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Dorm Items You Need This Year!
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items For my fellow college students, especially those starting their freshman year, these are some dorm decoration ideas for you. Also, you'll notice a lot of these are Etsy links. I believe in supporting small businesses and artisans, so I hope these are...
Sections
5
Newest Additions (Updated Sept 2025)
Appliances and Storage
Going Around
Room Decor
MOVING OUT!!!
Newest Additions (Updated Sept 2025)
New items I thought about more that I wanted to add into a separate area here.
I highly recommend an easy water bottle with a handle to carry around, especially if you are using a tote bag for school.
The Quencher Tumbler | 30+ colors!
Same idea as the Stanley, but a different brand. Both are extremely trendy right now!
Owala 40oz Tumbler | 19 colors!
Easy to carry around if you have a backpack or tote! Doesn't matter! I love the sandy shores color scheme that has a pastel sunset feel.
Owala 24oz FreeSip Stainless Steel Water Bottle - Sandy Shores
I HIGHLY recommend a thermos mug. This carried me throughout freshman and sophomore year when I was sick and needed a place to make hot tea or even miso soup. This also worked on keeping iced drinks cold as well!!!
Rambler® 20 oz Travel Mug
I thank my roommate SO MUCH for having this on hand. This came in really handy when I needed to make instant ramen, miso soup, and hot tea.
Electric Water Kettle - Stainless Steel: Tea Kettle, Water Heater, Overheat Protection, 360° Rotating Base
I kept the ones I wanted and sold the rest to my community for a profit. :) No affiliate link here, just the truth.
Vintage Wall Collage Kit - Cottagecore Decor
Appliances and Storage
Smaller appliances are typically allowed by dorms. Even if they're not, you can hide them during room inspections in your closet, as they are usually not allowed to search this area. Not that I'm endorsing rule-breaking… but even my RA told me that w...
So cute and one of the more affordable options I've found!! Really great for all sorts of reasons. I need to start using a shower cap this year because I'm getting my hair dyed red :)
Sephora | Just a Shower Cap
You'll need a mini air fryer like this. It's very time-efficient and saves you the pain of carrying everything down to a communal kitchen. My entire hall only had one kitchen on the 7th floor so it wasn't a fun time when I wanted to cook.
Chefman 4 QT Compact Air Fryer, Touchscreen
This is probably my lifesaver throughout college because you can actually cook more than just rice in these pots. My family has done shabu shabu in these before (LOL).
Find rice cooker recipes online that work for you, and you can do it all from your room!
Find rice cooker recipes online that work for you, and you can do it all from your room!
Micom 3 Cup Rice Cooker & Warmer: Zojirushi, 8 Settings, Automatic Keep Warm, Nonstick, Timer, Light Silver, 450W
Great way to store cooking materials and dishes in case you have to take everything to a communal kitchen. I regret not having this for my first two years of college when I was in the dorms, but I was too stubborn and thought I'd be fine without it. ...
Some people also use this for their makeup if they don't cook.
Some people also use this for their makeup if they don't cook.
3 Tier Metal Utility Cart White - Brightroom™: Rolling Storage Trolley with Wheels, Powder-Coated Steel, 31.3" Height
Don't get a laundry basket backpack. You'll lose your balance while walking around.
The simple Brightroom laundry basket will do you just fine!
The simple Brightroom laundry basket will do you just fine!
1.5bu Laundry Basket White - Brightroom™: Large Portable Clothes Hamper with Built-In Handles, 52.8L Capacity
I did need this! My room had accommodations, so there were no cabinets or shelves in order to be ADA compliant. I'm able-bodied, so I filled that extra space with storage cubes for my extra school supplies and meds. I put these in storage cubes (see ...
Poppin Large Storage Cubby
With no cabinets in my room, I needed to easily assemble a space for my items. I stored packaged food (chips, tea bags, etc), vitamins, craft supplies, laundry detergent, extra soaps, etc.
SONGMICS 12 Cube Storage Organizer Modular Storage Cube Bookshelf DIY Plastic Closet Storage Shelves, Black
I enjoyed the circular nature of the ice LOL. Also, way easier to fill than ice cube trays.
Wash it thoroughly upon its arrival until the silicone smell goes away.
Wash it thoroughly upon its arrival until the silicone smell goes away.
Silicone Ice Molds
Dorm water IS NOT for the weak. Many of my friends have their own shower filters because the water quality made their textured hair frizzy and drier.
This is more applicable to people with private bathrooms, unless you are fine with bringing the filter to and from your room every day.
This is more applicable to people with private bathrooms, unless you are fine with bringing the filter to and from your room every day.
20 Stage Luxury Filtered Shower Head Set
For private bathrooms!
Three Tier Over the Shower Caddy Frosted - Room Essentials™: Polypropylene, Rust-Resistant, 26" High
For communal bathrooms!
Frosted Bath Caddy - Brightroom™
I told myself for two years that I was fine without a mattress topper (because I was), but in all reality, life was much more comfortable when I went to my boyfriend's dorm and HE had one… Which is also the reason I went over to him more than he came...
He is hilariously going to buy me one as part of an anniversary gift.
He is hilariously going to buy me one as part of an anniversary gift.
