Shopping: Buy more space for the bathroom and dorm

If you have a bathroom with a pedestal sink and need more room for your stuff to get ready in the morning, I may have a solution for you: The Smart Sink Tray. Basically, it’s a sturdy plastic half-moon tray that fits over most sinks. You just open it up and set it down. It can remain on the sink while water is running (for example, while washing your hands) and measures 24 inches wide by 20 inches long.

Ideal for a dorm room where there’s a communal bathroom, it’s also lightweight enough to pack and carry for a trip where you know bathroom space is limited. It’s heat-resistant, too, so you can set your curling iron or blow dryer on it.

It’s made by Style Pro 31 and invented by founder and Super Bowl champion Bernard Pollard, who was released by the Tennessee Titans in March. He came up with the concept in 2012 when he realized he needed more space and organization for his stuff while getting ready in small hotel bathrooms while traveling.

Who knew a guy would come up with such a cool idea? Now, they’re used in hospitals and salons around the country. You can buy one for $24.99, plus shipping through amazon.com or stylepro31.com.

While I’m on the subject of redefining space in small places, it’s no surprise to see retailers on the march toward back-to-college supplies. World Market in Shiloh was rearranging new furniture when I stopped in Tuesday. Much of it was in neutral grays, blacks and tans — sturdy colors for college living. I especially liked the $119.99 Hairpin Desk in black. If you have a studio apartment, it could double as an eating area. The plastic molded chair, $69.99, brightens things up a bit, too. Both are sale prices good through July 26.

Need a few actual photos on display in your dorm room to remind you of home? Stick them on some cute wire holders atop metal or wood animal pedestals from World Market for $4.99 each. Or, attach a special greeting card or note to stave off homesickness.

I had sidewalk roller skates that could be adjusted to fit my growing feet. But nothing like what the Cardiff Skate Co. has created. These skates are uniquely designed to automatically adjust to your size when you slip your foot into them. And, unlike the four-wheeled, metal ones I wore, these are three-wheeled (like a tricycle) and made of durable plastic and rubber with a snug heel strap and a Velcro-like buckle that ratchets snug across your insole. The California company now sells them at Target stores in two styles, Cruiser or S1/S2, which have to do with shoe size for kids and adults and how much sue they would get. Prices are $79.99 and $119.99. One of the interesting things about them is that they can be shared by kids and adults, depending on shoe-size range. Another is that there are cool tricks for anyone who already likes to skate to learn, as well as stability for beginners. Check out the website and videos at cardiffskate.com. I found them at the Target store in West Belleville.

Here’s something any college student or busy adult can carry on a backpack, belt or keychain: The iHome Power Pebble 3,000 universal external battery. We’ve all had phones and tablets go dead on us because we forgot to charge them. This battery is so compact it comes on its own carabiner so you can hook it to whatever is most portable. It’s on sale through Saturday at Sports Authority in Fairview Heights for $19.99, regularly $29.99. It can provide up to 150 percent additional battery life, has an LED indicator that lets you know how much power is left and is compatible with all smartphones or tablets.

Body pillows are on sale through Sunday for $9.99 at Kohl’s in Fairview Heights. They make great bolster pillows for dorm room beds.

If you’re already scouting school supplies for elementary and high school students, Office Depot stores are having a 25-cent sale with no rain checks. On the list of items for a quarter are scissors, glue sticks, crayons (24-pack), highlighters, slider pencil boxes and Sharpies. Deal is good through Saturday.

This story was originally published July 16, 2015 at 5:51 AM with the headline "Shopping: Buy more space for the bathroom and dorm."