43 Dorm Room Essentials For Freshman Year and Beyond

The latest tech gear will also make your college life a whole lot easier. So invest in a good printer (it’ll save you when you need to print out assignments, readings, or papers that must be handed in), an alarm clock, and a chic charging station (to charge your wireless earbuds, smartwatch, and cell phone all at once!). 

While newer dorms have A.C., some don’t have any, so we suggest snagging a desk fan to try to keep yourself cool during the summer. 

Dorm Room Bed Essentials

A good night’s sleep is imperative when it comes to waking up for that super early 8 AM lecture, so you’ll want to use the softest mattress pad (we favor the Lucid memory foam pick) to help you fall asleep fast. Place one on top of your dorm bed and prepare to sleep 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 like home. 

Dorm Room Bathroom Essentials

Regardless of whether your dorm room has a shower in it or you have a communal bathroom, you’re going to need a few items. Make sure to stock up on some Brooklinen super-plush bath towels, and cute shower shoes (make sure they have holes to drain the water, like the Doxila pick), and a warm robe (the modern waffle select is also lightweight). 

If you want to add a bit more pizzazz to the bathroom, you can go for an elevated shower caddy, like the UUjoly pick below. It has a soft wooden handle and 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 might be, storage containers can help. They’ll give everything a designated spot, which will help you stay organized in the long run. These under-bed storage containers are super compact and fit A TON. The StorageLAB set holds 60 liters ( which translates to more than 20 pieces of clothing). If you prefer a clear storage container, opt for the Underbex box from The Container Store. Each box has an easy-open, locking lid and come in cases of eight. 

Need somewhere to store your shoes?  We suggest going with a Whitmore hanging (you can easily attach it to the rod in a closet) or the Yamazaki standing shoe rack to make the most out of the limited space. And don’t forget about your study space, keep all your school supplies and assignments organized with this box set and magazine file from IKEA. The little smiley faces are too cute!

Dorm Room Cleaning Essentials 

Clean up all those chips you spilled on the floor and keep any dust or dirt at bay with this handy Black + Decker cordless duster vacuum. It works to remove hair, debris from carpets, furniture, and more. For bigger messes, we suggest going with the Bissell lightweight stick vacuum. It’s designed to work on hard floors and carpet, and can be converted into a hand vacuum! 

Dorm Decor Essentials

Make your dorm room your own with cute decorations like string lights from Amazon and a custom neon name sign from Etsy. Some dorm rooms also don’t have mirrors, so opt for a slim over-the-door version or one that you can secure onto a wall (the adhesive tile mirror won’t peel off any paint during the removal process). They won’t take up any space, and you’ll be able to do full-body ‘fit checks whenever needed.