With the end of summer in sight and the Back to School season on the horizon, I began to reminisce on that special mix of anxiety and excitement that accompanied the first week of my freshman year of college . It was my first year living away from home and I arrived at the dorms armed with two Target bags, a million disposable masks (it was 2021), and a determination to thrive in this entirely new environment. Now, as a senior, I look back on that younger version of myself with a bit of pity and a lot of nostalgia. I had so much to learn!
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In the interest of passing on some hard earned wisdom, we at SheKnows have rounded up a list of dorm room essentials with the help of current college students. Whether you are a seasoned dorm room pro or a college newbie, there is a little something for everyone.
Dorm Bedding
Threshold 2" Cool Touch Memory Foam Mattress Topper
“Mattress toppers make your bed far more comfy.”- Jack, sophomore
$109
Buy Now Dorm mattresses are notoriously tough and inflexible, and if there is one thing we know about college it’s that you will be needing your sleep. This Threshold mattress topper from Target is not only supportive and cooling, it has a washable cover so you can feel fresh and comfortable all year long. Dorm beds are typically twins, so be sure to pick that option.
Threshold Boho Reversible Printed Comforter & Sham Set Bronze
$59
Buy Now The next college dorm essential has to be a comfortable and durable duvet . This Threshold set from Target includes a twin comforter and a matching pillow sham that are both reversible so you can switch up the look of your bed every once in a while. The material is cotton, ensuring that you will not overheat.
Clarissa Floral Vine Duvet Set
$89
Buy Now For another cute duvet and pillowcase set check out this one from Urban Outfitters. It boasts an extra soft weave that is sure to keep you comfortable and cozy.
Dreo Tower Fan for Bedroom
“A lot of dorms don’t come with AC, so it could be a great way to cool off.”- Caroline, senior
$70
Buy Now It may not be bedding, but a fan is a necessity for sleep, especially if your dorm has outdated air conditioning. This Dreo Tower Fan on Amazon is tall enough to reach a raised bed and rotates so you and your roommate can both reap the benefits.
Alaundra Tassels Reversible Throw Pillow (Set of 2)
“I love my throw pillows, they make my bed look more put together.” – Brianna, senior
$31
Buy Now
Throw pillows can be a great way to make your bed feel extra luxurious and fun, and these pillows from Wayfair are sure to do both. They have removable inserts for easy cleaning and come in a set so you can enjoy double the comfort. Plus, they have a bunch of cute color options.
Dorm Bathroom Essentials
Mesh Shower Caddy
“Convenient for carrying all of your shower necessities.” – Caroline, senior
$12 $24
50% off Buy Now If you share a bathroom, a shower caddy is a must-have for transporting your shower products. This particular one from Amazon features various pocket sizes to accommodate different items and is made of mesh to prevent water from pooling at the bottom. Additionally, it comes in a variety of adorable colors and includes a durable handle for easy hanging.
Tianca Super Soft Cotton Quick Dry Bath Towel (6 Piece Set)
$35 $50
30% off Buy Now
A good towel makes all the difference when it comes to showering, and these Latitude Run towels by Wayfair will not disappoint. This set includes two bath towels, washcloths, and hand towels, so you’ll always have a towel available, even on laundry day. They also include an antimicrobial treatment that keeps them smelling fresh for longer.
Niko Bath Mat
$39
Buy Now A colorful bath mat is a surefire way to brighten up a dorm bathroom and prevent you from tracking water through the hallways. These bath mats from Urban Outfitters are super absorbent and are sure to make your roommates smile. They are also machine washable for low maintenance cleaning, making them a true dorm necessity.
Non-Slip Shower Shoes
“Needed for the germs on the bathroom floor.” – Caroline, senior
$3 $4
25% off Buy Now For shared bathrooms, shower shoes are a college essential. These ones from Walmart are affordable, chic, and include drainage holes. They are anti-slip as well, making them perfect for the bathroom or hallways.
