Where to Shop Local for Dorm Decor and College Essentials

Sending a kid to college? Keep them comfortable, organized and stylish with these accessories for their home away from home.

female college student move in dorm. they are talking in the room — From cozy blankets and potted plants to jewel-toned totes, shopkeepers in and around Arlington, Virginia, have ideas for sprucing up a dorm room. (Adobe Stock image)

Know a college-bound student who’s down about a drab dorm room? Dress it up with a bright blanket. Combatting homesickness? Give them a mug with a friendly reminder that they are loved. Carrying toiletries to and from a shared bathroom? Cue a caddy, but make it cute. Whatever the concern about dorm life, the fashion-forward folks who run some of our area’s best boutiques have just the remedy.

Botanologica

Sure, some greenery makes a room look nice, but it can also boost your mental health. Sarah Orrison, the plant/gift shop’s owner, recommends a plant that’s low-maintenance and doesn’t need much light. “ZZ plants and Sansevieria are the perfect plants for beginners,” she says. “Not only can they tolerate lower light, but they like to be completely dry before you water them again (less is more with these green friends). They also help purify the air and remove toxins (win, win, win!).” Dorm dwellers with a green thumb can try a Silver Satin Pothos, which needs bright, indirect light and water once a week. // 817 W. Broad St., Falls Church

For when they need a gentle reminder (Courtesy photo)

Covet

Make sure your kiddo remembers there’s always someone thinking of them. The “Someone in Arlington Loves Me” mug ($16.95) is perfect for holding a hot beverage to wrap newly adult hands around, like a hug. Or go for the saying in a magnet version ($7) to stick on the dorm fridge. // 5140 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Bluemont)

Golden Fox Boutique

For those late-night study sessions or just those times that call for an extra snuggle, there’s the ChappyWrap. The 60-by-80-inch, machine-washable blankets come in reversible prints and a variety of colors to match every dorm room motif. It’s “perfect for every college student,” says Paula Frishman, who owns the shop at The Crossing Clarendon. // 2700 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)

- Advertisement -

Lemoncello Boutique

This Best of Arlington 2024 pick is family-owned and -operated, so the folks there know not only what’s in, but what today’s college students need. Manager Nicole Kahle recommends eNewton Game Day Bracelets, which are made with 14-karat gold-filled beads and come in 10 colors to show school spirit or just to stack for fun. A more practical choice is a tote, backpack or storage bin by Scout Bags, a D.C.-based brand. They come in “all shapes and sizes [and are] perfect for packing and organizing your dorm room,” Kahle says. // 4518 Cherry Hill Road, Arlington (Langston Boulevard)

The Preppy Pink Pony

Worried about your roomie—ahem—borrowing your stuff? Throw a monogram on it. Almost anything at this Best of Arlington 2024 winner can be customized with initials or even a full name. Owner Virginia Kennedy suggests a caddy ($45 with personalization) for organizing and toting around bathroom and shower supplies or a towel wrap. She also carries flowery Lilly Pulitzer backpacks with matching lunch boxes for students who want some spring in their fall step. // 1323 Chain Bridge Road, McLean