Dorm decorating

Kaylan Dilts and Stacey Tatum are planning their first dorm room. It's a rite of passage for rising college freshmen across the country at this time of year.

The two Grace Academy graduates will be roommates at Bryan College, in Dayton, Tenn., which they are attending on sports scholarships. Miss Dilts said while they haven't received a room assignment yet, they know they'll be in a traditional dorm room with twin beds and a community bath up the hall.

"Before we knew we were rooming together, Stacey already had a mini-refrigerator and microwave. I'm bringing the TV," Miss Dilts said.

Miss Tatum said she has begun gathering space-saving items.

"My neighbor brought me a night stand that holds dirty laundry inside," she said. "I've bought an area rug because the floor will be cold, and I'm getting shelves to stack things on and an over-the-door hanging shoe rack."

The pair's dorm plans are on target, according to Liz Folse, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga area coordinator for south campus housing.

"The important thing is for roommates to talk and coordinate who is bringing what," Ms. Folse said. "Some residence halls don't provide a microwave, so it's smart to talk to roommates and decide who is bringing one instead of getting to campus and having four microwaves.

"Also, decide before arriving whether you want to share pots and pans or everyone bring their own (if living in a suite or apartment)," she said. "In the refrigerator, set expectations of how much space each roommate can have so everybody's food fits the area provided."

Ms. Folse gave a rundown of what freshmen really need and things to just leave at home. We've included suggestions on where to find some of them.

THE MUST-HAVES

* Sheets, blankets, towels, pillow, washcloths, mattress cover. Consider a bed-in-a-bag, which includes color-coordinated sheets and spread (Bed Bath & Beyond, $79.99). Remember sheets should be extra-long twin size.

* Shallow, heavy-plastic boxes with lids for under-bed storage. (Wal-Mart Sterilite underbed storage box, $13.)

* A file cabinet that will fit under the desk, with a lock to protect any personal papers inside.

* An over-the-door hanging mirror. (Wal-Mart, $15).

* An over-the-door hanging rack for shoes. (Bed Bath & Beyond, $29.99.)

Ms. Folse suggests keeping shoe boxes as they can hold small items and stack well on either the closet floor or shelf.

* A free-standing shelf that fits over the bathroom toilet if you are living in a dorm apartment or suite. (Bed Bath & Beyond, $29.99.)

"You have to be aware of what size the towel bar is to make sure the shelf fits above it. Wait to measure the space until you get to campus before buying one," Ms. Folse suggests.

* Plastic shower baskets with handles for holding toiletries in the bath or carrying toiletries down the hall to the bath.

If living in a suite, Ms. Folse suggests each roommate have her own basket in the bath to keep makeup, perfumes and such separated.

* Butterfly chairs or oversized bean bags for extra seating. (Folding saucer chair, Wal-Mart, $19.)

"At UTC, everybody has a couch and chair, so if you feel like you need more seating, butterfly chairs can be closed and put in a corner when not being used," Ms. Folse said.

* Pop-up laundry hampers, preferably with wheels so you can roll, not lug, the bag to the laundry room. (Beth Bath & Beyond, $19.99.)

* Cleaning supplies, such as mops and brooms and cleansers. (Eureka stick vacuums, Wal-Mart, $15)

"All campuses inspect rooms periodically to make sure you are keeping them up. Once you move in, you're responsible for keeping it clean," Ms. Folse said.

LEAVE AT HOME

* Medusa lamps, a floor lamp with multiple lighting branches that are flexible so they may be positioned as the owner wishes.

"They are in all the circulars and really popular, but they are considered a fire hazard and we can't have them in the residence hall," Ms. Folse said. "A lot of times there is plastic around the bulbs, and when they get hot, they melt. Or, students use them as coat hangers and leave a light on with a shirt over it.

"We haven't had a fire on UTC's campus due to them, but we've heard of other campuses that have. So our management office no longer allows them in rooms. If you come to campus with one, we'll ask you to remove it."

* Clothes for the entire year. Bring one season, and swap for winter clothes at Thanksgiving or Christmas break.

* Candles; however flameless, battery-operated candles are usually permitted.

* Pets. Ms. Folse said UTC will allow a small aquarium, but it must contain fish, not lizards or frogs.

* Alcohol, drugs, weapons, fireworks and paintball guns.