And just like that, summer is coming to an end. It’s wild how quickly time flies these days. With the end of summer comes the beginning of the school year. If you’re headed off to college and you’re doing your dorm room shopping, you’re in luck. As someone who graduated college years ago, I know exactly what you need in your dorm room to make the place feel like home so you can live comfortably. I also know that there are certain items that everyone should have that will last you years beyond graduation.
From bedding that takes your dorm bed from drab to fab to small kitchen appliances like a Keurig to storage options to help you make the most out of your little room, Amazon has it all (of course). So avoid those busy stores and shop these 37 dorm essentials, all of which will get delivered right to your doorstep after a click of a button.
Sleep Soundly With These Pillows
Let’s be honest, dorm room beds aren’t the most comfortable things in the world. But there are some things that you can do to get a better night’s rest–like using these pillows. With over 150,000 reviews and a price tag under $50, there’s no better deal out there.
Stay Up Late Studying With This Neck Reading Light
There’s no denying that there are going to be some all-nighters when you’re in college. And with a roommate, this isn’t ideal. But you can stay up studying without disturbing their sleep with this neck reading light.
Cook Pasta All Night Quickly With The Fasta Pasta
When you don’t have a full-blown kitchen but still want to cook yourself some pasta, use the Fasta Pasta. It gives you al-dente pasta in the microwave in a matter of minutes. All you need is water, and you’ll have your new go-to meal. You may just want to get some pasta sauce to spice things up.
Short On Storage? Use This Under-The-Bed Organizer
Dorm rooms are low on storage. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be able to bring all of your shoes with you. These under-the-bed organizers hold up to 24 pairs of shoes so you can look cute and maximize your space.
These Sheets Look Way More Expensive Than They Are
These sheets are yet another addition that you can add that will help make your dorm bed all that more comfortable. They’re crazy soft, super affordable, and have rightfully earned over 100,000 reviews. They also come in seven different neutral colors, so there’s an option for every dorm room.
This Strainer Takes Up Very Little Space
When you’re short on space, you need to do everything you can to make the most out of the room that you do have. And this snap-on colander is such an easy swap to make. Simply snap it onto your pots and pans after your food is ready to be strained and dump the hot water into the sink.
Dry Your Hair Quickly With This Towel
Did you know that regular towels can actually cause some serious damage to your hair? I didn’t until recently. But now that I do know, I recommend this hair towel to anyone and everyone. It dries your hair much quicker than a regular towel without causing breakage, split ends, and more.
This Glass Nail File Looks Like It’s From The Future
Did you know glass nail files exist? Me neither! They’re actually better for your nail because it glides gently on the Czech glass and seals the keratin layers, leaving nails smooth with no jagged edges. Plus, I can’t resist a cute, matching case. It’s perfect for on the go and as a thoughtful gift.
This Leather Journal Makes Me Feel Important
I’m a notebook hoarder and I’m proud. I love collecting pretty notebooks and this one is by far my favorite! This vintage top grain leather journal is especially good for diary entries because it has lined paper and a designated spot for the date in the top right corner. I also got this beautiful sun and moon design because, well, I couldn’t resist!
This Speaker Is Waterproof
College wouldn’t be complete without a good speaker. From parties to pregaming to things as simple as taking a shower, you need music to hype you up. And this waterproof speaker is such a steal. It has great sound quality, and it won’t break the bank.
Tune Out Unwanted Noises With These Earplugs
Dorms get loud. When you have hundreds of college students in one building, it getting rowdy is inevitable. So when you need a little peace and quiet, I suggest using these reusable silicone earplugs. They’re so comfortable that you won’t feel them, they’re reusable so they’ll save you money, and they block out all the unwanted noise.
Keep Clothes Off The Floor With This Towel Rack
When you want to keep towels and clothes off of your floor, but you’re running out of room to hang things, opt for this towel rack. It has five different hooks, perfect for towels, hats, purses, clothes, and other accessories. Plus it looks way more expensive than it is.
Charge All Your Devices At Once With This Charging Station
As a society, we are attached to our countless electronic devices. Between smartphones, tablets, headphones, watches, and more, there are so many items that need constant charging. That’s why this charging station is so great. With it, you can charge up to six devices at once.
Showcase Your Sense Of Style With This Tablet
I love this tablet not only because of its functionality but because its design is so sleek! Its metal back cover and rounded edges are smooth to the touch. This tablet also has 32g of memory and even comes with a Samsung EVO microSD memory card adapter to easily transfer data. I always prefer a classic look when it comes to technology because it won’t even be out of style.
Maximize The Room You Have With These Storage Bags
Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without more storage options because that’s something that is quite a struggle for many college students. These jumbo storage bags are big enough for bedding and blankets but would also be great for coats and clothes.
Look Refreshed After All Nighters With These Eye Masks
When you’re low on sleep or feeling a little hungover but need to look put-together, use these eye masks. They help de-puff your under eyes while also lightening dark circles. For under $1 per mask, they’re also great for that college budget.
Who Needs Starbucks When You Can Use This Milk Frother
Stop spending all of your money on Starbucks runs and make your own coffee with this milk frother. Just warm up your milk of choice, and you have the perfect latte–all within the comfort of your dorm room.
Improve Your Mood With This Light Therapy Lamp
If you’ve been holed up inside for too long, you may notice that your mood gets worse. That’s because you quite literally need sunshine. But when you’re busy studying or the weather is dreadful, it’s not always possible. That’s why this light therapy lamp is so great.
