Ah, the joys of dorm room shopping – where minimalist living meets maximum creativity. If you're the parent of a college-bound kiddo, you've probably been knee-deep in lists, checklists, and "must-have" articles of late. And let me guess – you're feeling a little … overwhelmed?
I hear you, mamas. As the mom of two teenagers (one who started college this fall), I've been there. The letting go is hard enough, but the struggle is oh-so-real when it comes to outfitting that tiny, bare-bones dorm room with all the essentials — not to mention the non-essentials — that your kid is convinced they can't live without. I'm looking at you headboard. And, we've not even begun to talk tailgating during football season.
But fear not! I've compiled 15 of the absolute must-have dorm items for first-time college students – and the savvy moms who are tackling this dorm room challenge head-on. From game-changing tech to cozy comfort must-haves, we're about to make your back-to-school shopping a breeze. Whether your kids' dorm room shopping is just about complete or you still need quite a few items, I've got you covered.
Ready to turn that tiny dorm into a hip, functional sanctuary your kid will love? Let's dive in!
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PeachSkin Sheets
Starting at
$115
from
PeachSkinSheets
Bring all the comforts of home to school with PeachSkinSheets’ luxe, lightweight 1500 thread count sheets. Dorm room beds can be a bit, well, less than luxurious. But with PeachSkin’s ultra-soft, breathable sheets, students will feel like they’re sleeping on a cloud. Plus, PeachSkin’s sheets and comforters come in many vibrant colors to add a cozy, personalized touch to their tiny abode.
Product highlights:
- Wrinkle release
- Temperature controlled
- OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Certified (Tested safe of over 350 harmful substances/chemicals)
Future Foam Mattress Topper: Sweet Dreams Await
Speaking of dorm beds, let’s talk about those notoriously uncomfortable, rock-hard mattresses. A high-quality foam topper is a total game-changer, transforming that sad sack of springs into a plush, heavenly surface. Bonus points if you find one with cooling gel to beat stuffy dorm room nights.
Our girl is a hot sleeper and demands comfort to get that deep rest to do her best in class. We opted for the 4.5-inch Comforpedic from Beautyrest 3-inch Gel Twin Memory Foam with 1.5-inch Fiber Topper Cover.
Product highlights:
- Increases the air flow around your bed.
- Memory foam contours to body and provides pressure relief.
- Cooling properties from the gel infusion.
- Arrives vacuum-sealed for easy transportation to campus.
Under-Bed Storage Bins: Maximize Square Footage
$91.39
from
When every inch counts (Can you say four teenage girls in one room that’s only 189 square feet?) — smart storage is key.
Invest in a set of deep, sturdy under-bed bins to stash extra linens, out-of-season clothes, and all those random dorm essentials. To be honest, my daughter’s dorm is one of those over a century old, castle types, and there were no dressers provided – only a closet with three shallow drawers at the bottom of each. These four-drawer storage bins fit perfectly under her partially lofted bed.
Product highlights:
- Opaque drawers to conceal clutter inside
- Stylish enough to be left out in the open
- Made of BPA-free, durable plastic
Mini Fridge: The Dorm Room Food Group
Starting at
$189
from
Home Depot
No dorm room is complete without a mini refrigerator to keep snacks, leftovers, and emergency ice cream fresh. Look for a compact, energy-efficient model that won’t take up too much precious real estate. Most importantly, double-check with your child’s university so you don’t exceed the maximum size allowed; the school will make you return it if it’s too big. We opted for this 4.5 cubic feet two-door mini refrigerator in platinum steel with freezer.
Product highlights:
- Separate 1.2 cu. ft. freezer capacity
- Three adjustable fresh-food shelves + veggie crisper
- Available in three colors: white, black or stainless
- Reversible doors so it can fit perfectly anywhere you need to place it
Alternate Lighting: Bright Ideas Await
Dorm lighting can be less than ideal. In fact, it’s a well-known fact amongst Gen Z that ambient lighting is a necessity. A couple of cute, fun, compact table lamps and/or a clip-on desk lamp can provide the focused illumination your student needs for late-night study sessions without taking up valuable surface space or waking roomies in the process.
