When we were in college, shopping for back to school [1] was, well, let's just say it was a little uninspiring. Sure, there were fuzzy blacklight posters and stackable wire cube shelves that you could showcase your creative prowess with by building them out either horizontally or vertically (the options really were endless!), but any imagination you did have was immediately eclipsed by all of the dreary wood furniture the school dumped in your room. And even if you managed to procure something like a whimsical throw pillow, everyone in your hall probably had it too, ripping you of your talent. Shopping for back to school now, however, is like a gift from the decor deities.
We just had an exclusive first look at catalog images from Target's 2018 Back to College collection [2], and it's basically making us ooze with jealousy. It's rife with whimsical color — think macramé, pom-poms, and tassels — and fun graphics. There's a novelty cacti print that we're already sold on. As adults.
Just announced this morning on the brand's blog [3] is a thorough description of the collection, which includes Target-owned brands like Room Essentials, Opalhouse [4], Project 62 [5], and Heyday. Dedicated to helping students find everything they need, the retailer wanted to make it super easy for people to shop this season. "With our curated mix of Target-exclusive must-haves and national brands, guests are sure to find everything they need to start the school year feeling confident and prepared," said Mark Tritton, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer at Target. "And we're making the shopping experience easier than ever, with fast, convenient ways to help families shop on their terms, from new College Order Pickup [6] and 360-degree shoppable dorm rooms [7] on Target.com to School List Assist and more."
The collection is currently available to shop in stores and on Target.com.
Decorative Bookend
Decorative Bookend [8] ($15)
Butterfly Chair
Butterfly Chair [9] ($35)
Banana Bookends
Banana Bookends [10] ($15)
LED Neon Figural Cactus Novelty Table Lamp
LED Neon Figural Cactus Novelty Table Lamp [11] ($20)
Multi Striped Tufted Accent Rug
Multi Striped Tufted Accent Rug [12] ($30)
Double Hexagon Chair
Double Hexagon Chair [13] ($50)
Faux Succulent Plants
Faux Succulent Plants [14] ($15)
"Let's Ride" Bike Throw Pillow
"Let's Ride" Bike Throw Pillow [15] ($10)
DIY Light Box LED
DIY Light Box LED [16] ($20)
Marble Tufted Accent Rug in Blue
Marble Tufted Accent Rug in Blue [17] ($30)
Artificial Small Plant With Gold Pot
Artificial Small Plant With Gold Pot [18] ($8)
Shapes Tufted Accent Rug in Pink
Shapes Tufted Accent Rug in Pink [19] ($30)