• Welcome
  • Community
  • Blogs
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Join
  • Log in
Follow MNN    
MNN - Mother Nature Network - Envrionmental News
improve your world

 

Saturday, May 26, 2012
  • Earth Matters

    Browse All » Animals Weather Energy Politics Space Translating Uncle Sam Wilderness & Resources

  • Health

    Browse All » Allergies Fitness & Well-Being Healthy Spaces

  • Lifestyle

    Browse All » Arts & Culture Travel Natural Beauty & Fashion Recycling Responsible Living

  • GREEN TECH

    Browse All » Computers Gadgets & Electronics Research & Innovations Transportation

  • Eco-Biz & Money

    Browse All » Green Workplace Personal Finance Sustainable Business Practices

  • Food & Drink

    Browse All » Beverages Healthy Eating Recipes

  • Your Home

    Browse All » At Home Organic Farming & Gardening Remodeling & Design

  • family

    Browse All » Babies & Pregnancy Family Activities Pets Protection & Safety

Tweet
Pin It
Email Bookmark and ShareShare
WorldShares lets you earn donations for your favorite nonprofit. Earn up to 20 points now.
Learn More

Earn Points
What's this?
MNN.COM›

MNN BLOGGERS

Matt Hickman

Going beyond the dorm

Are you (or is your baby) heading off to college next month? Check out these eight unique items for eco-minded dorm dwellers.

Wed, Aug 12 2009 at 9:07 AM EST

Although many would rather not hear it (especially vacationing educators), back to school season is in full swing. For college students heading back to the dorms, it’s time to pack up those boxes and decide how to make a barren, perhaps shared, room feel a bit more like home.
 
There’s been a huge push lately for dorm-bound students to green their small spaces. Unlike “real life” where you have more authority over the eco-friendliness of your living space, dorm-dwellers have to mind the details since buying large furnishings and fixtures and dealing with utilities is out of their hands. Small but important conservation efforts and small-scale purchasing decisions, mainly revolving around décor, are key here.
 
It’s also important, of course, to stand out and make your space — as claustrophobic as it is — special. No one wants to live in a room with bare walls (aside from the Animal House poster), a mini fridge, and a pile of dirty laundry. Spruce up a dormitory domicile with hand-me-downs from home, Craigslist finds, and these eight unique home accessories that’ll help it stand out from the others in the quad. 
 
For more collegiate greenness, MNN's fabulous student correspondents are out there reporting from state to state. 
 
Kikkerland Charging Station @ Kikkerland ($27)
First things first: get an energy-saving power strip (I recommend the Smart Strip). With that taken care of, Kikkerland’s Charging Station will add a verdant oasis to an otherwise blah dorm room while concealing unsightly chargers and cords for small gadgets.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Target Home Bamboo Jersey Sheet Set @ Target ($34.99)
Sized to fit dormitory beds (TwinXL) these jersey sheets are made from 60 percent bamboo and 40 percent cotton. Ebony is pictured but they're also available in colors like white, tan, blue and brown.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
100% Design’s Jiwari – Good Night Light @ Charles & Marie ($50)
This tiny LED lamp from Japan is basically the illuminating version of being tucked into bed by Mom. After you turn off your primary bedside lamp, this little guy automatically turns on for a brief while and casts a gentle glow before fading out again. The Good Night Light is reassuring, tranquil, enchanting … everything that life in a dormitory isn’t.
 
 
 
 
 
Kikkerland Endangered Species Erasers @ Kikkerland ($11)
Everyone makes mistakes, both romantically and academically, while in college. You can erase the latter with oversized erasers in the shape of endangered animals. The rhino is pictured; a polar bear and gorilla are also available. Two percent of sales from the erasers benefit The Center for Biological Diversity.
 
 
 
 
 
PBteen Classic Organic Bath Towels @ PBteen ($8 - $24)
Never fret again about your towels getting snagged by fellow dormmates in communal bathrooms. These 100 percent organic cotton terry towels – available as bath towels, hand towels and washcloths - can be monogrammed or personalized. No one will dare pilfer a towel that reads “Property of Rob” or  “I Belong to Joan.” Available in navy, coffee or white.
 
