101 Things You Need for Your Dorm
Create the perfect dorm room and home away from home with our favorite dorm products – 101 in all!
We’ve taken the guesswork out of shopping for your dorm. From the best organizational products and the comfiest mattress toppers to the coolest accessories and the extras you need to feel right at home, we’ve rounded up the best dorm products so you don’t have to!
FREE DORM CHECKLIST!
Download our FREE dorm checklist and the rest of our Ultimate Dorm Bundle to make shopping for your dorm easy and stress-free!
Download HERE!
Raising Teens Today may earn a small affiliate commission on some of the products listed on this page. For more information, please visit our privacy/disclosure page.
START WITH YOUR BED
Most dorm room beds, well… they totally stink! Make your bed a small slice of heaven with these bed essentials. (The only downside? You might have trouble crawling out of bed in the morning.)
3-Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper The BEST way to make a dorm bed cozy is to buy a comfortable 3-inch mattress topper. It’s a must have!
Sinkably Soft Hypoallergenic Pillow When it comes to buying a pillow – it’s personal. Buy a pillow that suits your specific sleeping style and needs.
Down Alternative Mattress Pad You can never have enough soft layers on a dorm bed. For added comfort layer this mattress pad over a 3-inch gel topper.
Waterproof Vinyl-Free Mattress Protector Protects against dust mites, fluids, perspiration, bacteria and allergens. 10-year warranty.
Twin XL Microfiber Hotel Luxury Sheet Set Soft sheets in a college dorm are a must. These are ultra-soft, stain and wrinkle resistant. And, they’re priced right!
Twin XL Luxurious Down Comforter This comforter is a small slice of heaven! Sinkably soft and comfortable!
Twin XL Microplush Velvet Fleece Blanket Perfect for snuggling up on those chilly nights in the dorm, this velvet fleece blanket will keep you toasty warm. Available in seven colors!
Corduroy Backrest Pillow This pillow is the perfect addition to any dorm bed! Perfect for studying, eating, relaxing or hanging out on your bed. Choose from six colors!
TAKE. MORE. NAPS. Pillow A dorm bed just insn’t complete without piles (and piles) of comfy pillows. Small, big, square, round – mix ’em up for a fun look that’s all your own!
Set of 4 Boho Style 18×18 Decorative Pillow Covers For the carefree boho child who loves a whimsical look, these boho style decorative pillows are the best!
2-Pack Luxury Faux Fur Pillow Covers These snuggably soft pillows will look adorable on her bed. Choose from 14 different colors!
Supersoft Corduroy Pillow Covers Available in more than 20 colors, these supersoft, comfortable and durable pillow covers are great for guys.
ORGANIZING YOUR DORM
Finding room in your dorm for all your stuff can be challenging. Take it from college kids who’ve been there (and moms who know), it’s all about buying the “right” organizational products.
Vertical Dresser Storage Tower This versatile storage unit is great for dorms. Use it as a nightstand, tuck it in a corner or put it in the closet for extra drawer space.
3-Drawer Organizer The key to an organized dorm is plenty of storage bins like this. Use these drawers for underbed storage or stack them in your closet to store clothing, food, or essentials.
Hanging 10-Shoe Organizer With space so incredibly tight in most dorms, this handy shoe organizer will keep all your shoes organized and in one place.
4-Tier Wall-Mounted Jewelry Organizer Keep all your jewelry neat and organized with this handy jewelry organizer. Mount to wall with Command Hooks.
10-Hook Accessory Hanger It’s easy to stay organized with this handy hanger! It’s great for hanging belts, scarves, purses or even necklaces.
Monogrammed Laundry Bag This laundry bag with handy pocket will make doing laundry a total breeze! Customize it with a ton of great thread and font colors.
Folding Storage Ottoman/Foot Rest Multi-functional organizational products are a must for dorms. This cool storage bin doubles up as extra seating. Choose from several colors.
Over-The-Door Organizer Make use of every ounce of space with this over-the-door organizer. Great for storing snacks, cleaning supplies, beauty/shower products or more.
