I could be wrong but for a guy he probably does not want to stand out or look like he is trying too hard so I would just send him off with a few sets of white or navy sheets and then perhaps see if his college choice has a blanket with their colors in their shop. If not maybe his favorite team blanket.

Yeah, I dont think things geared toward guys dorms include much in the way of standing out ... prob solids or maybe a subtle stripe, am wondering more whether kids do duvets and duvet covers or just comforters or ...

Team blkt, hmm there are a lot of rivalries here; right on the border of sox/yankees, deeply felt, LOL!

Does he know his roommate yet? I don't know about guys, but young women want to collaborate on room decor, including bedding. Maybe mothers of sons will chime in and report if that is the case with young men.

No, and he wont for a while, the pairing happens after orientation in a month or so. I highly doubt that guys coordinate bedding, I did this for DD who is at BS, and they did coordinate. But boys, and U, this is new.

I'm kind of wondering if there is like particularly appropriate bedding for guys who do laundry like once a semester. IDK how he will be with that ... he knows how to do laundry but he has never had to, esp bedding.

I doubt he’ll coordinate with his roomie.

I’d probably go with a thin comforter in the hopes he might toss it in the washer once a semester and that it would fit in the washer.

I was thinking that, Robo, thin but warm if need be. We are close enough that he could come home and do wash occasionally, but even that is a PITA.

My daughters were always in co-ed dorms. Guys rooms were usually a complete mess! A solid color comforter in XL and a couple of sets of XL sheets should be fine. I'd get 2-3 sets of towels.

He will probably want to pick out his desk accessories, a bean bag chair, lamps, and posters for the cinder block walls. When he meets his roomie, they can decide if they want to bunk the beds if more room is needed. Another thing that is popular is risers to lift the bed so storage units can fit underneath.

ETA: I would suggest not encouraging coming home to do laundry. Being close to home can have its perils!

FWIW, my sons had navy sheets.

I would send a few sets of sheets....two cotton to begin....then when cold weather hits two flannel for winter, a comforter (they sit on their beds alot) instead of a duvet....they are a pita to keep from bunching up....solid, stripe or plaid comforter...doubt guys care about matching with a roomate. He’ll also need flip flops for the shower and something to carry his toiletries to and from...my boys used mesh bags....seems just the girls use the plastic totes.....he’ll also need a hamper...mine used pop up ones. A small microwave and fridge...you may be able to coordinate with the roomate and each purchase one of them....all in all guys get by with way less than girls!

My son had a navy comforter, blankets, and lighter blue sheets. He washed the sheets occasionly. They all lasted four years. Blankets, comforter, mattress pad, and sheets all came home for washing on any long break. This was more for my peace of mind than his. All of the dorm rooms he had were kept fairly warm so he didn't need extra blankets. If he'll have a futon, a small throw might be nice .

Last year I posted here about whether or not I should get a cool trunk for my son going off to school frosh year. The consensus was a yea and you Mtn. suggested some fantastic under bed umbra boxes from Container Store. I got both and it was a smashing success. The trunk's main purpose has been extra seating and table.

With respect to sheets, we got him plain white sheets and a duvet cover in blue ticking. For his bath towels I got him blue and white cabana stripe beach towels with his initial embroidered in red.

As for laundry, there are laundry and room cleaning services you can engage around most campuses. I realize not everyone would think this was a good idea. My thinking is that if you think your child is not going to do laundry, it is better to have someone do it. I see no great lesson learned from having dirty sheets/clothes. And I am terrified of MRSA infections at schools.

For a birthday maybe you could fill the trunk or come of those Umbra boxes with dorm essentials and some fun things (I know how hard it is to find fun and/or meaningful things for boys- aaaaaargh!)

Rhino trunks, available at Container Store and on the Rhino website.

At my children's school (DS2 is going to same school as DS1), roommates are revealed at orientation, so no coordinating. Not sure boys would ever coordinate anyway ;-)

I would do a quilt in a weight good for the destination weather. Maybe add a soft blanket for the end of the bed. I bought my son a quilt with grays and blacks. Years later it's still going strong. Underbed storage type drawers on wheels are also handy. One son really appreciates original art for the walls. My other son would be okay with a poster. They both like cool gadgets/clocks and portable exercise items with related storage solutions. If he likes exercise but has little space,!the white TRX anchor gyms with resistance bands along with the poster diagrams are good.

I would go with things that are easy to launder. Even if he’s not inclined to do it often, if someone pukes on his bed, he’s going to need to wash it all. So no single heavy comforter than might not fit in the dorm machine. And I would probably go with grey or brown as showing the least amount of dirt/stains.

