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
6
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 White Board, 35 x 23-Inch Whiteboard - Black Wooden Frame
Futon couches are nice for limited space and having guests come stay. This one is actually pretty comfortable.
IULULU Futon Sofa Bed, Modern Convertible Sleeper Couch Daybed with Adjustable Armrests for Studio, Apartment, Office, Small Space, Compact Living Room, Dark Gray
Allows for extra seating on floor but still comfortable
Milliard Reading Pillow with Shredded Memory Foam, Large Adult Backrest with Arms, Back Support for Sitting Up in Bed with Washable Cover (Sit up Pillow)
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
Decor
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 Mirror Square Full Body Length Door Hanging Wall Mounted Metal Frame Dressing Make-up Mirrors for Entryway Bedroom Bathroom Living Room 47 14 inch Black
Many dorms do not allow nails - these are a must for hanging
Command Medium and Large Picture Hanging Strips, Damage Free Hanging Picture Hangers, No Tools Wall Hanging Strips for Back to School Dorm Organization, White, 12 Medium Pairs and 16 Large Pairs
Fahrendom Good Vibes Only Aloha Hand Gesture Hang Hand Symbol Motivational Sign Cotton Linen Home Decorative Throw Pillow Case Cushion Cover with Words for Sofa Couch 18 x 18 in
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™
Friends always enjoy changing the sign
Amped&Co - 3 Modes - RGB Color Changing Cinema Light Box, 8"x6" - 100 LED Light Letters & Numbers
Electronics & Appliances
Single Serve - saved me lots of money from buying coffee on campus
This blender is awesome and saves room. Not too loud either for roommates
BlendJet 2 Portable Blender
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 was nice for catching first memories on campus.
FujiFilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera Holiday Bundle - Sky Blue
Power strips are a must since most dorms have limited amount of outlets.
Power Strip, ALESTOR Surge Protector with 12 Outlets and 4 USB Ports, 6 Feet Extension Cord (1875W/15A), 2700 Joules, ETL Listed, Black
This saved room and outlet space
Wireless Charging Station, 3 in 1 Wireless Charger Stand, Fast Wireless Charging Dock for iPhone 13/12/11/Pro/X/Max/XS/XR/8/Plus, for Apple Watch7/6/5/4/3/2/SE, for Airpods 3/2/Pro(White)
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
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
COYAHO 360° Rotating Makeup Organizer, Spinning Bathroom Organizer Countertop, Cosmetic Holder Shelf, Make Up Organizers and Storage for Bedroom, Transparent
Desk/Workstation
Great printer that also scans and copies
Epson Expression Home XP-4200 Wireless Color All-in-One Inkjet Printer (C11CK65201)
Nice organization for a small desk in dorm
Desk Organizer For Office Supplies And Accessories - 9 Sections With A Drawer - Pencil Pen Holder Storage - Desktop Organization Decor Essentials - Acrylic (White Grey Marble)
This was a life saver to help me put due dates and when bills were due to stay organized
Dry Erase Calendar Whiteboard for Wall, Polegas 16" X 12" Magnetic White Board Calendar Dry Erase Board, Small Wall Whiteboard Calendar Monthly Double Sided Boards for Student, Home, Office (White)
Many classes the professors give PowerPoints that you can print and write on. Great for those or projects
Cardinal 3 Ring Binders, Round Rings, Holds 350 Sheets, ClearVue Presentation View, Non-Stick, Assorted Colors (79550), 1.5 Inch (Pack of 4)
Cute pen holder
WAVEYU Pen Holder for Desk, Pencil Cup Pink Glitter Bling for Women Girls, Luxury Makeup Brush Holder Large Pu Leather Multi-Functional Organizer Cup for Office, Classroom, Home, Rose Gold
Wireless mouses were a quality of life enhancement from any laptop
Logitech M170 Wireless Mouse for PC, Mac, Laptop, 2.4 GHz with USB Mini Receiver, Optical Tracking, 12-Months Battery Life, Ambidextrous - Black
I need to move around the room when studying and this allows me to be in different spaces
Laptop Desk Black
Bedroom
Great brand and big enough slots to hold most styles of shoes and heels
The Big One® Over The Door Shoe Organizer
Hanging this in my closet created extra drawers and storage
The Big One® 6-Shelf Closet Organizer
The provided dorm beds are not always comfy… having the foam topper helped me get better quality sleep
Serta® 3-inch Soothing Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Dorm dressers never come with enough hangers
Home Basics 25-pk. Velvet Suit Hangers
Many dorms consist of one big overhead light and lamps. This helps with lighting to get ready
NUSVAN Vanity Mirror with Lights, Makeup Mirror with Lights,3 Color Lighting Modes Detachable 10X Magnification Mirror Touch Control,360°Rotation, White.
Needed - especially if sharing a bedroom with roommates. Light from my roommate getting ready didn't bother me with an eye mask
Silk Sleep Mask, 100% Silk Eye Mask for Sleeping with Elastic Strap, Soft Blackout Blindfold Eye Cover Eyeshade for Women Men Travel 2 Pack (Navy & Light Green)
Easy to see from desk.
WallarGe Atomic Clock with Indoor Temperature and Humidity, 12.5 Inch Self-Setting Digital Wall Clock or Desk Clock, Battery Operated Digital Clock Large Display for Seniors, Auto DST
Provided mattresses are used year after year - provided protection