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Just 27 Home Items College Students Love Having In Their Dorms

These items make living in their glorified shoebox a bit more bearable.

Posted 7 hours ago

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by Curtis Teegardin BuzzFeed Contributor

I am a Shopping & Products contributor and former BuzzFeed Shopping fellow who covers tech, fashion, cleaning, beauty, and budget-friendly alternatives to cult-fave products.

1. A gel-infused memory foam mattress topper to make the dorm mattress feel a whole lot less like a slab of concrete. It conforms to their body for extra comfiness while the cooling gel helps keep them from overheating during the night. It's available in 1-, 2-, and 3-inch thicknesses, so they can choose just how plush they want their bed to feel.

Amazon

Promising review: "College dorm essential. Basic mattresses provided by schools are hard, and uncomfortable. Using this, you do not have to worry about further problems down the road regarding body pains. This has lasted longer than four years, and stayed in perfect condition." —Jessica Monique Campbell

Get the Twin XL size from Amazon for $36.54+ (available in sizes twin–California king, three thickness levels, and three styles).

2. A three-tier rolling cart for snacks, books, or overflow of beauty products that don't quite fit on their sink. This offers three extra spacious areas to house their things and requires no extra tools to assemble it — it should take less than 15 minutes! And come move-out day, it'll be super easy to get out of the dorm thanks to its 360-degree swivel wheels. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Perfect for college! Absolutely love mine and it holds so much. Also easy to put together." —Danica Pokorny

Get it from Amazon for $24.97+ (available in a four-, five-, and six-tier style, five colors, and two-packs).

3. A *mini* mini fridge that fits right on their desk or nightstand, giving their favorite drinks, snacks, skincare, or medications a dedicated spot without taking up precious dorm space. It holds up to six 12-ounce cans, weighs just four pounds, and can cool or warm depending on what they've got in there.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "Essential for cool drinks! The little divider is removable, but there isn’t a good built-in slot to put it somewhere." —Nita C.

"Perfect for a dorm. Keeps my drinks cold! This is perfect for mini waters or cans! It's so small! Get it!" —Kathy

Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in four colors/styles).

4. A set of seven Command hooks your baby (who swears they're independent now) can use to deck out their dorm without dooming their security deposit. Perfect for hanging up their decor, keys, backpack, or that new game day hoodie, these strips stick to smooth surfaces and come off clean. They’re easy to apply, easy to remove, and make move-in and move-out way less chaotic. Their walls stay damage-free, and their room stays put-together effortlessly.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "I live in a dorm, so this was essential. It held up really heavy objects such as my backpack that was filled with books." —Ple

"I'm in a dorm, so unless I want even more fees, I am using these. They do their job and none of them have fallen yet, in fact, these have stuck to the wall better than the Command strips did (make sure to clean the wall and to let it dry for a minute instead of being a dumbo like me). These work well and have removed well so far, though when you try to pull the hook up from the middle part it is a little difficult at first so I would remove that before you stick it to the wall and then place the hook back on it!" —Moe K.

Get it from Amazon for $12.99.

5. A set of two plush Beckham Hotel pillows, aka the kind of pillow that'll make your "little" one's twin XL bed feel less like a dorm cot and more like a fancy SoHo loft (even if they're sharing a room with a near-stranger and eating mac 'n' cheese out of a mug). These pillows are soft, fluffy, and supportive — even if they're a side sleeper, stomach snuggler, or a "just passed out mid-scroll" kind of student. Plus, these pillows stay cool, don't go flat, *and* can go right in the washer when life (or a late-night snack) gets messy.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "These are seriously the most comfortable pillows I’ve ever slept with, feels like I am sleeping on a cloud! I purchased them for home and loved them so much I purchased them again for my dorm at school because I just couldn’t live without them! I’ve had them for years and they have stayed the same since the day I got them. I couldn’t recommend something more!" —Nathan Forbes

Get a set of two standard-sized pillows from Amazon for $59.99 (available in two other sizes and a memory foam style).

