Maxx. What’s that? More money for coffee you say? Bingo.

Desk Organizers // If you’ve done any sort of dorm shopping you’ll quickly learn: DESK ACCESSORIES ARE EXPENSIVE (say it louder for the people in the back.) I took the minimalist route and didn’t buy tons of little containers but instead got a few of the IKEA cardboard desk bins. I’ll obviously share a whole lot more about desk organization once I move in but I have developed a system at home that I’m hoping to take with me to school. I bought the cardboard bins & magazine holders which I currently use at home as well & love!

In the words of Honey Boo Boo, a dolla makes you holla.

xo

Mags