All dorm rooms are set up differently and each college has different styles. These suggestions are for traditional shared dorm rooms or suite style rooms. You can use some of these suggestions in apartment style dorms but I have left out much of the ...
Sections
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Living Area
Decor
Electronics & Appliances
Bathroom and Laundry
Desk/Workstation
Bedroom
Living Area
Easy to move around small rooms
Classic Refillable Bean Bag Chair for Kids and Adults
Extra storage is always needed
Upholstered Storage Ottoman
Cute chair that is foldable and easy for storage.
Urban Shop Ivory Saucer Chair with Gold Frame
This was great for putting books and also clothing storage in dorm rooms or apartments
The Big One® 2-Drawer Storage Bookcase
Blankets are always needed to cuddle up in the Winter or used to sit on to study outside or just seem to go everywhere
The Big One® Sherpa Blanket
Easiest way to communicate with roommate and put due dates
Amazon Basics Magnetic Dry Erase Board, 35x23
Futon couches are nice for limited space and having guests come stay. This one is actually pretty comfortable.
IULULU Futon Sofa Bed, Convertible Sleeper Couch
Allows for extra seating on floor but still comfortable
Milliard Reading Pillow with Shredded Memory Foam
Nice for limited space - the corner bookshelf is a lifesaver.
Corner Cube Bookshelf White - Room Essentials™
Very comfortable and easy to move
Bean Bag Loveseat Gray - Room Essentials™
Extra storage is a must - plus it is sturdy enough for extra seating
Shelton Tufted Top Storage Ottoman - Gray - Threshold™
Comfy gaming chair or just movable seating
Video Rocker Gaming Chair Black - The Crew Furniture
Futon couches are the best way for a couch to have versatility
Best Choice Products Modern Linen Convertible Futon Sofa Bed w/ Removable Armrests, Metal Legs, Cupholders
Bean Bag Chairs are nice and moveable for dorm rooms
5' Large Bean Bag Chair with Memory Foam Filling and Washable Cover - Relax Sacks
Adds ambience to the room
14.5" Lava Lamp Rose Gold - LAVA
Decor
The Floor Lamps with Charging Ports are a must have in my home. It has allowed for easy charging for electronics and storage in small spaces.
Floor Lamp Etagere Organizer Storage Shelf with 2 USB Charging Ports and Linen Shade Black - Simple Designs: Modern Pull Chain, ETL Listed
Make it feel like home
Dorm Sweet Dorm Doormat | Housewarming Gift | Student Name Doormat | Personalized Doormat |
Love string lights - these fairy string lights you can hang, put in mason jars, or behind a sheer curtain for whatever style you would like
Kennemer Battery Operated LED Fairy String Lights with Timer
Holds a lot of pictures but not too bulky on wall
MALDEN 9-opening Black Collage Frame
A door mirror was a lifesaver for my dorm
SCWF-GZ 47x14 Full Body Mirror Wall Mounted
Many dorms do not allow nails - these are a must for hanging
Command Medium & Large Picture Hanging Strips
Cute rug that goes with many color schemes
Ailsan Boho 2'X4.3 Cotton Woven Tufted Area Rug
Theme of my living space
Good Vibes Only Aloha Hand Gesture Pillow Case
Sometimes the big mirrors take up too much space or you cannot hang easily - this one can be hung from a command hook on the wall
17.5" Franc Round Hanging Wall Mirror with Metal Chain - Infinity Instruments
My friends loved switching up my sign in our room.
11" x 11" Plastic Slat Letterboard - Room Essentials™
Great to have in living room for extra blankets or just storage.
Sonoma Goods For Life® Rope Storage Bin
Storage is always a necessity and hard to come by in shared spaces.