6. A handheld Black + Decker vacuum to pick up crumbs, hair, and dirt that'll surely line their floors within the first week of class. It's lightweight and cordless so clean up can be quick and it also comes with a wall mount charger so it's always juiced up and easy to grab.

www.amazon.com

This also features a built-in crevice tool, a transparent (detachable) bowl that holds everything it sucks up, and a washable filter. 

Promising review: "This vacuum has helped me so much with my college dorm. It helps me because it charges very fast and helps clean the dust on the floor as well as its size is small enough to fit in many drawers and the quality is very good." —Jose

Get it from Amazon for $24.99.

7. A bedside shelf (aka the BedShelfie) because their dorm bed is too tall for a nightstand and too far from literally everything. This floating nightstand clips right onto their bed frame and gives them the perfect spot to stash their phone, tablet, remote, water bottle, and whatever else they need within arm’s reach before passing out. It holds up to 35 pounds, has a spill-proof cupholder, and installs easily. They can say goodbye to awkwardly reaching over the edge or sleeping with their phone on their face.

Amazon

Promising review: "For the price, this little shelf is very sturdy and useful. Since I've been in college, I have used this shelf every single night for my phone, drinks, crochet projects, and more. If you want enough room for a laptop, I'd recommend getting a larger size." —Madison D

Get it from Amazon for $29.69+ (available in three finished and various styles).

8. A Brita water filter if your little scholar is an H2O snob who can taste the difference. If tap water just isn’t cutting it, this pitcher’s got them. It holds up to 10 cups of crisp, filtered goodness and helps reduce chlorine taste, mercury, and copper. It comes with a filter that lasts about two months and helps them ditch single-use plastic bottles (saving them $$$ in the process). Their wallet and their taste buds will be thanking you.

www.amazon.com

And if you want to stock up on Brita filters, you can get a six-count on Amazon for $27.37. Each filter lasts about two months, filtering 40 gallons of water.

Promising reviews: "As a broke college student, clean water was essential. I love this, it is my most valued asset in life." —Amazon Customer

"Originally bought this for my college dorm when my roommate suggested we get one. I loved it for that year and continue to use it now that I live in an apartment. I hope to use this pitcher for as long as I can! Its size is ideal for one or two people (not so much a family). Refilling is easy, and you need to buy a new filter every couple of months, but that is expected. Great buy." —Morgan

Get it from Amazon for $28.33.

9. A pack of space-saving hangers with nine square holes so they can finally make their tiny dorm closet work overtime. Perfect for hanging all their go-to jackets, jeans, tops, or nicer 'fits, these hangers let them organize vertically and find what they need fast. Each one rotates a full 360 degrees and helps them free up precious rod space without sacrificing their wardrobe. If their closet is the size of a shoebox (because... college), this pack is basically a miracle.

www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "Saved so much space in my college dorm with these. Total lifesaver. You have to use a little force to get them on (press the hook open as you do and it's pretty easy) but it's nothing too arduous. Highly recommend." —F. Stevens

Get a six-pack from Amazon for $14.99 (also available in four- and seven-packs). 

10. A clip-on fan for the unlucky people who live in a dorm who don't have AC or just run hot. To make your time in the room more bearable, this fan that can clip onto about anything offers up to four various speeds (the strongest being 14ft./s). It can last up to 24 hours when fully charged and is also battery operated if you don't feel like dealing with cords. It's quiet and strong and designed to be fully charged within six hours!

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Perfect for a dorm room as it can attach to anything and it can be rotated to face any direction!" —Jaison Howard

Get it from Amazon for $35.99 (available in four other styles and colors).

11. A set of Amazon Basics sheets that'll be their dorm bed MVP because they're super cozy and don't cost a lot of dough. The fitted sheet has deep pockets so the corners won't pop off, and the wrinkle-resistant and shrink-resistant material will make their sleep setup look super polished once they make their bed for parents' weekend.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "I bought these for my college dorm and I loved them. I'll be purchasing every other color for the next four years." —Shrimp Grits

Get a set of twin XL sheets from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in four other sizes and 35 colors/designs).