Do you know yet if the dorm beds are regular twin or XL twin. My DGD and her college-bound roomie have picked out an inexpensive light gray Target comforter and plan to accessorize with pillows and a blanket at the end of the bed. Guys could easily get by with a solid quilt or light comforter and a blanket for warmth in winter.

Most kids here have at least 2 sets of sheets to start out and a foam mattress topper. And since the beds are raised many guys put in at least one futon under the bed. Idk, seems like it takes up a lot of valuable storage space but the guys and some girls do this for sleepovers and guests.

As an RA I had one guy whose mom came at Canadian Thanksgiving and did all his laundry including his sheets, he had not even washed one pair of underwear.

She did the same thing at Christmas and at spring break. I hope he had a lot of pairs of boxers.

I miss being able to take six loads of laundry at a time to the dorm laundry room late at night and get them all done at once.

If you are somewhere cold flannel sheets will be appreciated. My son has zero interest in the decor of his dorm but the flannel sheets when winter hit was definitely appreciated.

After touring the dorms and seeing especially the guys' comforters and blankets all askew, I got my son a top-sheet, flannel top-sheet/blanket, and comforter with a fitted foot, not elastic, just a couple of seams. They stay on nicely but not tight. I got beige/ivory sheets, thinking that dark colors would show salt edges from sweat stains.

How about a t-shirt quilt? You can get one made by someone local, I'll bet.

My 15 year old has had the Cremieux comforter (from Dilliard's website) for the last couple of years in the Vintage Denim color. It looks like grey denim to me. I swear I have washed that thing 20 times and it still looks good. The more you wash it, the better it feels. Just about any color pillows would go with it. I have a couple of shams in the same fabric for his bed. He and his friends lay all over it, hence why I have washed it numerous times.

I would definitely buy something that would be easy to make-just pull up and go! Anyway, that is what my son would need LOL.

I think many university's beds are extra long.

My son is also heading off for his freshman year this fall. One thing to note is that many kids, my son included, do not like top sheets He uses a bottom sheet with a super soft fleecy type blanket and puts the top sheet on top of that. Very hotel like, LOL.

I'm just throwing this out there even though I don't think it's necessarily something your son would need. Privacy Pop. I thought these would be great for those that prefer their privacy but have to have roommates. We had one for my DD when she had a to share a bedroom with DH and I in the rental after the fire.

I like jersey comforter and shams I bought for my DS on Urban Outfitters' website..they carry several colors and these can be laundered

DS loves them too

probably a bit expensive for college..yet I might buy him another set just like this, or -be prompted to go with something significantly cheaper..))(which we have too, but I kinda dislike it..) but they're very soft and look both cool and understated, just a right amount of subtle texture and all

https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shop/faded-ribbed-jersey-comforter?category=comforters-quilts-blankets&color=005

(check out their site btw, they cater to students a lot)

most bedding should be twin XL to the best of my knowledge

I usally love duvets, but if a comforter can be easily laundered that might be easier

I would give additional blanket/throw, in any case

a lamp is always nice to have. good light. something that can be maybe directed..

Hey Mtn, would he like something like this? It has a fleece interior.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/493783363/recycled-jeansdenim-patchwork-twin-size?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=twin%20quilt&ref=sr_gallery-4-17

Rita, Do you happen to recall which size rhino trunk you bought? I was looking at the site and there are lots to choose from… Also, tray or no tray? I’m going to get one for my son. Thanks!

Jo, Here is the link for the one I got. I bought it with the tray and the wheels. My son is Mr. Minimal and he likes this trunk so much he texted me to remind me to buy one for his younger brother who starts uni this fall. You have had quite a year filled with happy milestones :-)

https://www.dormco.com/College_Trunks_Rhino_Standard_Dorm_Size_p/dormco-ralrsl.htm

My younger son got a trunk and really liked it for storage under his bed too. Also got a small storage ottoman -- stool size that someone could sit on but it could store and extra blanket or throw and the extra sheets (closets were very small, esp for a musician with formal wear and instruments). Both sons got something like that for their dorm and still have them in their apartments.

As far as bedding, I never saw guys with coordinated anything unless it was you bring the mini fridge and I'll bring the TV kind of thing. Seems like nearly all guys I saw had either black/grey or navy/green -- maybe touches of red, or their school colors (much less likely unless an athlete or the school is a family tradition). I remember one having a comforter he never used (LA) and the other a solid color quilt.

For sheets. my guys liked the jersey knit and microfiber twin XL sets we found at Target better than any others. I liked them too and the prices were great for something you don't I was glad I didn't spend to much on them -- one son used them one year and then moved to a furnished apartment with full beds -- fortunately we got a tip to get the knit sheets because others were too tight, I measured and figured out the bed size was full XL. We went with queen sheets since that's what they have at home -- just in case that becomes an issue in a year or two.