 
 
 
Recycled Newspaper Letter Holder @ Urban Outfitters ($24)
Stash all those gushing letters from the parentals along with various supplies and paperwork in this sectioned desktop organizer made from recycled Chinese newspaper coils.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MIO Paperforms V2 (12 tile pack @ MIO ($32)
Spruce up a drab dorm room with these 3-D wallpaper tiles that can be applied to walls with double-stick tape for an inexpensive, temporary space transformation. They’re made from 100 percent pre- and post-consumer waste paper. In addition to V2, other striking designs are available. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KOR Hydration Vessel @ A+R Store ($29.95)
Thirsty? Hold up to 750 ml of water, yes, water in these beautifully designed, dorm-appropriate, BPA-free bottles. Aside from their sleek, streamlined looks, one percent of sales from the bottles benefit various eco organizations. Available in green (The Wetlands Initiative), orange (The Container Recycling Institute), blue (Algalita Marine Research Foundation), and pink (Blue Planet Run). 
Previous Post
Yesteryear's analog, aglow
   Next Post
Home accessories never felt so good
You might also like:
Related Topics: Green Design, Green shopping

Comments

Follow this conversation
Add your comment
View:
  • All (0)

Add your comment

Sign in with one of these accounts or just add your comment below.
    Log in or
    create an account
     
    •  
Used only for emailed comments and will not be displayed with your post
Notify me with an email when other people comment on this article.
The posting of advertisement, profanity or personal attacks is prohibited.
Click here to review our Terms of Use

EDITORS' PICKS

tease to asteroids

tease to pet facials

tease to emotional eating

ADVERTISEMENT

NEWSLETTER

Mother Nature. Delivered

CONNECT WITH MNN

Follow @twitterapi
 Tumblr
 Google +

About Matt Hickman

Eco-living expert blogs about best ways to go green at home.

RSS feedMore about Matt

Recent Posts

  • Playing Catch up: 'Til Tuesday
  • Composting that cuppa: PG Tips launches tea bag recycling initiative
  • No, you're not hallucinating: Designer unveils wooden light bulb
+ Add this to my site
From our sponsor

Calculate the amount of water you use to wash dishes

New Ziploc® VersaGlass™ Containers make saving water and time a snap! more >

Photo gallery: 6 most pesky warm weather bugs

Don’t let annoying bugs ruin your outdoor fun. Keep insects out with plant-based... more >

Play the Glade Decor Scents Fragrance Photo Hunt

Test your skills of observation by spotting all five differences in each pair of... more >

Healthy home, happy family: Facts about SC Johnson products

Being a fifth generation family business gives SC Johnson a unique perspective.... more >

What’s Inside SC Johnson: A look at our product ingredients

As a family company, SC Johnson goes beyond industry standards in creating... more >
SC Johnson: A family company since 1886

Matt's BLOGROLL

Design BoomDwell
GOODCo.Design
Jetson GreenCurbed National
Core77TreeHugger
NY Times Home & GardenL.A. at Home

ADVERTISEMENT



Quick Links

  • About Us
  • Advisory Board
  • Editors' Blog
  • Press
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms of Service
  • WorldShares

MNN Tools

  • Advice
  • Blogs
  • Day in History
  • Eco-glossary
  • Infographics
  • Lists
  • Photos
  • Videos

Connect

  • Community
  • Contact Us
  • Contests
  • Idea Lab
  • Mixed Greens
  • Newsletters
  • Polls
  • RSS

Channels

  • Earth Matters
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Green Tech
  • Eco-Biz & Money
  • Your Home
  • Family
  • State Reports

Follow MNN

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Google+
  • StumbleUpon
 

Copyright © 2012 MNN Holdings, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Website by GLICK INTERACTIVE | Powered by CIRRACORE
 
SPONSORS