Student Housing Business is the voice of the student housing industry.
Issue link: https://studenthousingbusiness.epubxp.com/i/564824
FURNITURE JULY/AUGUST 2015 STUDENT HOUSING BUSINESS .COM 64 www.uloft.com/blog MAKERS OF COOL FURNITURE TM Look for us at NMHC - Booth 406 September 28 - 30, 2015 Visit Our World Headquarters 2588 Jannetides Blvd., Greenfield, IN 46140 Or visit us online @ www.uloft.com 800.423.LOFT (5638) | 317.866.LOFT (5638) The Uptown Series Kessler Silver steel with Cafelle laminate "What we hear more and more is students want connectivity of some sort, and we have responded to that," Christian says. "Last year, we put the option to have USB chargers and AC outlets in every single item we carry." Technology and student lifestyle is top of mind for University Furnishings, too, which is introducing outlets and USB connection-ready pieces to its lines. "Students are very focused on technology, and as technology advances, so should the furniture around it," says Dougan. "Desks, for example, are getting smaller due to smaller laptops and iPads, and TV stands are narrower due to the screens going from tube to plasma to now LCD and LEDs." Operators are looking to technology-focused design and smart furniture, like these, to entice students to their properties. "Technology has played a big role at Homestead," Formica says. "The biggest focus when we look at common area space is smart furniture. Are there USB plug-ins on all the couches? Are there outlets strategically placed in the fooring throughout the development? It's something that we're looking at even in our current stabilized properties." Looking ahead, companies should continue to adapt furniture and living spaces that cater to Millennials and how they want to live — both on campus and of. CORT, for example, recently launched a furni- ture rental program for residence life staf that is elevating on-campus furniture in a whole new way. Already in place at three universities and scheduled for many more, the program allows live-in staf to pick their own furniture from CORT for their on-campus homes. The inspiration came in part from Gray's experiences living on campus. "In one room, I had three dressers," she says. "It was a hodge- podge of furniture that was selected for me in advance." As part of CORT's program, residence life staf also has the option to buy the furniture they love directly from CORT once their uni- versity contract expires. "It's all about being able to create a home for staf on campus," says Gray. "It's truly geared toward them. It's become a beneft — and recruiting tool — for the universities." Of campus, as the competition continues to tighten with more properties coming to mar- ket, the key to success for furniture companies and operators alike is delivering high-quality products that speak to today's students. "The type of furniture on a property refects the values of that management company, and that infuences the decisions we know Millennials make," Goldman says. "It's not only dollars and sense to them. They are mak- ing decisions based on how they feel." SHB Furniture by Function First. Furniture by Blue Furniture Solutions.