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Going to college is scary because, for many, it’ll be the first time that they’re living away from their parents. It’ll also be the first time that they have to furnish their own home—even if that home is a tiny dorm room. To make moving away for college a little less overwhelming, it’d be wise to be as prepared as possible. One of the most time-consuming tasks leading up to your university journey is figuring out exactly what you need to make university housing your new home. To take some of the work off your plate, we rounded up the best dorm room essentials.
Our goal is to make the high-school-senior-to-first-year-college-student transition as seamless as possible. To that end, you’ll see that our list has products across alllllll the categories—including bathroom, bedding, kitchen, and studying. Within those groups, you’ll see more than a dozen products that we think will make your life easier. For instance, many dorm rooms don’t have any cabinet space in the bathroom. A caddy with a handle and different cubbies for all of your shower products would no doubt be worth the investment.
Keep reading for our official list of the 21 best dorm room essentials.
Best Dorm Bathroom Essentials
Toilet Paper: Who Gives a Crap 100% Bamboo Toilet Paper (Poetry Edition), $44+
Robe: Berkshire Homewear Wellsoft Shawl Collar Robe, $40 (was $48)
Shower Caddy: Fammart Shower Caddy
, $13
Shower Sandals: LM Shower Slippers
, $13
Best Bedding & Sleep Dorm Essentials
Sheets: Lux Decor Bedding Sheets, $32 (was $35) for Twin XL
Mattress Topper: Linenspa Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper
, $32 (was $43)
Bed Rest Pillow: Nestl Reading Pillow
, $38 (was $60)
Sleeping Mask: Lulusilk Store Mulberry Silk Sleep Eye Mask
, $10
Best Laundry Dorm Essentials
Hamper: Household Essentials Rolling Pop-Up Hamper
, $36
Laundry Detergent: Branch Basics Laundry Kit, $69
Best Kitchen Dorm Essentials
Microwave: Insignia Compact Microwave, $50 (was $80)
Mini Fridge: Frigidaire Mini Fridge
, $239
Hot Pot: Dezin Electric Hot Pot With Steamer
, $40
Water Filter: Brita Metro Water Filter Pitcher
, $19 (was $26)
Best Storage & Desk Dorm Essentials
Under-Bed Storage: Amazon Basics Under-Bed Storage Container Bags
, $15
Calendar: U Brands Undated 18-Month Desktop Calendar, $10
Stationery Organizer: Marbrasse Organizer With Drawers
, $12 (was $15)
Power Strip: Mifaso Power Strip Surge Protector
, $13 (was $19)
Chair Organizer: Dormify Over-the-Chair Organizer White, $35
Best Dorm Decor Essentials
String Lights: Hxweiye String Lights With Photo Clips
, $10 (was $14)
Storage Ottoman: B FSOBEIIALEO Flower Storage Ottoman Cube
, $29
Best Studying Essentials
Noise-Canceling Headphones: Soundcore Anker Life Noise-Canceling Headphones
, $55 (was $66)
Lap Desk: Amaredom Desk and Tray Bed Table
, $40
Backpack: The North Face Women’s Jester Luxe Backpack, $80
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Best Dorm Room Essentials
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Who Gives a Crap Toilet Paper
Who Gives a Crap, 100% Bamboo Toilet Paper (Poetry Edition), 24 rollsOn Sale 0% offDid you know that you need buy your own TP in college? If you want to go the earth-friendly, biodegradable route, we love Who Gives a Crap, which makes wiping…fun? Especially with this limited-edition Poetry Edition, which features boxes of TP rolls with three words per roll and 48 unique words to play with while you’re doing your business. Is it necessary? Nah. Is it entertaining while you do your business and is fodder for conversation with your roommates? Absolutely. -
Berkshire Homewear Wellsoft Shawl Collar Robe
Berkshire Homewear, Wellsoft Shawl Collar RobeOn Sale 17% offThis soft and cozy robe is perfect for lounging, walking over to shared bathrooms, or wearing while getting ready for a night out. You absolutely need a few robes to get you through the year, and this one is cute, luxe, and not super expensive. Just make sure to air dry it so that it doesn’t lose its fluffiness. -
Household Essentials Roll-Up Hamper
Household Essentials Rolling Pop Up HamperHear us out: We know this hamper