We opted for the Austeja Ceramic Novelty Lamp. A compact, whimsical ceramic French bulldog figure sits (and stays) under a white linen shade while providing just the right amount of ambient lighting. It’s also the perfect ice breaker during move-in.
Product highlights:
- Ceramic base
- On/off switch on socket
- Includes Brilli Wind Down LED light bulb, designed with relaxation in mind
REST EverCool Cooling Blankets and Sheets
A key to a good’s night rest is being comfortable; that’s why it’s so important to make sure your student is not only buying items that are cute but are practical as well. My daughter is a hot sleeper and, unfortunately, a lot of dorm rooms are not air-conditioned and sometimes, a window fan is just not enough.
Rest Evercool sheets and comforters use temperature-regulating technology and moisture-wicking fabric and are designed to deliver a comfortable, cool and restful sleep experience to hot sleepers. We were so impressed that I got them for the whole family.
Product highlights:
- Temperature regulating
- Moisture-wicking
- Ultra-fine fabric mimics the feeling of silk
- Self-cleaning anti-microbial technology to eliminate odor-causing bacteria
Storage Ottoman: More Than Just To Sit On
Never, in a million years, would I have thought I’d be buying my daughter a tufted storage ottoman for her dorm room, but we did and thank goodness. In case you are not in the dorm room know, I’m here to tell you these things are used as extra seating, storage (secret hiding places because the resident assistants don’t normally check inside them), and as step stools for climbing into lofted or partially lofted beds.
We opted for WestinTrends Round Velvet Tufted Storage Ottoman in velvet pink. The stylish, tufted velvet brings a sophisticated, feminine vibe to the dorm room, which was exactly what our girl was going for.
Product highlights:
- Made with a sturdy solid wood frame (weight capacity 260 pounds)
- Durable wood legs, designed for long and lasting use
- Soft velvet fabric and thick foam padding on the lid provides strong and comfortable seating
In our opinion, it’s worth every single cent. Bonus: It will look perfect in her first apartment and it’s sturdy enough to last.
Air Purifier: Breathe Easy in the Dorm
Let’s face it. Dorm rooms aren’t exactly known for their pristine air quality. Can you say cooties? Imagine preschool but swap licking each other for kissing strangers and there you have it, germapalooza. An Energy Star-certified air purifier will help filter out allergens, odors, and other airborne nasties.
We chose the Homedics Medium Room Tower Air Purifier T22, which reduces pollen, pet dander, germs, allergens, smoke, and mold inside the dorm room, giving you the fresh air your space needs.
Product highlights:
- Filter removes up to 99% of airborne allergens like pollen, dust, and pet dander, as small as 0.3 microns
- Continuously cleans the air
- Built-in activated carbon filter reduces odors
- UV-C (ultraviolet light) technology reduces bacteria, virus, mold, and fungus in the air
First Aid Kit: Be Prepared for Anything
Starting at
$24.99
from
Keep Going First Aid
Accidents happen, and having a well-stocked first aid kit on hand can provide much-needed peace of mind (especially for parents of first-time college students). Include all the essentials, from bandages to cold packs to pain relievers.
We opted for the 270-piece super kit by Keep Going First Aid.
Product highlights:
- Water-stain resistant
- Emergency supplies included: CPR mask, burn gel, eye pad, first aid guide and heavy-duty shears
- Stay hot or cold: instant cold pack, emergency blanket, etc.
- Specialty tools: tick remover, nosebleed plugs, sting relief, moleskin, etc.
Cute Rug: Easy Way To Keep Dorm Rooms Cozy
Starting at
$59.99
from
My Magic Carpet
If your student has a flair for style and loves home decor, she will love My Magic Carpet. These rugs are perfect for a busy student life full of friends and late nights in the dorm room. This rug was created to provide an easy to care for, one-piece machine washable rug solution that is affordable and easy to use.
When it gets dirty, just pop it into any washing machine, then straight to the dryer and get on with life. It’s perfect for high-traffic areas in dorm rooms.
