30 Dorm Room Essentials to Buy in 2022

2022-08-19 19:01:17 By : Mr. Peter Zhao

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Make the space feel just like home.

Moving into a dorm room is a big deal. It's not as simple as packing your favorite luggage set and heading to class. The typical dorm room comes with nothing more than a bed, a wardrobe, a dresser, and a desk, so you have to totally set up shop.

To make the often sterile space more homey, you'll need everything your average bedroom needs: comfy sheets and pillows. You'll also need decluttering solutions to make the space feel larger than it is: closet organizers, over-the-door hangers, and a rolling utility cart for miscellaneous items. And though it may not be obvious to newbies, it's helpful to have products that can help you build a makeshift kitchen of sorts, too. Think: a microwave, a mini fridge, and even a small set of dishes and silverware. Of course, it's nice to have some decor—pictures, string lights, and more—too.

The good news: You can find everything you need at all of the most popular retailers, from online giants like Amazon to brick-and-mortar stores like Walmart, where you can check out all of the must-haves in person. Bed, Bath & Beyond—one of the most popular outlets for dorm room essentials—also stocks big checklists to minimize the chance you'll forget something important.

Ready to shop until you drop and make your new digs just as comfy as the home you grew up in? Here, the functional and decor items parents and students alike say you can't live in a dorm room without.

Parents of freshmen might forget one important detail: dorm room beds are typically twin XL—just a bit longer than your standard twin. This bedding set, which includes a comfy goose down comforter and a matching pillow, fits the bill. Plus, it comes in over 20 colors for personalization.

Don't forget a set of sheets (or two or three to minimize laundry) to match. This microfiber set comes in all the same great colors as the complementary duvet cover and pillowcase.

Those plastic-covered beds aren't exactly fit for a king, but this soft memory foam topper will help make the sleeping space feel more luxurious. Simply pop it on top of the mattress, then stretch the sheet over the whole thing.

This comfortable pillow is suitable for back and side sleepers alike. It has the perfect loft to keep the spine in a neutral alignment on your side—or flip it over for a more rounded shape that's better for back sleepers.

This little gadget is invaluable. It'll help college kids with everything from getting to class on time, to keeping in touch with family back home, and staying on top of current events.

Dorm rooms are notoriously small, but this set of bed risers will lift your student's bed just enough to get some much-needed extra storage below it. With an extra three inches, they'll be able to fit pull-out drawers to stock things like extra food, out of season clothes, and other essentials.

Though large enough to accommodate whatever you want to place under the bed, these zippered storage containers are short enough to fit. Plus, they have handles on all sides, so you'll have no trouble accessing them.

On marathon study days, they'll undoubtedly want to spend some time in their bed. This lap desk provides a surface large and stable enough for a laptop, plus offers valuable storage space for a separate mouse and a phone.

Back support is just as important for those long study sessions in bed. Plus, it makes catching up on their favorite shows more comfortable, too. We love this option, since it's made of an ultra-comfy memory foam that molds to your body.

If they have to walk across the hall to shower, a caddy is an important item to have on hand. This one has eight pockets to fit all the essentials. And it's made out of a quick-drying mesh that won't trap water.

When you're sharing a bathroom with dozens of people, shower shoes will help keep your feet cleaner while you—yes—shower, but also brush your teeth and get ready for the day. This pair has grippy bottoms to prevent slips, plus dries fast.

Available in a wide range of colors, this set includes two bath towels, two hand towels, and two washcloths, so your student will have everything they need (and an extra on hand!). Just as importantly, they're super soft and absorbent, plus easy to clean.

A backpack-style hamper makes it easier to tote a full load to and from the laundry room. This one also has a mesh pocket to corral things like detergent and money for the machines.

Since you generally can't drill holes into dorm room walls, Command hooks are a must-have. This variety pack offers all you could need, from hooks for towels and jewelry to strips to hang pictures.

Outlets might not be located right where you want them to be, but college students rely on their phones for just about everything. An extra-long cable, like this 10-foot lightening cord, will ensure they're always powered up.

Using every extra inch of space will help make a small dorm room feel so much bigger. This organizer, which slips right over a standard door frame, has four deep shelves, plus four pockets. Use it for toiletries, accessories, or even food.

A small wardrobe is hardly enough for an entire school year's worth of clothes. But these genius hangers can help. Each one accommodates nine hangers, so you can fit more duds in the same amount of real estate—and still see everything without digging.

Opt for felt hangers—they're grippier, so clothes won't end up in a puddle on the closet floor. These have a nice, slim design to fit more, but can hold up to 10 pounds each.

Stash shoes out of the way and out of sight with this pair of under-the-bed organizers. The containers are short enough to slip under—even without risers—but hold 12 pairs each for a total of 24.

When your student has to get up for an early lecture or pull an all-nighter studying, they'll appreciate the convenience of this single-serve coffee maker. Just add water and hit brew—the machine delivers a 6- to 12-ounce cup in just minutes.

Pop this three-tired metal cart next to your mini fridge and microwave. It's the perfect spot for pantry staples college students love: mac and cheese, popcorn, ramen, and more.

They won't want to head to the dining hall every time a late-night craving strikes, but without a kitchen, a mini fridge is a must. This one has both a fridge and a freezer, as well as a crisper drawer and convenient side storage for their favorite beverages.

Utilitarian? Yes, but the cool mint color and retro design help make this necessary appliance a decor staple, too. It's just as functional as other options, with 7 auto cooking programs and 10 auto reheat programs.

This water bottle filters the water, so you won't have to worry about where you're filling up. It also has a convenient handle that makes carrying or clipping to a backpack a breeze.

They probably won't have room for a full suite of dishes and silverware, but this 28-piece set is a good option for quick meals and snacks here and there. As a nice bonus, the microwaveable-safe dishes are made of an environmentally friendly wheat straw.

Laptop, phone, TV, fan... there's a lot to plug in, even in a room as small as a dorm. This 15-foot power strip will afford you the ability to keep all of your devices plugged in so they're ready to work when you need them to.

A lot of dorm rooms don't have air-conditioning—and even those that do are often controlled by a whole-building system, making it hard to regulate the temperature. Stock a fan for nights when it's just a little too warm to get comfortable. This one has a slim design, so it won't add too much bulk to an already small room.

You don't need to subscribe to cable. Simply plug this tiny device into a TV's USB port to stream any number of services, from Hulu, to Netflix, to Amazon, and beyond.

Crumbs are inevitable, but this small dust buster will get the the job done in a flash. It even comes with a built-in crevice tool, so you can tackle hard-to-reach areas like in between your desk and the wall.

Cleaning wipes are also handy to keep your space tidy and germ-free. Use these bleach-free Clorox wipes to swipe everything from your desk to the doorknob.