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Teen Vogue's Twentysomethings Guide is your go-to resource for the more confusing parts of going out on your own.
Going off to college is one of life's most exciting, nerve-wracking, and exhilarating experiences. Sure, there are unknowns ahead, but one thing is certain: You’ll need the best dorm room essentials to get you through each semester.
To make your life easier — and get you excited for what’s to come — we have curated a list of ideas for creating stylish and useful dorm room decor (taking into account plenty of suggestions from TikTok and customer reviews). Every college student should start off the school year right. Whether you are a freshman or heading back to campus again, there's definitely a new item you can use to spruce up your small space.
In addition to coffee makers, printers, and mini-fridges, there are plenty of other dorm room essentials to put on your list. You'll need some comfy bedding (and a good mattress if you’re moving into an off-campus apartment) to make sure you get much-needed rest. We also suggest adding a fan to your shopping list because many older dorm buildings don’t have air conditioning.
To keep food fresh, storage containers will come in handy, and you'll need cleaning tools, chargers/power strips, and school supplies (we’ve also have separate lists of the best pens, backpacks and totes for you to try) And you'll also need some less glamorous items, like a laundry basket, trash can, and shower shoes.
The good news is you can snag these back-to-school basics and more for affordable prices from retailers such as Target or Amazon. So what are you waiting for? Take a look at the things you need to check off your college packing list now. Move-in day is coming soon enough!
Our Top Picks
- Best dorm room essential from Amazon: StorageLAB Underbed Storage Container, $34
- Best dorm room essential from Target: Deny Designs Emanuela Carratoni Vintage Floral Geometry Memory Foam Bath Mat, $66
- Best uncommon dorm room essential: AirCandy Inflatable Multicolored Glitter Chair, $50
- Best dorm room essentials set: DEVICO Portable Utensil Set, $10
- Best dorm room essential for food: Ziploc Endurables Container, $14
Dorm Living Essentials
There are a few items of daily living that are crucial to have in college. For example, you'll need a laundry basket, preferably one with wheels so you don't have to carry it around, like the Caroeas option below. And get some Tide to-go pens for quick stain cleanups too.
You'll want to hang up your clean clothes after you do your laundry, so get a stack of velvet-lined hangers, which will help prevent your clothes from slipping to the floor. You also can't go wrong with a handy-dandy steamer. Conair's handheld option will get rid of wrinkles in no time, meaning you'll look like the presentable adult you are.
The latest tech gear will also make college life a lot easier. Invest in a good printer, like the HP Deskjet 2755e all-in-one (which will save you when you need to print out assignments, reading material, or papers that will be handed in), an alarm clock, and a chic charging station to power up your wireless earbuds, smartwatch, and cell phone all at once.
We also suggest getting a desk fan to try to keep cool during the warmer months, especially if your dorm doesn't have air conditioning.
Dorm Room Bed Essentials
A good night's sleep is imperative if you're going to wake up for that super-early lecture, so you'll want the softest mattress pad to help you fall asleep fast, like our Lucid memory-foam pick below. Place one on top of your dorm bed and prepare to snooze soundly.
You can also deck out your twin bed with a cute duvet set from Urban Outfitters, ultra-cozy Brooklinen sheets, and memory-foam pillows to make your space feel more like home.
Dorm Room Bathroom Essentials
Whether your dorm room has a private shower or you have a communal bathroom, you're definitely going to need to stock up on towels, like Brooklinen's Super-Plush bath option, and a cute pair of shower shoes (make sure they have holes to drain the water, like our Doxila pick below).
If you want to add a bit more pizzazz to the bathroom, go for an elevated shower caddy, like our UUjoly choice below, which can carry quite a few products. You can also add a colorful bathmat to your favorite shower stall.
Dorm Room Storage Essentials
No matter how messy you are, storage containers can help. They enable you to create a designated spot for everything, which will help you stay organized in the long run. These under-the-bed storage containers are very compact but can still hold a ton of stuff. The StorageLab set below, for instance, holds 60 liters (which translates to more than 20 pieces of clothing). If you prefer a clear storage container, you can opt for the Under-bed Box from the Container Store.
Need somewhere to store your shoes? We suggest going with a Whitmor hanging shoe shelf or the Yamazaki standing rack to make the most of your limited space.
And don't forget about your study area. Keep school supplies and assignments organized with this box set and magazine file from Ikea. The little smiley faces are so cute!
Dorm Room Cleaning Essentials
Clean up all those chips you spilled on the floor, and keep dust and dirt at bay with this convenient Black+Decker cordless dust buster. For bigger messes, we suggest the Bissell Lightweight Stick Vacuum. It's designed to go to work on hard floors and carpet, and can even be converted into a handheld vacuum!
Dorm Decor Essentials
Make your dorm room your own with cute decorations, like string lights from Amazon or a custom neon-name sign from Etsy. We love the Lorien Stern tulip decals for a dorm's bare walls — you can place them anywhere to help brighten your space. The Strawbery Gradient Framed Art print will also capture the attention of anyone who enters your room.
Some dorm rooms don't come with mirrors, so look for a slim over-the-door version or one you can secure to a wall. The Edgewood Frame tile wall mirror, for example, is self-adhesive and won't peel off paint during the removal process. These options won't take up any floor space, and you'll be able to do full-body 'fit checks whenever needed.
An inflatable glitter chair, like our choice from AirCandy, is excellent for both lounging and studying. Plus, it'll look super-cute in your room and give friends an extra space to sit.
Of course you'll need a chair for your desk, and an armless swivel pick, like Yaheetech's adjustable option, won't take up too much space. Also consider a lamp for your desk, like our choice from Mubarek, which will come in handy during those late-night study sessions.
Dorm Room Kitchen Essentials
You won't need to always depend on the cafeteria if you have these kitchen basics in your room. The reusable Hydro Flask water bottle and Nespresso coffee maker will be useful when you're running out the door to class. And if you've got time to sip your coffee while still in your room, you'll love these mugs from Third Drawer Down.
You can store favorite snacks like yogurt, ice cream, and other cold foods in a handy-dandy Ziploc Endurables container. And a set of portable utensils will save you from walking all the way to the dining hall to grab some plastic alternatives.
Whip up smoothies, dips, soups, and more in the easy-to-use WantJoin Pro-Blender, or cook a simple homemade meal in the Instant Pot. If you've got access to a community kitchen, you can refill your water bottles using the Brita water dispenser, which helps filter out toxic chemicals such as lead, chlorine, and mercury.
School Supplies
Count on some good ol' school supplies to help you get studying done. Think academic planners, (like our too-cute Bando pick), office supply kits (this Amazon set comes with 123 pieces!), and more. You can jot down notes, write manifestations, or set your goals on the Samsung Galaxy tablet, and carry your laptop to class in Urban Outfitters' adorable puffer sleeve.
