College students and their families will spend less this year than last, according to the National Retail Federation, but parents are expected to shell out an average $836.83 on apparel, electronics, dorm furnishings and other back-to-school items.

“The back-to-college market continues to grow, with specialty, discount, department, office supply and even drug stores luring students and their parents with attractive deals on everything from microwaveable food products to personal care items and of course, home furnishings,” said Matthew Shay, the federation’s president.

This generation is very focused on decorating their new living space, says Pam Goodfellow, consumer insights director for the federation. More students will live in off-campus housing, but they, too, are looking to spruce up their space.

Dorm and apartment furnishings is one of the only categories of spending that will see an increase, according to the federation’s annual survey.

For the men, video games and large TVs are a must-have for the dorm room. As for decorations, they, too, spend some time putting up posters, flags and athletic memorabilia.

“A lot of people try to make (their room) a retreat,” says Thomas Wheeless, a junior at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. “A lot of people are doing the scholarly aspect of college in the library or with study groups in a classroom. They are not studying in their bedrooms.”

After living on campus for two years, Thomas is moving into an apartment this year. Most of his living necessities from the dorm are coming with him, although he says he is heading to thrift stores to find some furniture, like a desk and a couch.

“There is a lot of stuff that is specifically marketed toward dorm rooms that I felt like I was suckered into the first year,” he says. “Mini fridges for your small space, shower totes. And I felt like I really didn’t end up needing any of that stuff.”

What you should do, he says, is get in contact with your roommates to work out a sharing plan for large items.

“One person can bring the fridge, another can bring the microwave, instead of trying to cram two of everything into the room,” he says. “Just talking beforehand can save a lot of time, money and frustration.”