Okay, maybe I’m a bit of a nerd for this, but back to school is one of my favorite seasons. I always loved buying supplies, choosing outfits, dreaming up my schedule, and packing my backpack. I’m not a student anymore, so I’m living vicariously through all the bright-eyed college freshman descending on my town. Even though you couldn’t pay me enough to actually be 18 again, starting college is such an exciting time! Reader, if you’re starting college right now please enjoy it–for me!
I put together a back to school themed roundup of my favorite school supplies and dorm essentials, so if I can’t start a new semester in a few weeks at least I can shop as if I were!
Lars-Approved School Supplies
If you look at them the right way, school supplies are the educational version of craft supplies. At least I get excited about them as if they were. Here are some of my favorite ones:
Lars Back to School Shop
Since I love school supplies so much, we had to include a few in our shop, of course! For example, see these these back to school stickers, designed by my friend Michele Brummer Everett. They’d be the perfect addition to your water bottle, notebook, or laptop. For more back to school supplies on our shop, click here.
On the Blog
It turns out we also have quite a few back to school crafts for you to peruse on the blog! You can start with this versatile and oh so adorable pencil case, featuring our very own Spoonflower fabric. Don’t stop there! Another great addition to your back to school supply list is this DIY beeswax wrap and this reusable lunch sack. Oh, and I also put together a list of my current favorite laptop covers and stickers, which you can see here.
Favorites from Around the Web
Here are a whole host of school supplies we love from around the web. This includes notebooks, things to write with, water bottles, desk supplies, and more! We’ve split them up into categories for your convenience:
Planners, Calendars and Notebooks
Desk Organization and Supplies
Things to Write With
Stay Hydrated
Dorm Room Design
In the college town where I live, the end of August means lots of new students being dropped off at dorms for their first-ever foray into living outside their parents’ house. That means that there are LOTS of fresh-faced students moving into drab, depressing dorm rooms and shabby apartments. Check out this post full of rental-friendly interior design hacks to level up your space.
You also won’t want to miss the custom dorm room transformations we took on! See them here, here, and here. Basically, we applied the advice in the post above to make these formerly dull spaces full of color and life (see my thoughts on the importance of color here). It’s so important to fill your life with things that make you happy, and that starts with your living space! It’s amazing how such simple fixes can transform your mood and overall well-being.
Here are my favorite additions to any student housing situation:
Rugs
It’s amazing how the addition of an amazing rug can transform a room! Here are some options:
Pillows and Throws
Again, those pops of color really do the trick to make a room feel more homey and less bland.
Curtains
Another great way to add some color, curtains can also be a great statement piece for a room.
Lighting
As mentioned in this post, lighting can change everything.
Kitchen Essentials
We can’t post about dorm room decor without some kitchen essentials! You do have to live there, after all.
Bedding and Towels
Functional and practical are a must when it comes to bedding and towels, but who says they can’t be cute, too?
Other Misc. Dorm Room Essentials
Here are just a few more things to help add some personality to your dorm room:
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