Dorm Kitchen
“My roommates and I relied on our mini fridge.” – Jack, sophomore
$180 $190
5% off Buy Now For the busy life of a college student, it is sometimes easier to keep snacks on hand rather than depend on the cafeteria. This mini fridge from Home Depot is spacious enough to store a variety of groceries whilst also being small enough to tuck into a corner. It has removable glass shelves for maximum storage efficiency and comes in a bunch of fun colors as well
Brita Water Filter
“I love my Brita so much because the water quality at my school is not great.” – Caroline, senior
$25
Buy Now Staying hydrated is key to being healthy and happy in college dorms. This Brita water dispenser from Target makes it easy with a light that indicates when the filter needs to be replaced. It works to filter out toxic chemicals that are sometimes found in tap water and is a classic college dorm essential.
Hydro Flash Wide Mouth Stainless Steel Water Bottle
“I bring my water bottle everywhere, I drink a lot of water because the straw feature makes it addicting.” – Stephanie, junior
$31 $45
31% off Buy Now This Hydro Flask water bottle on Amazon is another essential for staying hydrated. It has a handle for easy carrying to and from lectures and is leakproof, so you can toss it in your school bag without worrying about potential water damage. Plus, it’s more sustainable and cheaper than buying plastic water bottles.
Instant Vortex 2QT Mini Air Fryer
“I use my air fryer at least five times a week. It’s great for when you don’t have a full oven or just want to whip something up quickly.”- Brianna, senior
$58
Buy Now Cooking a five course meal in your dorm room may not be attainable, but with an air fryer easy and delicious meals can come together in no time. This Instant Vortex air fryer has four different settings so that aside from frying you can also bake, roast, and reheat. It’s easy to use and incredibly versatile, making it a necessity for dorm life.
ENLOY 20 Piece Silverware Set
“You need silverware. You might not think you do, but I had to run out and buy some my first week so that I didn’t have to eat microwave mac and cheese with my hands.”- Belle, senior
$17
Buy Now Sometimes, it’s the small items that become indispensable, like utensils. A utensil set can make dining in the dorms feel much more civilized. This Enloy silverware set on Amazon provides enough pieces so you won’t have to wash the same fork and knife repeatedly, and they come in some fun colors too.
Beast Mini Blender
“Great for making breakfast in the morning.” Caroline, senior
$99
Buy Now Running late to an early morning lecture? The Beast Health Mini Blender is not only compact and stylish, it comes with a drinking straw and lid so you can enjoy a healthy smoothie or protein shake on the go. It’s small enough to tuck into a cabinet and easy to clean as well, making it the perfect dorm appliance.
Dorm Storage
Brightroom Scrunchable Round Laundry Hamper Green Stitch Grid
$10
Buy Now Laundry is an undeniably daunting aspect of the dorms, but this laundry basket by Brightroom has handles for transporting to and from the laundry room. It also folds down which is essential for saving on storage space.
Yamazaki Tower Laundry Hamper
“Folding laundry baskets are great and convenient, they take up less space.” – Jack, sophomore
$50
Buy Now For those looking for something a little more high-tech, this Yamazaki laundry basket from Nordstrom stays open for dirty clothes and then is easily folded up when it’s time to take it to the laundry room. It has a bit more structure, and a more minimalist style.
HEYHOUSE Closet Organizers and Storage (Set of 6)
“Those closet spaces freshman year were so small that I had to get creative with finding ways to store my clothes. Vertical hangers are a good way to do that.” – Alex, senior
$14 $20
30% off Buy Now Dorms typically have limited closet space, which is why we love these closet organizers by Heyhouse on Amazon. They can position hangers horizontally or vertically which is great when you are sharing a closet with a roommate. They can also be used to dry clothes and are super durable, making them awesome to have on hand.
Skubb Storage Case
“I keep a lot of stuff under my bed, and storage is so much better than just stuffing it under there and letting it collect dust.”- Belle, senior.
$36
Buy Now Whether your bed is raised or closer to the ground, under bed storage is a dorm necessity. Ikea makes these thin and compact cases that even feature handles for easy removal.
Gorilla Grip Shoe Organizer
$17
Buy Now Rather than kick your shoes off by the door where they will undoubtedly accumulate we suggest this Gorilla Grip shoe organizer on Amazon. You can hang it over the back of a closet or bathroom door, making it a perfect space saving product. Not only are there enough pockets to fit all of your shoes and more, the pockets are clear so you can always see where everything is.