The Ultimate Fridge Stand Add even more space to your dorm with this awesome fridge stand. Two drawers hold cups, plates, utensils and snacks. Holds up to 110 lbs.
Set of 6 Foldable Storage Cubes These foldable storage cubes are great for storing all the extras like medicine or cleaning supplies. Place them on a closet shelf or tuck them away under your bed.
Mini Adjustable Shelving Unit Create a coffee/snack bar with this cool adjustable shelving unit. Tuck your fridge beneath and you still have plenty of space above to store a mini microwave or anything else.
Command Strips Whether you use them to hang a wet towel, your backpack, a jacket or your shower caddy, Command strips will hold it all! Be sure to bring plenty in lots of different sizes!
A STUDY / DESK AREA THAT WORKS
Create a clean and organized desk area to make those late-night study sessions just a tad easier! (For a complete list of all the nitty gritty things you need for your desk area – like pencils, pens, paper clips and scissors – take a peek at our dorm checklist!)
Expandable Desktop Organizer Most colleges offer desktop organizers in the dorm. If yours doesn’t, this expandable organizer will give you all the added desk space you need.
6 Compartment Desk Organizer Keep all your pencils, pens, stapler, paper clips and other desk supplies neat and right within arm’s reach.
Mesh Drawer Desk Organizers like this one are perfect for keeping your desk area neat and orderly. Choose one with plenty of compartments so everything is easy to find.
LED Touch Control Study Lamp This techy lamp has it all. Five adjustable brightness levels, 3 color temperature modes – reading, relax and sleep – plus, the neck is completely adjustable.
Printed Cork Board Keep all your notes, favorite photos or to-do lists right where you can see them with this adorable printed cork board.
Canon PIXMA Wireless All-In-One Colored Printer While it’s not necessary to bring a printer to college, it sure is convenient! To cut down on costs, share the expense of ink and paper with your roommate.
Academic Weekly/Monthly Planner Never miss an assignment, a study session or a party with this weekly/monthly planner.
Decorative Folders Keep all your important files and paperwork neat and organized in fun file folders like these.
DORM FURNITURE
A few furniture “extras” can make your dorm feel much more like home!
Convertible Reclining Sofa/Bed Futon If you’re lofting your bed, add a futon below to give your dorm a cozy “homey” feeling. Plus, it gives visiting friends a place to chill out or crash for the night.
Comfortable Faux Fur Saucer Chair A super soft and comfortable chair like this one offers another place to relax, study or hang with friends. Choose from lots of different colors!
5-Position Adjustable Convertible Flip Chair This cool chair converts from a chair to a bed in seconds and offers 5 different seating/lounging positions. Great addition to any dorm!
Folding 11″ Stepstool Reaching the top of those high closet shelves can be tricky. This handy folding stepstool puts everything within reach.
The Ultimate Dorm Shelving Unit This cool space-saving shelving unit is sure to keep your dorm organized! Use to store and organize your fridge, microwave, television, books, cups, plates and so much more!
Adjustable Bed Risers When it comes to dorms, every ounce of space counts. Add extra underbed storage space with these adjustable bed risers. Lifts bed 3, 5 or 8 inches and can support up to 1300 pounds.
BATH SUPPLIES
Whether you have a bathroom in your dorm room or you’ll be sharing the community bathroom down the hall, here’s a few essentials you’ll need to add to your checklist!
6-Piece Towel Set Whether you buy white towels or colored to match your dorm colors, you’ll need at least 2 bath towels, 2 face towels and 2 washcloths. Choose from lots of colors!
Mesh Shower Caddy with 8 Large Pockets Keep shampoo, cream rinse, razor, shower gel and all your other toiletries together in this must-have convenient caddy.
Monogrammed Towel Spa Wrap Every girl in college could use a towel wrap! Choose your towel and thread color!
KITCHEN & COOKING SUPPLIES
You’d be surprised what delicious meals you can cook in a dorm! But, even if you’d much rather eat cold pizza than cook in your dorm, there’s plenty of quick snacks you can whip up in jiffy. But first, there’s a few things you’ll need. (We’ve listed the big stuff here. For all the nitty gritty kitchen supplies you need, glance over our dorm checklist!)
