Community News

It's back to school time! For those of you heading to college -- or have kids doing so -- it's time to start stocking up on the items that can transform a dorm room or college apartment into a space that feels like a home.

Fortunately, the Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County ReStores in Langhorne and Chalfont have just about everything you need for your back-to-school furniture and décor shopping, all at great prices. The Bucks County ReStores keep 100,000 pounds of quality materials out of landfills each month while financially supporting Habitat for Humanity’s mission to build affordable homes for local families.

Check out all the great things to look for during your next trip to the Habitat Store:

1. Furniture

Filling your living space with places to sit, sleep and eat is one of the biggest challenges – and expenses – of living away at college. Habitat ReStore is here to help.

Whether you need a sofa, kitchen table, bed, dresser or all of the above, you’ll find a slew of gently used furniture options at both of our locations. Keep in mind that every store has a different inventory that changes daily based on donations from your community. Check back often to find exactly what you need and want.

2. Kitchen Appliances

In addition to the obvious necessities like utensils, cups and plates, you also may need many other kitchen accessories like a blender, toaster oven and the all-important coffee maker (for late-night study sessions). Though these items seem like relatively small purchases, they can add up quickly. We often carry a variety of kitchen gadgets at great prices!

3. Lighting

Many dorms are equipped with fluorescent lighting, which can prove harsh on the eyes. Pick up a lamp or two from the Habitat ReStore to reduce this harshness and provide your dorm room with a warm glow.

4. Washer and Dryer

If you’re living in an apartment without laundry facilities, you may need a washer and dryer. While this would ordinarily represent a large expense, check our stock of gently used washing machines and dryers to save you trips to the laundromat.

5. Storage

Dorm rooms and college apartments aren’t typically known for providing an abundance of space. The wide variety of items at Habitat ReStore give you a chance to creatively make great use of the space you do have available.

6. Art and other decorations

Blank walls provide a great opportunity to turn a generic dorm room or apartment into a space that is uniquely yours. However, purchasing artwork can quickly become expensive. We have a large variety of art at great prices. You can even turn some finds into your own art projects to produce your own unique work. For an example of how you can transform an old painting into something unique, take a look at number six on this list of creative DIY ideas and decorating tips for dorms.

7. Materials for DIY projects

Speaking of creating your own projects, sometimes the best ways to furnish and decorate your new living quarters are by making something altogether new. 

The possibilities for this one are nearly endless. See this HGTV article featuring 40 DIY dorm room ideas for inspiration. These ideas use a wide variety of materials you may be able to find at Habitat ReStore, including room dividers, wooden crates, book ends, rope, trunks and brass fittings. 
 
The Chalfont ReStore is located at 31 Oak Avenue, Suite 100, Chalfont, PA 18914 and is open Tuesday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The Langhorne location is located at 1337 E. Lincoln Highway, Langhorne, PA 19056 and is open Tuesday through Friday 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. To arrange a free donation pick-up, visit or call (215) 822-2708.

About Habitat Bucks

The mission of Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County (Habitat Bucks) is, “Building Communities, Empowering Families.”  Habitat Bucks has an open-door policy: All who believe that everyone deserves a decent, affordable place to live are welcome to volunteer to lend a helping hand.

The Habitat Bucks Homeownership Program provides an opportunity for low-income families to build strength, stability and self-reliance by partnering with Habitat. Habitat homebuyers contribute a minimum of 200 hours of sweat equity during the construction of their homes.

Since 1990, Habitat Bucks has built 101 affordable homes in Bucks County. Through their A Brush with Kindness home repair program, Habitat Bucks also makes repairs to the exterior of homes, including porch repair and installation of handicapped accessible ramps. Revenue from Habitat ReStores provides a source of sustainable funding for the construction and repair of homes.

For more information about Habitat Bucks, please call 215.822.2812.