3 Inch Mattress Topper, Queen Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper in a Box - Walmart.com
Luxe Turbosonic Hair Dryer
Typically candles are not allowed in dorm spaces, but you can purchase a candle warmer to avoid the candle lighting.
Candle Lamp Warmer White Dome - Room Essentials™
Going Around
Essentials for getting around your college campus and beyond!
You'll need this for college game day or literally any other concert near you! I don't really care that people can see through my bag. This was helpful for me when I went to indoors events and needed a place to store the jacket I came in with.
Stadium And Concerts Approved Clear Tote Bags
Gonna be so real, as a female, pepper spray is essential nowadays. Especially when I'm traveling alone, because it has to happen sometimes. I have it on my lanyard at all times. It is very visible to anybody who comes near me.
Because pepper spray is not allowed through TSA, I have to buy multiple a year when I'm going back and forth from HNL to SEA. So, at the end of the year I throw away the old one and buy a new one at the start. This doesn't even have an affiliate link...
Because pepper spray is not allowed through TSA, I have to buy multiple a year when I'm going back and forth from HNL to SEA. So, at the end of the year I throw away the old one and buy a new one at the start. This doesn't even have an affiliate link...
Mighty Discreet Pepper Spray, 2-Pack, Lavender and Soft Pink
GET A LANYARD. You can hook your pepper spray onto it and even your room keys.
You have to pay a fee if you lose your keys so do keep them on a lanyard.
You have to pay a fee if you lose your keys so do keep them on a lanyard.
Beaded Lanyard
Sooo cute and you can buy a matching scrunchie if you like.
Scrunchie Lanyard
I love the color palette here, these could match many outfits.
Macrame Lanyard
I can't promise this will be my last lanyard recommendation… is it obvious I like them? This one is definitely my favorite out of all the options.
I personally have a lanyard that's affiliated with my university, but for those of you who don't want that, this is a great option!
I personally have a lanyard that's affiliated with my university, but for those of you who don't want that, this is a great option!
Japanese Fabric Lanyard
Pop it in and out of the freezer when you need it to take your lunch around!
Especially with a cooler bag.
Especially with a cooler bag.
True Reusable Ice Pack, Soft Flexible Freezer Gel Cooling Mat for Food and Drinks, Blue, 9.5 x 12 Inches, Set of 1 1 each
Large Insulated Cooler Bag, Tropikebana Blue Lrg
Room Decor
Easy budget-friendly investments for your room! Some of these can even become communal if your other roommates agree upon it (like the rug or bean bag chair).
Perfect size to fit in a dorm room of any size. You can choose your style and sizing in the Etsy order itself.
You could definitely use command strips to hang them up on your wall!
You could definitely use command strips to hang them up on your wall!
Framed Oval Mirror Wall Decor , Full Length Oval Bathroom Mirror , Elegant Bedroom Wall Mirror , Pill Shaped Mirror
A fuzzy rug to go over your room's carpet. My roommate used her rug as a place to be a “floor girly” and lie down whenever she needed a break but was still in her work clothes. Or, to crumple in, after coming back from a lab.
Bubble Plush Rug for bedroom - many colors and sizes available, Comfy Fluffy Bobbly Rug for Living room, Lounge, Office, Thick comfortable
Your room might not have air conditioning. In Seattle, mine does not, so it gets pretty cold when it's below freezing temps outside. A second fuzzy blanket is necessary for me.
Netbors Luxurious Ultra Soft Faux Rabbit Fur Throw Blanket with Velvet Backing, 50"x60", Gift Ready Packaging for Home Décor and Gifting
Contrary to popular belief, you should not get a live house plant in your dorm. It might fall over or stain your countertops. You could also forget to water it, like my roommate and I did countless times. I have a few fake plants around my room inste...
Fake potted plants
My roommate bought a bean bag chair for our room and we used it alllll the tiiimee. She's fallen asleep in it before, and when I had a high school friend visit me for a weekend, she slept on it. Perfect extra seat for any guest you have in the room!
High Lazy sofa, Large Round Bean Bag Couch, giant bean bag chair for kids - adult, Comfy round big cushion bed, Relax pouf cover, Plush
A coaster that adds artistic value to your desk space.
Mug Rug Coaster, Punch Needle Coasters, Y2K Punch Needle Mug Rugs, Housewarming Gift, Handmade Teenager Gift
Omg. Beautiful resin coasters from Etsy. I would treasure this with my life.
Green flower coasters, handmade epoxy resin coasters with gold accents, resin coaster set, gifts for home with custom colors
Install the hooks and remove them AS INSTRUCTED!!! If you don't remove them the right way then you will cause damage to your wall.
4ct Command Small Wire Hooks - White
Pay attention to the instructions when you install and remove these strips. Otherwise you will cause damage to your wall.
Command® Large Picture Hanging Strips, 20 White Adhesive Strip Pairs (40 Strips), Damage Free Hanging Picture Hangers, No Tools Wall Hanging
MOVING OUT!!!
Time to think ahead. You'll need these for moving out if you live out-of-state and need to put your items in a storage unit. They're easy to store in my room throughout the year because they flatten.
Home-Complete 10-Pack of 25Gal Moving Bags, Blue