Oh, I asked my younger son since he is here for interviews now (he just graduated) and he suggested a coffee maker -- I said Keurig and he said even better would be a French press is if he will have a microwave or a kettle to heat water. Water bottles to carry in a backpacks if he doesn't already have them. Hope that helps.

About the sheets, I am sure you already know this, but since mattress toppers are de rigueur- the mattresses seem pretty awful- you have to make sure the sheet's plenty deep as well as XL.

Omg...sorry off topic but omg (again).

"As an RA I had one guy whose mom came at Canadian Thanksgiving and
did all his laundry including his sheets, he had not even washed one
pair of underwear.

She did the same thing at Christmas and at spring break. I hope he had a lot of pairs of boxers."

No wonder so many man are pathetic at basic living skills or "helping" around the house. Why do parents do this to their children?

Sorry, rant over.

that wasn’t the only basic skill kids came without but it was a memorable one! I miss being den mother to a bunch of kids: that was an enjoyable time.

!

Target Twin XL - you'll have a few to pick from. I chose (DS didn't care) a navy stripe. Remember a dorm kid studies and eats pizza on their bed and a dark color covers a lot. BTW, neither of my sons laundered their comforters until I handled it on summer vacations. Also, 2 sets of sheets is plenty.

I also got the Target twin XL jersey knit sheets for both dd and ds. Grey for ds. Neither of my kids use top sheets(don't know where they get this from?). Dorms generally are kept on the warmer side, so a lighter weight comforter works well. My sons dorm had a en suite bathroom so he didn't need a plastic bin for toiletries. I did buy a small cotton rug for the bathroom.

I did buy a small plastic bin and filled it with 'emergency supplies'.... stuff like batteries, small flashlight, extra ear phones, spare cell phone charger and a box of condoms. Did this for both dd and ds.

We saw a lot of Keurigs on our tours. The nice thing is you can send pods in care packages. Soup and cocoa as well as coffees.

Dd just finished her freshman year. On move in day, she ended up with a top bunk. She had a mattress pad/cover, foam mattress topper, fitted sheet, top sheet, cool down comforter from IKEA inside a really soft jersey Urban Outfitters duvet and a super soft blanket we picked up on a whim at Target in her college city. Making her bed was a nightmare - I thought she would never wash her sheets. On move out day, I asked her how often she actually washed her sheets - her response "I mostly just slept on top of my Urban Outfitters duvet and used the Target blanket so I only had to wash the pillowcases, UO duvet and blanket." It was a lot easier for her to just wash the duvet and blanket than to try to remove the fitted sheet and top sheet and get them back on over top the mattress pad/topper, etc. Granted, she went to school in a warm climate so the blanket was enough warmth for her, but I thought it was smart in the end. Since she was on the top bunk, it wasn't like she had visitors sitting on her bed getting the duvet dirty.

You’ve gotten great suggestions here. I TOTALLY agree that top sheets are not needed or appreciated by most guys in the dorms (or after, for that matter). Go for the quickest, easiest way for him to make his bed. . . if he ever does (LOL)! Stay away from bamboo sheets and blanket as they take a lot longer to dry, from our experience. 2 sets of bottom sheets at most in a forgiving color. One tough, simple comforter that is easy to wash (if that ever happens) and that can withstand shoes, jeans, dirt, and food crumbs, because most lounge, socialize, and practically live on their dorm beds. <edited to add, that a great place to store that extra sheet (and pillow case and a blanket) to save storage room is under their mattress, per DS and DD>

A trunk to store things in and that is sturdy enough for someone to sit on or even stand on, if there’s room for it. A dorm fridge is also great to have, if there’s room. DS and his roommate put theirs between their two beds. I glanced in it once when we came for a visit (shudder!), and never looked or commented again. I can say, though, that it was well-used and much appreciated. My own experience with DS and his friends was that, as others have already mentioned, guys have no desire for a decorated dorm room or anything that stands out . . . except for electronics (LOL)!

The temps can vary a lot in dorm rooms — some are hot. My DS, who just graduated (woohoo!), had a light quilt plus a fleece blanket that he could add as needed. I’m sure he never washed either one. I washed them each summer, and when he came home last month, I chucked the quilt. He had light colored sheets — my thought being if he could SEE that they were dirty, he might wash them regularly.

One thing I sent him last year that he really liked was a giant photo strip — like the strip of photos from a photo booth but way bigger. It was like 1’ x 3’, maybe? I can’t remember the name of the web site but it came out really cute.

The Target sheets are fine for fitting over a mattress pad and cover. My son's both had them too --- 2-3" mattress topper plus mattress. The dorm and college rental mattresses are on the minimal side (6-8") and most sheets now are made for 12 inch mattresses. The sheets should be fine, but do get a decent topper.