11" Fabric Cube Storage Bin Black - Room Essentials™
Love these lamps with Shelves. Adds more storage and functionality to a small space
56"x11" Shelf Floor Lamp Black - Room Essentials™: Modern Standing Lamp with Pull Chain, ETL Listed
Electronics & Appliances
Single Serve - saved me lots of money from buying coffee on campus
I use my air fryer instead of an oven most days. Great for single meals
Ninja Crispi Portable Cooking System Sage Green - FN101SG
This blender is awesome and saves room. Not too loud either for roommates
BlendJet 2 Portable Blender
There are typically refilling stations for water bottles all over campus. Owalas are great because they keep temperature and are leak proof. I personally prefer the 24oz because it fits in my cupholder in my car. But the 32oz is great as well for a l...
Owala 24oz Stainless Steel FreeSip Water Bottle - In Good Company
Must have in dorm room
3.2 cu. ft. Compact Refrigerator Mini Dorm Small Fridge in Black with Freezer Reversible Door
Cute microwave. Many dorms have Wattage requirements - this one should always be allowed
0.7 cu. ft. 700-Watt Retro Countertop Microwave in Blue
Such a great microwave and I kept for my first apartment outside of the dorms. Lasted a long time.
1.2 cu. ft. Over the Counter Microwave in Stainless Steel with Sensor Cooking
Waterproof for the bathroom or outside. Has very good sound quality
JBL Flip 6 Portable Waterproof Speaker
This is nice for catching first memories on campus and for hanging photos in dorm
FujiFilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera Holiday Bundle - Sky Blue
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Power strips are a must since most dorms have limited amount of outlets. I like this one because it has usb outlets for phone chargers too
ALESTOR Power Strip, 12 Outlets, 4 USB, 6 Ft Cord
This saved room and outlet space
3 in 1 Wireless Charging Station for Apple Devices
Best little fan for the money. I have bought several throughout the years and have one on my side stand, one on my desk, and one in the living room.
Honeywell Turbo Force Table Air Circulator Fan
This size works really well and it is nice having freezer area for some frozen food or ice trays
Whirlpool 4.3 cu ft Mini Refrigerator Stainless Steel WH43S1E
Super lightweight. Never thought about Vacuuming until I was in my first dorms and we didn't have one.
Some of the first meals I learned to make was in the crock pot while I was in class. Also had first potluck events during college. 7oz is the perfect starter size
Crockpot™ Design To Shine 7-qt. Slow Cooker
Lasko is the go-to brand I use for fans. Definitely needed for dorms.
Lasko 3733 Box Fan White
I have several of these. Helped with Electricity bill but also has automatic turn off with temp of room and remote.
Lasko 5790 Portable Electric 1500 Watt Room Oscillating Ceramic Tower Space Heater with Remote, Adjustable Thermostat, Electronic Controls, and Timer
Iced Coffee Maker - love this single cup
Keurig® K-Iced™ Single-Serve Coffee Maker
I liked this one because it has USB ports as well
Surge Protector Power Strip, 8 Outlets, 4 USB Ports
Simple and unbreakable - yet inexpensive if something happens to them. Easy to clean
FOODLE Wheat Straw Dinnerware Sets for 4
This was much cheaper than buying bottled water. I could refill my water bottle easier with clean water
Brita Water Filter 6-Cup Denali Water Pitcher Dispenser with Standard Water Filter Cherry Blossom Pink
I have bad allergies and this helped with different allergens and germs in communal living.
Levoit Core Mini Air Purifier Gray: 3 Settings, Captures Mold & Pet Dander, Carbon Filter, 100-300 sq. ft., 2-Year Warranty
Bathroom and Laundry
Shower caddy dries fast if gets wet or has wet bottles. Can hold everything
Crooke Hanging Portable Shower Caddy
Rolling Laundry Hamper is a must
Rolling Laundry Hamper
Never thought of wraps until I had to share bathroom space
The Big One® Printed Bath Wrap
Get a few nice towels for your dorm.
Simply Vera Vera Wang Signature Bath Towel
This is lightweight and easy to carry
Household Essentials Pop-Up Laundry Hamper
Towel set with washcloths was nice. I bought 2 sets to be able to rotate.
Simply Vera Vera Wang Signature 6-piece Bath Towel Set
Helps with organizing and not getting items mixed up with roommates