Black and Decker Mini Fridge with Freezer (2.5 Cubic Ft.) Some colleges supply the fridge, most don’t. Chat with your roomate before buying to make sure you don’t end up with two! Also, check with your college about fridge cubic feet. Some colleges have stipulations.
Kenmore Small Microwave Some colleges supply the microwave, most don’t. Chat with your roomate before buying so you don’t end up with two and always check with your college to verify allowable microwave size and wattage.
Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker This durable coffee maker is about as simple as it gets! The grab and go feature makes it easy to get out the door quickly and the simple lift basket makes for easy cleaning.
Brita Small 5-Cup Water Filter Pitcher This space efficient water filter pitcher reduces impurities found in tap water for better tasting water. Slim design is great for dorm rooms and first apartments.
Corningware 20-ounce Microwavable Bowl This handy bowl is great for making soup, coffee, tea, chili, oatmeal, hot cocoa or more! Microwave, refrigerator and freezer safe.
3-Piece Silicone Oven Mitt and Pot Holder The silicone on the mitt and pot holder ensures a solid grip when taking hot items out of the microwave. A must have in any dorm!
Nordic Ware 3-Piece Microwavable Dinnerware Set This 3-piece dinnerware set makes making dinner in a dorm a total breeze.
6-Piece Airtight Food Storage Containers Use these storage containers to store cereal, snacks, coffee, sugar or anything else.
Over-the-Fridge Storage Organizer Hang over mini fridge. One side has 3 pockets to keep silverware and plates organized. The other side has 8 handy pockets for storage.
Pizza Cutter Wheel Slicer No college dorm is complete without a pizza cutter – perfect for those late night pizza cravings!
Yeti Rambler 20-ounce with Slide Top For coffee or a cold drink on the go, this Yeti Rambler is a must for any college student.
LET'S GET TECHY
Get your dorm tech ready with these handy gadgets and accessories that make life in a dorm so much easier! (For more techy stuff you need for your dorm, check out our dorm checklist!)
Desktop Charging Station with Power Strip/Surge Protector This little gadget is perfect for your desk. Charge your phone, plug in your lamp and fan – all with one convenient gadget! Priced right, too!
Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker Wirelessly connect up to 3 smartphones or tablets to the speaker and take turns playing powerful stereo sound. Take it on the go – camping, hiking, or just hanging out on campus.
Bose Soundlink Wireless Headphones Designed for easy connectivity and seamless audio/video sync, these quality headphones will make you forget you’re in a dorm.
24-Inch LED Supersonic HDTV Having a television in your dorm is defnitely a luxury, but it sure makes it feel far more like home!
10-Ft, 3 Outlet Extension Cord with Power Surge Be sure to pack a few extension cords when packing up for your dorm! You’ll need them!
Echo Dot Smart Speaker with Alexa Ask Alexa a question, get the weather forecast, listen to music, make calls, set an alarm, and so much more! Alexa has 50,000+ skills!
Tzowla Water Resistant Anti-Theft College Backpack This techy backpack has a built-in USB charging port and a lock to prevent theft. Fits 15.6-inch laptop. Lifetime warranty, too!
Roku Express High Definition Streaming Media Player Plug this compact device into your TV to watch movies, television shows, live sports, news and more over the internet.
Personal Alarm Siren Whether you’re walking to class, coming home from a late-night study session or leaving a party, protect yourself with this personal screaming 130 decibel alarm.
White Noise Machine The soothing sound of the fan cancels out all the noise in your dorm and the noise down the hall. Dual speed and fully adjustable.
Book Safe with Combination Lock Keep your valuables safe in your dorm with this discreet safe that resembles an ordinary dictionary.
DORM DECOR THAT'S A REFLECTION OF YOU
Choosing your dorm theme, colors and accessories always starts with a hint of inspiration. For a few “good vibe” ideas, check out our favorites!