isn’t the most visually pleasing. However, what it lacks in aesthetic it makes up for in functionality and convenience. Allow us to explain. Not only does this hamper have wheels on it, it’s also got a strap in case you want to swing your laundry bag over your shoulder. Additionally, there’s more than enough space for a lot of dirty clothes since this measures 18 inches by 18 inches by 9 inches. When you’re all done washing, you can empty out your hamper and completely collapse it. If you’re looking for a great hamper that’ll save you tons of space, look no further than this Household Essentials option. -
LM Shower Slippers
LM, Women Shower SlippersIf you’re thinking that you’ll only need shower sandals
if you have a communal bathroom, think again. Even if you have an en-suite bathroom shared with four people, that’s a lot of product buildup. And that’ll make the floor quite slippery. That’s where these LM Shower Slippers come in. They’re non-slip and made completely of ethylene vinyl acetate, which means they’re waterproof. This also means that they’re not really made for arch support. The slippers are, however, super lightweight and available in 20 colors. One thing to note here is that there are different sandal styles, so make sure you go through all of them before adding any to your cart. -
Mesh Shower Caddy
Fammart Mesh Shower CaddyThere are tons of shower caddies made of plastic, but these don’t always have all the storage and functionality of their mesh counterparts. For instance, this mesh shower caddy
has seven exterior pockets. The four pockets on the side are perfect for smaller products like toothpaste, hairbrushes, and razors. The larger pockets would be great for loofahs and washcloths. The large pocket on the inside is made for a towel or thin robe. We love that this’ll work whether you have an en-suite bathroom or communal showers down the hall. Plus, it’s available in black, gray, and lavender. -
Lulusilk Mulberry Silk Sleep Mask
LULUSILK Mulberry Silk Sleep Eye MaskIt’s highly likely that you and your roommate—or roommates—will be on different class schedules. This could also mean that you’re on different sleep schedules, and they may need the light even though it’s past your bedtime. That’s where this luxurious mulberry silk sleeping mask
comes in. It’s smooth as a cloud, but it’s also great at blocking out most of the light in an environment. The mask is available in black, blue, gray, pink, and teal. -
Nestl Reading Pillow
Nestl Reading Pillow Standard Bed PillowOn Sale 37% offIf there’s one thing I still remember about my college days it’s how much reading there was. On any given day, I could have between 50 and 150 pages of reading for my four classes. I didn’t have a bed rest pillow, but I sure wish I did. Reading and watching TV in bed would’ve been much cozier than leaning my back on my stiff headboard. This reading pillow
is made of memory foam and comes in 33 colors—like blue, black, pink, green, purple, and red. In addition to being comfortable, the pillow is functional. It has pockets on each armrest and a large pocket on the back. -
Linenspa Mattress Topper
LINENSPA Memory Foam Mattress Topper – Twin XL SizeOn Sale 26% offAlthough the mattresses in a dorm room aren’t paper thin, there’s much to be desired when you sleep on them—especially day after day. This memory foam mattress topper
is a perfect addition to worn-out beds because it’s super comfy. You can get it in two or three inches thick and with or without a white zippable cover. This is particularly great for folks who run hot, as there’s a cooling gel infused throughout the topper. -
Lux Decor Microfiber Bed Sheets
Lux Decor, Microfiber Bed SheetsOn Sale 9% offMost dorm rooms have standard twin beds in the shared spaces, but they might also be twin XL. The campus you chose should let you know which beds their housing department uses. Either way, though, we strongly recommend these Lux Decor Bedding sheets. They’re available in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king. They also come in 20 different colors. The four-piece twin and twin XL sets come with one fitted sheet, one flat sheet, and two pillowcases. The material is a highly durable, soft-brushed microfiber. -
The North Face Jetsetter Luxe Backpack
