The Under-the-Radar West Elm Section Every College Student (or Parent) Should Know About
Back in my day, pretty much the only places to shop for college essentials were Bed Bath & Beyond (R.I.P.) and Target. Sure, I found everything I needed, but now incoming and current students arguably have it made in terms of cute twin XL bedding options, storage baskets, dorm art, and beyond. Even Dormify has since emerged as a one-stop back-to-school shopping spot. I’ve also noticed certain home brands, like Pottery Barn Teen, starting to set aside their own dedicated dorm curations, and I recently discovered that another of my go-to spots (surprisingly) followed suit — West Elm.
Turns out, West Elm has its own under-the-radar college shopping section of the site, complete with bedding, decor, storage solutions, bath staples, and more. Of course, you can expect the same modern, of-the-moment styles that the company’s known for, albeit here on a smaller scale catered to dorms and off-campus apartments. Price points do vary, but their selections feel relatively on par with competitor brands — and everything’s also stylish and functional enough to keep through graduation and beyond, which isn’t always the case elsewhere.
They’ve also provided an extensive checklist with specific product suggestions, but I picked out a few of my favorite West Elm college finds below — whether you’re stocking up for freshman year, prepping to decorate off-campus housing, or even browsing for your first post-grad apartment.
Looking for more dorm design ideas and inspiration? Check out Apartment Therapy’s new site, Dorm Therapy, which features personal recommendations and reflections from a team of student contributors.