Hippie Bohemian Wall Tapestry We LOVE this tapestry! The neutral color pairs well with nearly any color scheme you choose for your dorm. Drape string lights around it for a romantic look that stands out from the rest!
Soft Faux Sheepskin Rug Dorms are stark and uninviting. Give your dorm a homey feeling by adding a soft and comfortable rug like this one.
Wooden Monogram Letters This wooden monogram wall hanging is an adorable addition to any girl’s dorm. Lots of colors to choose from so you can match it with your dorm colors!
Battery-Operated Clip String Lights Hang all your favorite photos, quotes, or anything else you want to remember with these clip string lights.
College Flag Wall Decor Show your collegiate spirit AND make a dramatic statement in your dorm with a cool college flag.
Neon Cactus Light When you set out to decorate your dorm, remember… it’s the little accessories that make all the difference!
Cinema Lightbox LED Marquee Write your own message and change it whenever you like with this fun cinema lightbox.
Window Curtain String Lights Create a dreamy dorm with these window curtain string lights. Hang on the wall or in a window!
“Call Mom” Pillowcase Never forget to call your mom with this fun “call mom” pillowcase. Fits standard and queen size pillows.
8×10 Make Up Lovers Wall Decor (Unframed) Any make up lover would love this 4-piece 8×10 collection of make up-inspired prints.
Light Up Letter Marquee This 12-inch light up letter marquee will illuminate your dorm and look great on a wall or shelf! Convenient on/off switch.
Personalized “Roomies” Picture Frame Besties are going to love this personalized “roomies” picture frame! Holds one 4×6 photo.
Blush and Gold Wall Organizer Keep all your favorite photos, memos, quotes and to-do lists within arm’s reach with this classy wall organizer.
“I Work Hard So My Cat Can Have Nice Things” Mousepad This hilarious mousepad is sure to put a smile on the cat-lovin’ college student!
Collegiate Metal Ring Decor Who wouldn’t absolutely LOVE this cool collegiate wall decor for their dorm? Seller has lots of different colleges to choose from, too!
Custom Football Wall Art You just can’t get any cooler than this custom football wall print! Seller has several colleges to choose from!
Personalized Dorm Door Sign Let everyone know whose dorm it is with this personalized (and totally adorable) dorm door sign. Fabulous price, too!
“Dorm Sweet Dorm” Doormat Add some character and a little sass to your home away from home with this doormat.
Resident Assistant Downloadable Printable Sign As the resident assistant, let everyone know where you are by hanging this clever and fun sign on your dorm door.
“Home Away from Home” Sign This sign would look as cute as can be on a wall or a desk in your dorm!
Custom Pet Pillow Missing your pet? You’ll feel right at home in your dorm with this personalized pet pillow.
Hand-Crafted Tufted Dorm Headboard Make your bed feel just like home with this custom handmade headboard. Seller has several to choose from!
“Live by the Sun, Love by the Moon” Tapestry We’re in love with this tapestry! Pairs with any dorm theme or colors. Choose your size.
THE EXTRAS
Living in the confines of a small dorm room can be challenging. Sometimes, it’s the little extras like a mini-vacuum, a fan or a clothes steamer than can make life easier and more convenient.
Black and Decker Mini Cordless Vacuum Keeping your dorm clean will be a breeze with this cordless mini vacuum. (Face it, they’ll never use a broom!)
Basic Toolkit You may not need it often, but when you do, this toolkit is very handy to have!
URPOWER Clothes Steamer Sometimes you’ll be required to wear something other than t-shirts and sweats that aren’t wrinkled. This steamer will do the trick!
8-Inch Oscillating Table Fan This space-saving oscillating fan is ideal for small dorm spaces – perfect to keep the air moving!
Adidas Defender Weekender Duffle Bag The #1 thing most college kids forget when they pack for college. Tons of colors to choose from.
Blackout Curtain Panels Sleep is revered in college! These blackout curtain panels make it easy to sleep day or night.
GermGuardian Air Purifier Avoid spending your entire first year of college sick with this air purifier that works to kill airborne germs, viruses and bacteria.
