Following the Sept. 28 university announcement that only first and second-year students will be able to obtain on-campus housing for the 2024-25 academic year, rising juniors and seniors will soon find themselves needing bed frames, frying pans, shower curtains and other home and apartment essentials to help prepare them for living off campus during the upcoming school year. Here is a list of places to look into for some cheaper supplies to help you prepare for this shift.
Facebook Marketplace
Available through Facebook, the Marketplace feature matches online sellers to interested buyers. With options to filter results by location, product condition and price, it’s a service that caters to your specific needs. The option to communicate directly through the platform allows for greater freedom in bargaining prices and easier planning for delivery or pickup compared to a typical online shopping experience. A dependable source for secondhand items, and with the added convenience of shopping from home, Facebook Marketplace has the potential to match any item you’ll need.
IKEA
With their nearest stores located 400 Alan Wood Rd., Conshohocken, PA 19428 and 2206 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19148, the IKEA brand successfully markets itself as an appealing stop for young adults looking to furnish a space for significantly less than the average retailer. They offer just about anything that a homeowner would desire in their famously large stores. With easily assembled items that travel well in your car or through their online delivery service, IKEA is a reliable resource for acquiring large furniture and smaller supplies that will leave your space coordinated and complete.
Thrifting
When faced with a need for large, expensive items like wardrobes, bed frames and other bulky purchases, turning to thrift stores is an easy way to save money as you assemble the decor for your new living space. Goodwill, located 5050 Parkside Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19131, and D&D Thrift Store, located 5456 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19139, are accessible options for both Hawk Hill and University City campuses. Each featuring a plethora of donated items available at bargain prices, a trip to the thrift shop is a smart choice for those aiming to furnish on a budget.
Target
Target features myriad options for smaller home fixings and items including all the necessary kitchen, bathroom and bedroom accessories. Located 4000 Monument Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19131, accessible through Hawk Hill Campus’ East Shuttle, and 2001 Pennsylvania Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19130, in reach for students on the UCity campus, Target provides a modern shopping experience to grab bath mats, curtains, dishes and your weekly groceries all in one place.
Ask around!
Friends, relatives, neighbors and graduating seniors you know can all become invaluable sources for filling up your new residence. Asking people who may be in the market to get rid of their old furniture and supplies cuts out a trip to a retail store. For people willing to spend some time going through contact lists, message boards and curbsides, finding affordable items that were already on their way out of their former owner’s home can be a worthwhile reward. Though not always a fool-proof option, the chance of finding that old kitchen table free of charge is too good to pass up.
