17 Dorm Room Essentials to Add Some Personality & Extra Storage to Your Space

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The first day of college marks the start of a new chapter in your life, and if you plan to live on-campus, your living quarters are changing drastically. While exciting, you’ll no longer be sleeping on the same mattress and will have to carefully choose what music posters you plan to decorate your minimal wall space with. Whether you’re a freshman, undergraduate or even graduate student, there are some dorm room essentials that you need to make sure you have by your move-in date.

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Your dorm room will be more than just a place for you to sleep; it will act as a spot for hanging out with friends, studying and just lounging during your free time. That’s why it’s essential to create a space that’s both comfortable yet shows off your personality.

Back-to-school deals are currently going on, with everything from comfortable pillows, laptops and bedding discounted for a budget-friendly cost. You can take advantage of discounts and promos that’ll help you stock up on all the dorm room essentials. That way, you can kick off your first day of college feeling prepared and comfortable.

Keep reading to discover where to find dorm room supplies.

What Are the Best Dorm Room Essentials?

To help you stock up on the best dorm room essentials for college, ShopBillboard did the digging and created a list of must-haves to shop below.

blue memory foam mattress topper
blue memory foam mattress topper

MATTRESS TOPPER

LinenSpa Memory Foam Mattress Topper

$31.73 $42.99 26% off

Buy On Amazon

Your university-provided mattress is not going to be hotel-grade, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it cozier. This mattress topper is a No. 1 best seller on Amazon for mattress toppers with more than 40,000 purchased this month, so far. The design comes with a 2-inch thickness for added cushioning as well as a gel material that’ll help relieve pressure and conform to your body’s curves.


laundry bag
laundry bag

LAUNDRY BAG

OUDXVEE College Laundry Bag

$19.99

Buy on walmart

Make laundry day easier with this multipurpose laundry bag that can transform into a backpack. It comes with a roomy interior that can hold up to 45 liters of laundry and has a drawstring top to keep your clothes and bedding secure. Another notable feature is the pocket for storing your laundry detergent.


black bedside shelf with small objects on top
black bedside shelf with small objects on top

BEDSIDE SHELF

BedShelfie Bedside Shelf

$41.99 $46.99 11% off

Buy On Amazon

Save space but keep your bedside must-haves close with this compact bedside table. The BedShelfie can snap onto your bed frame and features a flat surface with enough space to put your phone and tablet while the built-in cupholder lets you hold your nighttime glass of water.


black faux marble mini table lamp
black faux marble mini table lamp

TABLE LAMP

Threshold Faux Marble Mini Table Lamp

$10

Buy on target

Rather than accept the harsh florescent lighting of your dorm, this chic table lamp will provide a soft glow when you’re winding down for the night. It comes with a faux marble texture to add some style to your space and comes in three patterns to pick from.


sage green comforter set
sage green comforter set

BEDDING SET

Mainstays Reversible Bed in a Bag Comforter Set

$29.96

Buy on walmart

For less than $50 you can get all the bedding you can possibly need. Walmart’s bed in a bag comes with a reversible comforter, pillowcases, a flat sheet and a fitted sheet to effortlessly give you a complete bed set.


black bed risers with power outlets
black bed risers with power outlets

BED RISERS

Butizone Bed Risers

$39.99

Buy On Amazon

Make room for all of your belongings by adding some bed risers to your bed. There are three heights to pick from and as an added bonus, these come with built-in outlets and USB plugs giving you additional spots to plug in your electronics.


tiger bath mat in bathroom
tiger bath mat in bathroom

BATH MAT

Tiger Bath Mat

$49

Buy on urban outfitters

Urban Outfitters’ tiger bath mat is ready be the statement piece of your bathroom. It comes in the shape of the animal and includes a soft and fluffy material that’ll swaddle your feet in comfort while absorbing water.


white storage cart
white storage cart

STORAGE CART

Brightroom Metal Utility Cart

$40

Buy on target

Incorporating a storage cart is essential for storing your knick-knacks and toiletries without leaving your desk looking cluttered. Target’s version is made from a metal material and a three-tier design making it small-space friendly. The included wheel also make it easy for moving it from place to place.


black mesh shower caddy
black mesh shower caddy

SHOWER CADDY

Room Essentials Mesh Shower Caddy

$8

Buy on target

Rather than have your toiletries precariously stacked in your hands, this shower caddy will carry it all and more while leaving you with extra hand space. The mesh material is breathable and quick-drying while the perimeter features a variety of pockets for storing all your shower essentials.


light gray waffle towels
light gray waffle towels

TOWEL SET

Waffle Bath Towel Set

$164 $205 20% off

Buy on cozy earth

Dry off with these plush waffle towels that are crisp and absorbent. The set is 20% off and comes with a total of eight towels including four washcloths, two hand towels and two large towels.


gray teddy storage ottoman
gray teddy storage ottoman

STORAGE OTTOMAN

Round Sherpa Storage Ottoman

$93 $155 40% off

Buy on dormify

Elevate your dorm room with this stylish ottoman that comes with secret storage. The exterior shows off a soft teddy material that’s available in a variety of colors paired with accents of gold. When you take the lid off, you’ll be met with empty space to put all your small belongings.


black desk fan
black desk fan

PORTABLE FAN

Honeywell QuietSet Personal Table Fan

$11 $34.99 69% off

Buy On Amazon

Cool down with this portable fan that’s both compact and on sale for 69% off. You can customize the speed and temperature using the buttons on the front. Other features include the ability to put a timer on as well as make it oscillate.


gray under bed storage
gray under bed storage

UNDER BED STORAGE

Under Bed Storage Bags (4-Pack)

$18.99 $32.99 42% off

Buy on walmart

These under bed storage bags will help keep your closet from overflowing. Made with fabric and clear plastic materials, the storage bags come in a 4-pack that you can fill with clothes, towels and jackets. The clear edges will allow you to see exactly what’s inside while the built-in handle means you can easily pull out the bag when you’re looking for that one sweater.


white over-the-door mirror
white over-the-door mirror

MIRROR

Room Essentials Over the Door Mirror

$19

Buy on target

Check out your OOTD before you head to class with the help of Target’s over the door mirror. The design comes in a range of frame colors to pick depending on your style preferences and includes two hooks to attach and hang over your door.


cotton knit throw blanket in different colors
cotton knit throw blanket in different colors

THROW BLANKET

Cotton Fisherman Throw

$79.90

Buy on quince

Complete your bedspread with a soft throw blanket like this luxe one from Quince. The style comes with a cozy knit texture made from a cotton material that’s breathable yet will keep you comfortable on cooler days.


gray velvet clothing hangars
gray velvet clothing hangars

HANGARS

Better Homes & Gardens Velvet Clothing Hangers (100-Pack)

$27.98

Buy on walmart

Avoid having clothes fall onto the floor with this 100-pack of velvet hangars. The body comes with a soft velvety material that’ll help keep your tops, dresses and more apparel in place while the metal top can twist around to easily hang clothing in the direction you want.


beige shoe organizer
beige shoe organizer

SHOE STORAGE

Hanging Shoe Organizer (10-Slots)

$19.99

Buy on the container store

Space is a luxury that not every dorm room is equipped with, which means you’ll need to get creative with your storage. This shoe organizer can be hung up in your closet and uses a fabric material that’s easy to fold and move to your liking. There are also 10 slots to store your shoes without leaving your space feeling cluttered.


For more product recommendations, check out ShopBillboard‘s roundups of the best wearable blankets, vinyl record player accessories and spring break travel gear.