4kids, that's why my kids' fitted foot bedding worked so well. It wasn't elasticized, just shaped to fit, and it was easy to do. And the top sheet and blanket didn't need to be "hospital cornered".

Then there's the kids' friends who slept in their sleeping bags. Hopefully with a washable liner?

My, very dated, memory is that dorm temperatures are quite variable. Some dorms run hot, some cold, some are different room to room. My law school dorm was cold in the basement and broiling on the third floor. . . . My senior year dorm was hot (no a/c in Missouri in August), then cold until they kicked the heat on, then warm, then hot again at the end of the year. Layers mean you can adjust and also mean you can wash it all (one heavy comforter won’t fit in some dorm laundry machines).

Check with housing for your DS's school before you spend $$$ on twin xl as DD #2's school has full xl for sophomore year. Kind of crazy to purchase 2 different sizes in back to back years. Most of us just bought queen to start and the girls tucked the extra sheet underneath the mattress.

I don't know enough about college boys to say if he would be excited, but it was a huge luxury when my random-paired roommate showed up with a mini fridge, microwave, and TV in our dorm room.

DS's school provides fridges and microwaves in each dorm room. And the beds in the dorms he will be in will be XL.

Just picked up DD1 from her high school and she confirmed - no top sheets. Two bottom sheets, a blanket and light quilt. Big pillows to lean against, pref in darker colors and tough fabrics (denim, twill, corduroy) to take the abuse.

I was pleased to see how many detergent pods she used. I often wondered. As for cleaning and laundry, we got my DD1 laundry her freshman year at BS (last yr) and at the end of the year I asked them for usage data. It cost like $1000 for the school year and she used it a handful of times!!?! #%&%@!

We stopped that. Apparently you had to drop off your laundry/drycl early in the morning before class and that was too much trouble. Shocked me as this is my uber-responsible mature kid. Go figure, she was still a kid.

My older one and his roommate high-lofted their beds and put a couple of those folding camp chairs like you take to the kids' soccer games underneath one, and the tv under the other. Pretty comfy.

My son will be a college sophomore in the fall. One of his favorite dorm items was a HUGE flag with his university's name & emblem. He hung it above his bed & that was all the 'decor' he needed.

What my sister did when my nephew went to college:

1. two 100% cotton navy twin XL bottom sheets (Bed, Bath, and Beyond, I think. Pottery Barn also has twin XL sheets.)

2. matching full-size top sheets turned into simple duvet cover (take 2 sheets, sew up 3 sides and most of 4th side. Inset comforter. Tack down the comforter corners and slip stitch the opening. This is not how you would do it for home, but is sufficient for a dorm. It might get washed twice a year.)

3. A tempurpedic-type mattress topper. I think it was from Overstock. Dorm mattresses are very hard.

4. And, of course, a mattress cover.

5. Towels that have already been used at home. My sister used the olive green towels from my nephew's home bathroom that were a couple of years old. Laundry is going to be a mixed load of everything that is dirty. Towels that have been used won't leave as much lint. I'm not suggesting old or worn out towels, just towels that have already been washed enough to eliminate some of the lint.

Her best friend, who has raised 3 boys, told her under no conditions should the dorm linens be thematic or even matching. It was a struggle for my sister, who decorates and coordinates in her sleep, but she powered through. You should have seen her daughter's dorm room. All of that pent-up decorating energy was unleashed!

Buy everything in gray - because that's what it will look like at the end of the year.

DS #1 came home for Thanksgiving and brought his laundry and announced that he didn't bother to separate darks and lights. His philosophy was to just load everything into one washer and be done with it.

For some strange reason my kids always did their own laundry when then came home on college breaks. I think it was because they didn't want me to see what it looked like.

Storage underneath the bed is crucial. Some dorms already have high bed frames and if they don't you can always buy a set - this one even has extra outlets and chargers. There are never enough outlets for all the electronics the kids bring - or they're not conveniently located. We did have one dorm bedframe with support legs that were too wide for this type of riser. So DS bought 4 cinder blocks.

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/studio-3b-trade-4-piece-usb-bed-lift-set/1040151694?skuId=40151694&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_storage_online&product_id=40151694&adtype=pla&product_channel=online&adpos=1o1&creative=224124676749&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&mrkgadid=558443888&mrkgcl=609&rkg_id=h-c0c3f36402939cf72986ee4b474160dd_t-1528636405&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmPPYBRCgARIsALOziAOHr1H3aO1cz0qQvW6hEdcpUSbdP_6iq2RQnWGOrAY-YxKbYaFPzyYaAi53EALw_wcB