The North Face, Jester Luxe BackpackThe North Face might be most known for being an outdoor brand, but trust and believe that these backpacks do well with college students. I got one during my sophomore year of college, and it was still in heavy rotation 10 years later (read: they’re durable). Some standout features of this backpack: the laptop sleeve, the compartments for notebooks and pens, the side pockets for water bottles, and the chest buckle to take the load off your back. And there’s tons of space on the inside, too, so you can bring extra books for other classes. -
Lap Desk Tray Bed Table
Amaredom Laptop Bed Desk Tray Bed TableIn addition to functionality, we considered versatility when compiling this list of dorm room essentials—and this lap desk
is the perfect example. It’s great because it allows you to put your books on a desk while you’re in bed. We could’ve added something that goes directly on your lap, but we chose this desk-table hybrid so that you could also use it as a tray table when you want to unwind and watch your favorite TV show in bed while eating. There’s a built-in iPad holder as well as a cup holder. -
Soundcore Anker Life Wireless Headphones
Soundcore Anker Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling HeadphonesOn Sale 17% offQuick disclaimer: This Soundcore pick
isn’t top-of-the-line or state-of-the-art. That said, we picked them because they offer you a great result at a fraction of the price of, say, Bose or Beats headphones. According to the brand, this set reduces ambient noise by 90%, so they’d be great when you’re trying to study in a loud area of campus. You might also use these if your roommate has someone over and you don’t want to hear their conversation. These headphones are over-the-ear and come in blue, black, pink, and silver. -
Power Strip Surge Protector
Mifaso, Power Strip Surge ProtectorOn Sale 32% offThere’s a lot going on with this power strip
, but we mean that in the best way possible. For instance, you get a whopping eight wall plugs to use for your laptop or other plug-in chargers. You also get three USB ports and a USB-C port to plug in your phone or USB-powered electronics. The best part is that this puppy only measures about two and a half inches, so it doesn’t take up much space at all. The cord length comes in three sizes: five, 10, and 15 feet, and you can get this in black or white. -
Marbrasse Pen Organizer
Marbrasse Pen OrganizerOn Sale 20% offIn this compact organizer
, you’ll be able to store your notebooks, pens, erasers, sharpeners, sticky notes, and any other stationery you need as a newly minted college student. And since it’s less than eight inches by four inches by five inches, it’ll definitely fit on even the tiniest of desks. This organizer comes in eight different colors, so you can choose the one that’ll add your personality to the dorm room. We also love that Amazon lets you make this a bundle with the stationary you’ll need to put inside it. -
U Brands Undated 18-Month Desktop Calendar
U Brands, Undated 18-Month Desktop CalendarFor just under $10, this is my pick for the must-have dorm room essential. Perhaps it’s just me, but it was hard to keep up with a schedule during my first year of college. Before, there was always a bell that told me where I needed to be and when. At a university, everyone is in charge of knowing that for themselves. Having a desk calendar or planner with your classes, exams, holidays, and social events is an easy way to stay on track. -
String Lights
HXWEIYE 120LEDs Photo Clips String LightsOn Sale 29% offOne of the hardest adjustments for anyone going to college could be missing their friends and family from back home. We love these string lights
because they come with photo clips that allow you to display pictures of all the people you love. This pick is 40 feet long and available in a warm or cool white as well as a multicolor option. Regardless of which color you get, you’ll be able to switch between eight different modes. You can also choose between a USB-powered light or a battery-operated one, but we recommend the latter. After all, you don’t know where the closest plug will be. -
Amazon Basics Under Bed Storage
Amazon Basics Under Bed Fabric Zipper Storage Container BagsThe common theme in this list of dorm room essentials is simple: functional AF. We are well aware that dorm rooms are tiny, meaning that the amount of storage you get is… unideal. However, having lived in a small space or two, we also know that under-bed storage