Brightroom 3-Tier Metal Utility Cart
$40
Buy Now This Brightroom cart from Target could be a bedside table, a snack cart, a bathroom organizer and so much more. It has three shelves for a variety of products and is on wheels, allowing for easy transportation from room to room, space to space. Plus, it’s small enough to fit in virtually any corner.
HomePop Storage Round Ottoman
“Poufs are another great form of storage for a smaller room, especially since I need as much storage as I can get.” – Caroline, senior
$90
Buy Now For more discreet storage, consider the HomePop Ottoman from Target . It can serve as a footstool, a seat, or an accent piece. The best part is its removable top, allowing you to store pillows or blankets inside. It’s compact enough to fit in limited spaces and stylish as well!
Command Medium Designer Hooks (Set of 2)
“I used command hooks for everything my Freshman year.”- Jack, sophomore
$3
Buy Now Dorm rooms are temporary spaces, so drilling holes in the walls is generally frowned upon. Instead, you can use Command Hooks , which are perfect for hanging bags, decorations, and various accessories. They leave no residue when it’s time to move out and can hold up to three pounds. Plus, these hooks sold by Walmart work on a variety of surfaces, allowing you to organize your bathroom, closet, and more.
Amazon Basics Rectangular 6-Outlet Power Strip
“There were only two outlets in my Freshman year dorm room, so a power strip was plugged into both.” – Carina, senior
$10
Buy Now This one from Amazon features a six-foot-long cord and six additional outlets. It also comes with surge protection, making it a must have-dorm supply. It’s a perfect solution to keep all your electronics running and you and your roommate happy.
Cleaning Supplies
Clorox Disinfecting Wipes Value Pack
“I buy these every August before going back to school, they cut my cleaning time in half.” – Alex, senior
$8 $10
20% off Buy Now Cleaning can be a hassle, especially when you are a busy student running from lecture to lecture. That’s why these Clorox disinfectant wipes are essential for dorm rooms. They remove dirt, kill germs, and can be used on a variety of surfaces quickly and easily. This pack has two scents, each having 75 wipes each, which hopefully will last through the year.
Clorox Free & Clear Multi Surface Cleaner
$5
Buy Now Walmart also carries this Clorox all purpose cleaner , which contains no bleach, dyes, or fragrances. As well as the wipes, it can be used on almost every surface without a lingering chemical smell left behind.
BISSELL CleanView Compact Upright Vacuum
“It’s an easier way to clean than sweeping and helps you get all the dirt out of your room. When I had friends over and their shoes tracked dirt into my room, I always wanted to vacuum.” – Stephanie, junior
$60
Buy Now Not to stereotype, but college students can be pretty messy. That’s why we recommend a vacuum that will simplify the cleaning process without taking too much time from your busy schedule. The Bissell Vacuum on Amazon is small enough to fit in a dorm room, has an easy to clean dust chamber, and even features a removable wand so that you can get all those corners and crevices debris free.
Afloia Air Purifier
“I bought an air purifier my first month and it made a huge difference, I didn’t have to clean as often because it was catching so much dust.” – Belle, senior
$70 $100
30% off Buy Now Getting sick in college is practically inevitable, but your odds are better with an air purifier which will filter everything from dust to odor to smoke. The Afloia air purifier on Amazon is small enough to tuck into a corner and offers seven different lighting options and will dim on sleep mode. It’s a dorm essential, especially for older buildings where moisture and debris are more likely to accumulate.
Carly Diffuser
“I used a mix of lavender and eucalyptus in my diffuser and my dorm always felt like a spa.” – Alex, senior
$50 $79
37% off Buy Now A diffuser is an excellent way to keep your dorm room smelling and feeling fresh. This sleek and minimalistic one from Urban Outfitters can be plugged in, so you won’t have to deal with batteries. It’s perfect for creating a calming atmosphere, and you can customize the scent to your liking. Most dorm buildings don’t allow candles as well, so this is a great alternative.
Dorm Room Decor
8 Ball Cherry Print Retro Wall Art
$16 $22
27% off Buy Now If there is one thing we want to emphasize, it’s that your dorm room should be a space where you feel comfortable and relaxed. Additionally, it should feel like you. Having a personalized space when you are living away from home can help ease transitions and minds. Decorations and little touches are a great way to do this, and we’ve linked some that we love whether you are looking for a pop of color or something more understated.
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