12. Orrr, a twin XL bedding set complete with a comforter, fitted sheet, pillowcase, and sham. It'll instantly show all of your kids' floormates that they didn't wait until move-in day to think about bedding. (They have you to thank!) The comforter is reversible, super soft, and light enough that they won't overheat in their stuffy dorm, but still cozy enough when the radiator decides to fail them. And the whole set is machine washable because no one has time to dry clean anything in college. 

Amazon

Promising reviews: "I purchased these when I was still living in a dorm in college. They are super durable and lightweight, I had used them for about two years. They also are easy to clean in dorm washing machines because it isn't too bulky. They are a super nice material and almost silky. However, I will say they do happen to get very staticky, so I would maybe just use dryer sheets to help with that. Overall, super nice bedding set for dorm life." —Abi Wilkinson

Get the Twin XL set from Amazon for $44.99+ (available in nine other sizes and 11 colors).

13. A smaller *lit* vanity mirror because dorm lighting is notoriously awful. This has 21 LED lights built into it and various magnification panels so they can inspect every pore if they really wanted to. And once they're done using it, they can close it up and shove it to the side to make more use of their limited tabletop space.

www.amazon.com

You can either plug it in or use AAA batteries to power it up.

Promising review: "I purchased this item for college and I am very satisfied with it. The trifold offers different magnifications and the lights are very bright." —Sofia Nguyen

Get it from Amazon for $22.98+ (available in seven colors).

14. A hanging shoe organizer so your college-bound baby can bring their full lineup of footwear without turning their dorm into an obstacle course. Just hook it over their door and boom — instant storage for at least 12 pairs of shoes. But don’t stop there. They can also fill the pockets with snacks, school supplies, toiletries, or anything else they want within arm’s reach.

www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "Essential for the college dorm room!" —Olga Bernstein

"I live in a dorm and ran out of space for my flats and sneakers. I was able to put this on my closet door to gain more shoe organization! I have size 11 shoes, and these fit great. I put one shoe in each pocket. I would fit two in each, but it doesn't hang as well. I put two sandals or flip-flops in each. I have had no problems or complaints :)." —Sarah Jaworski

Get it from Amazon for $9.97+ (available in six colors and with large or extra-large pockets). 

15. A touch-to-dim desk lamp that doubles as a charging station and triples as a vibe setter. With a USB-C port, USB-A port, and a standard outlet, they can power up to three devices and set the mood all from their desk or nightstand. Just tap the base to cycle through brightness levels, whether they're pulling a late-night study session or winding down with their favorite playlist. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "Great lap for my college dorm bedside table. I like the tap on and off feature and the extra plugs, makes it great to have within arms reach. It’s light, easy to pack and move, and fits well on a desk or cart. Great for dorms and extra lighting. I keep it on a bedside cart in my dorm and love it for waking up in the dark and not needing to find a switch. Plus, charging my phone." —Julia Fraim

Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in 22 variations, two sizes, and a two-pack).

16. A rollable laundry hamper with a removable wash bag so your child (with too many clothes) can glide into laundry day like the organized icon you want them to be. It's compact enough to tuck away in their dorm but roomy enough to handle their weekly laundry haul. The real flex? They'll be rolling their clothes to the machines while everyone else is huffing and puffing with overstuffed bins. Work smarter, not sweatier.

www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "Dorm essential. Got the one with wheels for easy rolling down to the laundry room in the dorm." —Growler Girl

"Why did you pick this product vs others? As marketed, nicely sized, easy to assemble. Among reasons for purchasing: Removable, washable mesh bag. Narrow, tidy yet spacious profile, unlike so many unnecessarily space-hogging bins. Attractive neutral color. Wheels." —Denmama

Get it from Amazon for $21.99 (available in three sizes and four colors).