Product highlights:
- 100% machine-washable
- Non-slip
- Stain-resistant
- Various design patterns, colors, and sizes available
A Book Safe: Secure Important Documents
A compact book safe is perfect for keeping passports, IDs, and other valuables such as medications safe and sound. There are no keys. Instead, it’s just a simple personalized combination to remember. We got our girl the Lucky Line – Locking Diversion Book Safe. It looks just like a book and easily hides in plain sight on her desk, amongst her other books.
Product highlights:
- Large interior cavity is perfect for holding important items
- Locking door with programmable, triple-tumbler combination lock
- Inconspicuous, in plain-sight safety
Personal Alarm: An Extra Layer of Safety
One in three women is assaulted in her lifetime. That’s one in three of our sisters, daughters, mothers, and friends.
In these uncertain times, a personal safety alarm and a good stun gun can provide an additional layer of security for your college student. Small and equipped with a loud siren, it’s a simple way to deter would-be attackers or call for assistance. My daughter is at a top-notch university that is very safe, in all the ways that it can be, but that didn’t stop her and her roomies from finding themselves at a rager late at night with no idea how to get back to their dorm.
But we sent our girl prepared. We chose Birdie. The device is small but mighty; it’s like having a fire alarm in your pocket. When you pull the pin it flashes and beeps obnoxiously loud so your daughter can get the attention and help she needs to stay out of harm’s way.
Product highlights:
- Impossible to ignore
- Discrete but effective
- Easy to use
- Comes in a variety of cute and fun colors
Lap Desk: The Homework Haven
Between Zoom meetings and late-night essay writing, your college kid is going to need a comfy spot to park it. A lap desk with a built-in cushion and device holder will let them get cozy while they tackle their to-do list.
We chose the YOUXLGD lap desk with four USB charging ports. Your kid will need as many USB ports as possible, trust me.
Product highlights:
- Made of durable MDF (medium density fiberboard)
- Easy to use, no assembly required
- Lots of room with storage drawer
- 4 USB ports powered by one USB cable
- Comes with a USB powered mini light and mini fan
Nespresso Machine: Barista-Worthy Brews at Home
For the true caffeine fiend, a Nespresso machine is a game-changer. Freshly brewed espresso drinks with the push of a button? Yes, please! Like I mentioned previously, everything is changing at warp speed, so I tried to keep her dorm as close to home as possible.
We’re a Nespresso home so we got her a Virtuo Pop+ in candy pink to match her decor, of course. It’s easy to use with one-touch precision brewing, heats up within 30 seconds, and is energy saving. Good for your student and the planet!
Product highlights:
- Small and compact
- Brews five amounts of coffee
- Brews hot or with ice
- Available in 11 different vibrant colors
SWOOP Bras and Lounge Pants: Comfort and Confidence for Busy College Gals
As any mama knows, finding the perfect bra is a quest worthy of a medieval knight. But for your college-bound babe, comfort and support are non-negotiable. That’s where SWOOP comes in. Designed to keep your active daughter feeling her best, whether she’s cramming for an exam or crushing it at the gym. Bonus: Swoop also makes shorts, pants, and undies so you can know that your girl is as comfy as possible when relaxing in her dorm.
Product highlights:
- Wire-free
- Hook-free
- Designed for comfort
- Available in several simple and fun patterns
The Most Important Thing To Remember?
Whew, that’s quite the list! But trust me, mamas. Each and every one of these items is a total game-changer for the dorm room experience. By outfitting your student’s space with the right blend of comfort, convenience, and security, you’ll be providing the tools they need to thrive.
So, what are you waiting for? Time to put on your shopping cap and tackle that college checklist with confidence. Your student (and your future self) will thank you! If you already dropped off your student at school, no worries; you can still get them any essentials you missed and ship them in a care package. They love care packages.
Remember mamas, as hard as it is to let them go, it’s equally as hard for them to be let go. Believe me, I know of which I speak. Hugs! You’ve got this and so do they.
