You’ve got the dorm refrigerator, the TV set and the computer. What else does a college freshman need? Here are some ideas from home-improvement expert Lou Manfredini and Ace Hardware:
– A hammer and a box of nails or drywall anchors for hanging pictures, calendars and the like. If the dorm or apartment prohibits those, try double-sided tape or poster putty.
– A flashlight and several packages of batteries. Don’t forget batteries for other electronic devices too.
– Screwdrivers for assembling furniture and bookshelves.
– Multiple-outlet surge protectors for electronics.
– A 25-foot extension phone cord, which allows the phone to be placed anywhere in the room.
– Electrical wiring, extra cables and splitters for high-tech equipment.
– Large plastic storage containers that fit under the bed.
– Small appliances, such as a coffee maker and toaster oven, if they’re permitted.
– A desktop or standing fan.
– A small reading lamp.
– A long mirror to make a small room look bigger.
– A dry erase board to hang on the door.
– A stepstool for reaching high shelves.
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Edited by Cara DiPasquale (cdipasquale@tribune.com) and Kris Karnopp (kkarnopp@tribune.com)