should never be overlooked. With these Amazon Basics under-bed containers, you can store clothes that aren’t in season or an extra pair of sheets that you know you’ll need once the weather gets cooler. The containers come two to a pack and are available in two different sizes. -
Brita Water Filter
Brita Metro Water Filter PitcherOn Sale 27% offMost dorms may not be so fancy as to have water coolers on every floor. However, they definitely have sinks that provide access to tap water. And with this Brita filter
, you’ll feel comfortable drinking that water. The pitcher holds five to six cups and comes in three colors: red, turquoise, and white. We love this particular product because it has a flashing light that indicates when the filter needs to be replaced. For the record, Brita says you should be replacing it “every 40 gallons or about every two months.” -
Dezin Electric Hot Pot With Steamer
Dezin Hot Pot Electric with SteamerEven though many first-years will have a meal plan, it’s still a good idea to add an electric hot pot
to your list of dorm room essentials. Sure, you can have breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the dining commons, but what happens when you’re hungry and the eateries are closed? You reach for your hotpot! We love this Dezin hot pot because it’s electric and comes fully equipped with a steamer. (Though you could also get it without a steamer.) This pick is really compact, holding 1.5 liters in volume and measuring 16.5 inches by 8.23 inches by 5.24 inches. Most reviewers comment that this hot pot is great for a room with no kitchen, like a dorm room. -
Frigidaire Mini Fridge
Image Credit: Frigidaire Frigidaire Mini FridgeMany college students will tell you that having snacks on hand is mega convenient for late-night study seshes, and this fridge allows you to store it. What we also loved about this unit is that you can easily change the direction in which the door opens. For example, let’s say it opens to the left but your desk is blocking it. You can unscrew the door and put it on the other side so it opens to the right, unobstructed by your desk. This fridge measures about 17.5 inches by 18.7 inches by 27.4 inches, but make sure you can have a fridge in your dorm before buying. -
Insignia Compact Microwave
Insignia, Compact MicrowaveOn Sale 38% offWhen it comes to getting the best bang for your buck and microwaves, there’s no better option than the Insignia Compact Microwave. As its name indicates, it’s small enough to fit into a tight space like a dorm room, which is why we firmly believe it’s one of the best dorm room essentials. In case you need to ensure it fits in your dorm, the microwave measures approximately 10 inches by 17 inches by 12 inches. You’ll also want to make sure university housing will allow you to have a microwave before you purchase this. -
Branch Basics Laundry Detergent Kit
Branch Basics Laundry Detergent KitThe Branch Basics Laundry Detergent Kit is one of the best dorm investments you’ll make. This kit comes with everything you need to make a non-toxic laundry detergent, including The Concentrate (which you can also use to create surface spray, bathroom spray, and hand soap!) and a detergent bottle. While it is a little pricey up front, one bottle of The Concentrate equates to a whopping 192 loads of laundry, so it’s excellent value. The kit also include’s an Oxygen Boost formula that you can add to your laundry to target stains and brighten up your garments. -
B FSOBEIIALEO Flower Storage Ottoman Cube
B FSOBEIIALEO Flower Storage Ottoman CubeStorage ottomans are one of the best things to buy for a new dorm room because they are part storage, part seating. You can use options such as the B FSOBEIIALEO Flower Storage Ottoman Cube
to store items, as extra seating, a side table, a foot stool, or to give you a boost onto your dorm bed. This one comes in a fun flower shape and several different colors, so it adds some fun flair to your space, too. -
Dormify Over-the-Chair Organizer
Dormify Over-the-Chair OrganizerWhen decorating a dorm room, you need all of the storage space you can get. This Dormify Over-the-Chair Organizer is a great way to take advantage of unused space. It drapes conveniently over your desk chair with plenty of pockets for studying essentials.