17. A surge-protector power strip since the last thing your academic weapon of a student needs is their $$$ laptop getting fried during a random power surge. This only takes up one precious outlet but gives them 12 charging slots in return, meaning their phone, laptop, lamp, fan, and other gadgets can all plug in without any commotion. Plus, the 45-degree angle plug means it won't block the other outlet (honestly, genius). 

www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "Essential for my apartment with minimal sockets! I’m able to charge all of my devices at once. I also appreciate how long the cord is." —Blair

"Get this for a dorm room!!!! With all the different equipment and charging outlets students need these days, this charging cube helps in all areas! Keeping them organized and fully charged. We love how it sits flat on the table and [is] easy to access on all sides [since] the cord is nice and [thick] and won’t get tangled. Everyone needs one of these if you have a lot of gadgets." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $9.98 (available in three colors, six lengths, and several styles).

18. A super soft Bedsure throw blanket your dorm dweller can throw over suspect furniture their school provides or leave on their bed to add a little snuggly bliss to their sleep routine. It's warming yet lightweight, so don't be surprised if their location on Find My Friends is always at their dorm... They're just too cozy!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "I recently purchased this large, soft blanket for my couch, and I couldn't be happier with it! The fabric is incredibly soft and cozy, making it perfect for snuggling up during chilly evenings. The size is ideal — it covers the entire couch comfortably, so it’s great for draping over the back or spreading out for added warmth. I love how versatile it is; whether I’m watching TV, reading a book, or taking a nap, this blanket is my go-to companion. The quality is top-notch, with a plush texture that doesn’t shed or lose its softness after repeated washes. It’s also surprisingly lightweight, which makes it easy to handle and store. The color options are fantastic." —Chiara Flattery

"Love this! It is super soft and light. If you’re looking for a heavy blanket, this is not it. But it’s a great light throw! Way better quality than I expected, and none of the fuzz comes off. I am pleasantly surprised by the size of the blanket even though it is a throw. Got this for my college dorm and would highly recommend it!" —Chloe

Get the Queen size from Amazon for $25.19+ (available in nine other sizes and 30 colors). 

19. A set of six clear storage bins so your college-bound chaos gremlin can finally stay organized. These are perfect for laundry supplies, out-of-season clothes, or the random overflow of stuff they swear they need. They slide neatly under that sky-high dorm bed and even stack for max space-saving magic. Plus, they’re totally see-through, so when they inevitably forget where they put something, finding it won’t require tearing the room apart.

Amazon

Promising reviews: "Storage essentials! These boxes are ideal for any moving or storage situation. Great for books or other heavy objects where it is tempting to overpack — these boxes are a good size and design for lifting, etc. The clear plastic lets you see what is stored inside, so no mystery totes, and they are stackable for great and easy organization." —Amazon Customer

"These were durable for dorm move-in. They held lots and fit perfectly under the beds." —nicki ballew

Get a pack of six from Amazon for $84.99 (available in eight sizes and two-, three-, four- or 10-packs).

20. And a set of vacuum storage bags because fitting an entire wardrobe into a tiny dorm closet is like a game of Tetris. These magical bags shrink bulky items like clothes, pillows, and jackets down by up to 80%, giving your college kid way more room to store (or hoard) their stuff. It even comes with a pump to suck out the air (no vacuum needed), and doubles as the ultimate travel hack for your favorite overpacker.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Essential for college students. These bags are well-made and have different zip seals and seals where you vacuum out the air. They are very helpful for when I have to travel, as I can fit two weeks' worth of clothes in a carry-on suitcase, as well as reduce the amount of space I need in a storage unit. In addition, the customer service is great. One of my bags developed a small tear, and they sent me a replacement, no questions asked." —HeroicMattias

Get a set of six from Amazon for $25.99 (available in various sizes and packs).

21. A mini Keurig that’s itty bitty but brews a mighty cup of caffeine-fueled joy. Perfect for small dorm spaces and even smaller morning patience, this compact coffee maker whips up 6–12 ounces of your fave brew using any K-Cup — or a reusable one if your mini me is all about that eco life. And if they want to brew straight into their go-to thermos before class? Just pop off the drip tray and slide it right in. It’s fast and exactly what they'll need to survive 8 a.m. lectures.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "It is PERFECT for my dorm room! I loved it so much i bought it in purple too! Holds a significant amount of water and brews coffee fast. It's a huge plus that it's not super noisy either." —Rebekah Parrish

Get it from Amazon for $71+ (available in five colors).