Stay Caffeinated With The Keurig K-Mini
You’re going to need this Keurig K-Mini if you’re going to get that milk frother that I mentioned above. It’s compact enough that it won’t take up much space and gives you tasty coffee in seconds. No more spending all of your money at your campus’s Starbucks.
This Power Strip Lets You Charge 9 Devices Simultaneously
When you’re short on outlets but need to plug in multiple devices, use this power strip. With it, one outlet turns into nine, giving you plenty of charging ports for all of your electronics. It also protects your devices from over-voltage, over-current, overload, and short-circuiting.
This Desk Lamp Doubles As A Charger
Speaking of charging, to free up even more outlet space, use this desk lamp that doubles as a charger. It has two outlet ports and one USB port along with three light modes and a 60-minute timer. Because its design is so sleek, it will match any decor style, too.
Clean Up Your Desk With This Organizer
To keep your desk clean and organized while also giving you as much space as possible, use this organizer. It comes in four different colors and costs less than $30. Use it for textbooks, knick-knacks, clocks, writing utensils, plants, and more. I may not be in college, but I definitely bought one for my work desk.
Work From Bed With This Laptop Desk
I am a big fan of working from the bed or the couch. Which is why I think this laptop desk is so dang handy. It has plenty of room for your laptop and a mouse and even has a spot to hold your phone. As someone who works from home full time, I may or may not have snagged this one too.
This Trash Can Is Designed For Small Spaces
A trash can may not be the most exciting dorm room purchase, but I promise getting one like this (specifically designed for small spaces) can make a world of difference. Plus, how adorable is the pink?
These Towels Are Insanely Soft
A necessity like bath towels shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg. But finding affordable towels should also not break the bank. That’s why this eight-piece set from Amazon is so great. For under $25, you get eight fluffy towels that are soft and absorbent.
This Closet Organizer Allows You To Store More
I may not be in college anymore, but you can bet that I added these closet organizers to my cart as soon as I saw them. Each one holds five hangers vertically, so you can hang more clothes without taking up a lot of space. They’re also strong enough to hold up even your heaviest winter coats.
Keep Your Dorm Room Cool With This Fan
When the AC or overhead fan just isn’t quite cutting it, use this mini portable fan. It takes up very little space while still cooling you down thanks to its two-speed manual control and adjustable tilt head which offers a multi-directional airflow. I’ve got the cream one sitting in my cart as I type this.
Perfect Your Makeup Look With This Mirror
Chances are that your dorm lighting is pretty pitiful. That can make doing your makeup difficult, to say the least. With this mirror, you get 1x, 2x, and 3x magnification and 21 LED lights that help light you up so you can nail your perfect night-out look every single time.
Make The Dorm Bed Comfier With This Mattress Topper
If you only buy one thing on this list, make it this one. This mattress topper will change the way that you sleep forever. It takes an ordinary bed and turns it into one that can only be described as heavenly.
Jazz Up Your Dorm Room With These LED Lights
Thanks to TikTok, LED lights like these have become all the rage. But I understand why. They’re a cheap, easy way to set the mood in your room. Wrap them around your ceiling, put them behind your bedframe, or secure them around your desktop. The options are endless.
Keep Your Essentials Nearby With The BedShelfie
Nightstands are great and all but sometimes you just need a little more room for your important belongings. Or maybe you don’t have room for a nightstand in the first place. Whatever it may be, use the BedShelfie. It clamps onto your bedframe so you can keep your phone, book, alarm clock, and more within arm’s reach.
This Tool Set Has The Basics You Need
What kind of person would I be if I didn’t include a tool set? I know what you’re probably thinking. So boring, right? But it’s not going to be boring when something breaks and you need a quick fix.
This Double-Sided Tape Leaves No Residue
With almost 70,000 reviews and an almost perfect 5-star rating, there’s a reason Amazon users love this double-sided tape. It’s great for rugs, posters, shelves, decor, etc. And it won’t ruin your walls!
Everyone Needs A Good Full-Sized Mirror
To ensure that you look cute every time you leave your dorm, use this over-the-door full-sized mirror. There are a lot of stores that sell something similar, but they tend to be expensive and poorly made. This one is high-quality, reasonably priced, and will make getting dressed every day much easier.
This Diffuser Is Ideal For Aromatherapy
Diffusing essential oils is not only good for your health, but it’s also one of the easiest ways to make your dorm room smell delightful. And with this diffuser, you can do so in style. The light even changes color, so you can pick it depending on your mood.
Make Your Wi-Fi Connection Stronger With This Range Extender
Wi-Fi is pretty much every single human’s lifeline at this point–but especially college students. To ensure that your connection stays strong and reaches you no matter where you are in your dorm or apartment, use this range extender.
These Wall Hooks Are Wildly Stable
If don’t love the towel rack that I mentioned earlier or you just need a little more storage space, try these wall hooks. They easily stick to your wall (without damaging the paint), can be easily removed, and can be used for a wide variety of things–like your towels or keys.
Keep Your Toiletries In This Shower Tote
If you don’t have the luxury of a private shower, I recommend this shower tote. It has plenty of storage for your shampoo, conditioner, razor, body wash, etc. Plus it’s made of a lightweight mesh that dries quickly.
Clean The Air With This Purifier
To ensure that you’re breathing the cleanest air possible, use this air purifier. It reduces odor while also clearing a room of allergens such as dust, dander, and pollen. This will dramatically help those with allergies, although it’s just good to have even if you don’t suffer from any.
This Pot Can Cook Pretty Much Everything
Pots like this one are great because they can be used for anything and everything. Use it for cooking up delicious steak, chicken, stir-fry, eggs, and more. And it won’t set off smoke alarms either!