The 12 best back-to-school things you can buy at Bed Bath and Beyond
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When I think of Bed Bath and Beyond it brings me back to moving into my college dorm room freshman year and running to the store to get much needed extra storage for the copious amount of things I unnecessarily brought. Basically, Bed Bath and Beyond is an essential stop for back-to-school storage and other necessities. Not to mention those 20% off coupons that make saving even easier, and the fact you can opt for curbside pickup if you’re avoiding going into stores
The back-to-school season may look a little different this year with virtual learning and the uncertainty of colleges reopening, but there are still a few items to invest in for school to make things feel a little more normal. While the big-box retailer doesn’t carry much school supplies or tech gadgets, there is a good selection of accessories and storage that is worth checking out. Here are the 12 best back-to-school items you can buy at Bed Bath and Beyond right now.
1. A personalized pencil pouch to store all your supplies
After buying all the necessary school supplies (pencils, pens, the works), you’re going to need somewhere to put it all. And what better place than a personalized pencil case? Reviewers like this butterfly themed one for younger children. Plus, they can proudly display their name, so they’ll never lose the case.
Get the Stephen Joseph Personalized Butterfly Pencil Case for $16.99
2. A whiteboard to organize your schedule
Whether you’re virtually learning or heading into the classroom, it’s important to keep track of all the due dates of your big assignments. That’s where a whiteboard calendar comes in. A calendar-style one is great for keeping track of due dates and future obligations, while a weekly planner is best for those who like their entire week laid out. Both these whiteboards stick directly to the wall, and can easily be removed later.
Get the WallPops! Removable Dry Erase White Board Weekly Planner for $9.99
Get the Metal-Framed Magnetic Dry Erase Board with Calendar Grid for $14.99
3. A planner to track all the assignments
Trying to remember all your assignments without writing them down is pretty futile—and you don’t want to be that person who shows up to class empty-handed. Bed Bath and Beyond has a few good options for 2020-21 planners. Reviewers like this no-frills one from TF Publishing, which has large grids for tracking daily assignments and a lined checklist section for your to-do list and reminders.
Get the TF Publishing July 2020 to June 2021 Charcoal 12-Month Planner for $9.99
Get the TF Publishing Blocked July 2020 to June 2021 Weekly/Monthly Planner for $15.99
4. A new backpack for storing supplies
Whether learning in the fall will be virtual or not, a new backpack can give students a sense of normalcy—and serve as a place to hold all their school supplies. Reviewers at Bed Bath and Beyond love this adorable zoo character backpack for elementary students, saying it has just enough room for their small school supplies. Older kids will prefer this bigger pack from Samsonite, which has three compartments: a laptop slot, a place for books, and a spot for smaller school supplies.
5. The best water bottle we’ve ever tested
Between classes, assignments, and extracurriculars, it can be challenging for students to stay hydrated throughout the day. A water bottle makes remembering to drink water much more manageable. Brita makes the best water bottle we’ve ever tested because it's insulated (keeping water ice cold throughout the day), holds 20 ounces of water, and has a filter, which is great if you're refilling your bottle with questionable fountain water.
Get the Brita Premium 20 oz. Filtering Stainless Steel Water Bottle for $31.99
6. One of our favorite lunch boxes
For those who eagerly pack their lunches the night before to avoid questionable cafeteria food, a lunch box is essential. To make sure your food is properly insulated, get one of our favorite lunch boxes: the PackIt Freezable Classic Lunch Box. Stored in the freezer overnight, it’s essentially a giant ice pack that keeps food exceptionally cold, which is why it topped our cold food-safe temperature test.
Get the PackIt Freezable Classic Lunch Box for $19.99
7. An ergonomic laptop desk
There are those of us who like working at a desk, and those of us who get our best work done on the couch or our beds. For the latter, a mini laptop desk can make working a little easier and prevent an overheated laptop from burning your legs. Reviews like this ergonomic one because it’s versatile and allows you to switch it to dozens of comfortable positions to work from. Plus, you can place it on top of a desk for a makeshift standing desk.
Get the Uncaged Ergonomics Workez Executive Adjustable Laptop Stand for $59.99
8. Over-the-door hangers for extra storage
If you’re going to be living in a small dorm room, you’re going to need to stretch out every inch of space. For example, over-the-door clothes hangers quickly transform your closet door into a coat rack. These ones from Spectrum are quite popular because, although they’re made of plastic, they’re still enough to hang a heavy winter coat. Though some reviewers note that it might be too thick to still close the door.
Get the Spectrum 2-pack Over-the-Door Clothes Hangers for $4.99
9. A shower caddy for easy transportation
Going to college also means sharing a bathroom with several people, and to make sure people are stealing dollops of shampoo, you’re going to want a shower caddy to easily transport your shower goods to and from your room. This waterproof shower tote is a great option because it has a ton of compartments, including a waterproof pouch for a smartphone—for those of us who need our phones in the shower. Plus, reviewers say it's the perfect size.
Get the Mesh Shower Tote for $9.99
10. Extra under-the-bed storage that pulls out
Trying to fit everything in your small dorm room closet can be a challenge, which is why you’ll need some extra bins for storage. I recommend these ones that pull out, making them a mini dresser that can fit right under a lofted bed. That way you won’t have to take out the entire bin and open it to get something out.
Get the Starplast Stacking Drawer for $17.99
11. A storage cart with three levels
Whether you need extra storage for toiletries in the bathroom or a place to hold small appliances and snacks in your dorm room, this storage cart has got you covered. It has three levels of open storage and it wheels around for easy placement. Reviewers recommend it for small apartments and small bathrooms, and particularly love that the bottom level has extra space to fit taller items.
Get the SALT 3-Tier Storage Cart for $39.99
12. A big pack of inexpensive hangers
Even if you’re not moving into a dorm room or new apartment, you could probably use a few more hangers. With more than 500 reviews and a 4.5-star rating, reviewers like this pack of 50. They claim they’re durable despite being made of plastic, and that clothes don’t slip off them.
Get the ORG Slimline 50-Count Flocked Suit Hangers for $24.99
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This article originally appeared on Reviewed.com: The 12 best back-to-school things you can buy at Bed Bath and Beyond