22. A waterproof, hypoallergenic mattress protector to keep their bed protected from spillage, dust mites, and bacteria. Spill your Diet Coke? No problem. Sweat through a stress nap? Handled. Dropped a bowl of cereal while marathon-watching Love Island? This has got you (and your mattress) covered... literally. It fits snug around your mattress, and the soft cotton terry top is breathable, quiet, and comfy, so they won't be sleeping on a crunchy tarp. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Dorm essential. This held up really well for my first year in college, and I suspect it would last several more years! It kept my bed nice and held my mattress pad in place (also a necessity). Overall, I'd highly recommend this to anyone living in a dorm." —Elizabeth Haroldson

Get a twin XL size from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in seven other sizes and two materials).

23. A durable mesh shower caddy if your mini-me is about to brave communal bathrooms for the first time. With eight side pockets and a roomy center compartment, this caddy hauls it all: shampoo, body wash, towel, clothes, and more. It’s made from breathable, quick-drying mesh that can handle getting totally soaked without turning into a mildewy mess.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I purchased this product for my college dorm shared bathroom, and it made such a difference for me because I was able to carry every item into the bathroom in one trip. The mesh material drains out water well, and the the pockets on the side of the caddy are handy for razors and hairbrushes." —Grace Mayer

Get it from Amazon for $8.54+ (available in 10 colors and various bundles).

24. A set of reusable, absorbent mopping pads that are compatible with a Swiffer, meaning they don't have to keep buying the disposable ones! Their dorm floors are gonna get FILTHY, but the combination of a Swiffer, these pads, and a cleaning solution make for a much easier chore. Once they're done wiping up the muck, they can pop these right into the washer and they'll be like new! Now with one less thing to buy, they can treat themselves to chipotle for dinner. 💅🏼

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Promising review: "I have used these for my dorm and I love them so much. It come with a really cute hand written note and it’s made my cleaning up so much easier. Thank you!" —Pamela Tawbush

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $8.99 (also available in four- and six-packs).

25. An over-the-door mirror for final outfit checks or selfies with friends. It comes with two door hangars that loop right over and will stay in place — just make sure not to slam the door too hard! And say a mishap happens, it's designed to be shatter resistant and explosion proof, so it minimizes the chance for an unwanted cleanup job.

www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "Great dorm or bedroom accessory. Fast, safe ship. Well packaged, no cracks. Hangs on the door easily or on the wall." —K. Miller

"The gold frame is very pretty. Nice addition to my bathroom door. Comes with lots of hanging options. Mirror quality is great, it feels well made not cheap at all. Great buy!" —Anna A.

Get it from Amazon for $45.99+ (available in seven sizes and three finishes).

26. A set of microwave-safe cups, bowls, plates, and utensils since their dorm microwave is about to become your new undergrad's personal chef. From 2 a.m. ramen cravings to mug cakes that double as therapy, their microwave is doing the most freshman year — and their dishware needs to keep up. It's durable and ready for all your late-night snacks, leftovers, and "this kinda counts as a meal" moments.

Amazon

BTW, these plates are made with nontoxic materials and are FDA compliant in addition to being BPA- and phthalate free!

Promising review: "Dorm essential. Bought these when I moved into my dorm, and they are microwave-safe, so that's pretty nice." —Eli

Get it from Amazon for $36.99 (available in seven color schemes).

27. A mini Levoit air purifier to filter out 99.97% of airborne particles and allergens so they can breathe better in a stuffy dorm. Now any odors and fumes wafting into the room (or from it) will stand no chance since this is designed to neutralize them. They'll just have to make sure to vacuum the filter every once in a while to give it a refresh — it helps the air purifier perform better!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I bought this going into my freshman year of college (I'm now about to be a senior) and it seriously is one of the best purchases I made. Even though its mini, its powerful and I feel as though I could notably notice a difference. I think this single handedly saved me from getting super sick my freshman year. I brought it home over the summer and could notice a difference with pet odors as well." —Meg

Get the mini size from Amazon for $48.39 (available in seven other styles).

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