This post will show you the college dorm room must haves that will make you have the best dorm room on your floor! This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here.
Your college dorm is your home away from home. You’re going to spend a lot of time there and you may not have the luxury of going home on weekends if you’re out of state.
So why not making it your own? Why not spice things up a bit from the typical prison cell aesthetic that dorms come with? Why not have the best college dorm room on your floor?
In this post, I’m going to show you all the college must haves for the best college dorm room that will step your game up and impress all your friends!
*Top 4 Recommendations*
College Dorm Must Haves For…
Storage & Organization
BedShelfie
This is a GREAT addition to your college dorm because sometimes you just don’t wanna stretch to get things on your desk, ya know?
Bedside Caddy Organizer
This is another GREAT alternative to store your items at your bedside for your convenience!
Natural Bamboo Desk Organizer
Dorm room desks can be enough room for pretty much nothing. Especially if you have a lot of makeup and stuff like I do. This is a great way to save space and store more things on your desk!
Expandable Bookshelf Organizer
Maybe you’re not into the whole rustic look with the wood, this is a great alternative. It’s also expandable so you can change to the shapes you like!
Trouser Hanger
Now you don’t have to worry about folding your jeans/pants and pants. This has to be one of the best inventions ever! Time and space saver in one.
A flexible power strip
There’s a high chance (10/10) that you’re gonna need a power strip in your college dorm. This one offers more flexibility because it can adapt to the things around it for a better fit even in awkward spaces. It also helps to avoid bending your chargers!
Rolling Storage Cart
This cart is a great option to store your stationery and textbooks/notebooks, or your snacks in your dorm room!
Bed Lifts with OutletB085VYP75C
Bed lifts are a GREAT way to get more under bed storage for things like your mini fridge, plastic containers and more. These bed lifts are unique because they have outlets to help charge your electronics!
Hot Iron Holster
Tired of struggling to figure out where to put your hot hair tools? This is a great option that won’t take up too much counter space!
Dorm Room Decor
Metal Clip-on Light
I have one of these on the edge of my bed behind my pillow. Comes in handy when I’m looking for something at night or when I’m reading/using my phone and I don’t want to get out of bed to turn the light on. Highly recommend!
LED Photo Clips
You’ve probably seen the trend of hanging Christmas lights up on your walls but check out this cool alternative! If you want the effect of the lights but you also want to hang up some of your favorite memories with family and friends, this is your solution.
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Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera
If you want to get the look with the hanging pictures on the Christmas lights you need a camera right? Even if you don’t, this is a great way to create memories with your friends in college.
LED Window Curtain String Light
This is a beautiful way to make your dorm POP and make it the envy of your roommates!
Area Rug
This is great for covering those ugly carpets in dorm rooms and giving your room a bit more personality.
Marquee Letters
I have an S hanging on my door which makes a great night light and decorative piece.
Tapestry
What better way to hide those prison cell walls than with a beautiful tapestry like this one?
Dreamcatchers
Big fan of dreamcatchers? This one’s for you! Dreamcatchers are very popular for decorating college dorm rooms!
Hangit Photo Display
This is an awesome way to hang up your favorite pictures on your wall. Rather than just throwing them up on your plane wall, you can use a photo display frame like this one.
Beauty
Vanity Makeup Mirror

The perfect way to do your makeup in style!
Full-length mirror
Speaking of mirrors – you definitely need a full-length mirror in your dorm room. This will make your life easier when you’re getting ready to go out with your friends. I’d recommend an over-the-door hanging mirror so it won’t take up any floor space in your dorm room.
Acrylic Makeup Organizer
Regular desk organizers do the job but this is so much more glamorous and it makes your desk look better!
Bedding
Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper
I’ll let you in on a little secret: dorm beds are EXTREMELY uncomfortable!! Not having a mattress topper will be the worst thing you could do. This one is SUPER comfortable!
Fur Pillows
Throw pillows (especially ones like these) are a great addition to your room.
Fleece Blanket
This will probably be the best investment you make, hands down! These are SOO comfortable!! I actually sleep with mine instead of my comforter. My advice: the bigger the better (I got the twin one at first and it kept coming off my feet because I’m tall).
Bath
Shower Curtain with Pockets
Now you can save space in the shower with these convenient pockets!
The FUN Stuff!
Sound Activated Disco Ball
Turn a boring night into a fun night with this little guy! My roommate had one of these last semesters and it made a world of a difference!
My roommate had one of these my junior year and I literally thought it was the best thing ever! It can turn a boring night into an awesome movie night.
Hammock
I bet you didn’t see this one coming, did you? Well, neither did I until I went in my friend’s room freshman year. She lofted her bed and added a hammock underneath it to relax in and read a book after class. It’s soooo comfortable and it’s a great way to relax in your room!
Kitchen
Mini Fridge!
I’ve had a mini fridge since my freshman year and it has been soooo convenient! Sometimes you just don’t want to go to your kitchen to get food ya know? You can keep your cold snacks and leftovers in here so it’s convenient, or just to have some extra space in your dorm/apartment.
Keurig
Make your coffee in style! Even if you’re not a coffee drinker, you can also use this for nifty things like heating up your water for noodles, or for tea and hot chocolate during the cold months.
9 Nesting Bowls Set
So you might be thinking, why are bowls important? Here’s why – because if you have a kitchen in your dorm room you’ll definitely be needing these! The great thing about this one is that they collapse into each other so it saves a ton of space!
Corner Space Saving Better Houseware 1423 Stainless Steel Adjustable Over Sink Dish Drainer
This is a great way to dry your dishes after you wash them. It also helps save the counter space you already barely have.
Lifesavers
UDOLI 5 USB Ports Charging Station Organizer for Multiple Devices Fast Charging Desktop Stand for Apple Android Phone Tablet 1600W 2 AC Power Outlets Charger Dock for Home Office 3 Prong Cord BlackA better way to charge your electronics without unplugging others!
Memory Foam Lap Desk
If you prefer using your laptop in bed like me, this will work wonders for you!
You’re not going to have a lot of seating area in your dorm room to have friends over unless you invest in some extra furniture. An extra chair (like this one) is a perfect way to accommodate your guests.
Futon
Are you much more of an entertainer? Love having game nights in your dorm room? You may need a futon to seat more of your friends!
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Take advantage of this offer!
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This post showed you 30 college must haves to help you achieve the best college dorm room!
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