Dorm Room Hacks: Must-Have Items for College Students
- University Short Cuts
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
Dorm Room Must-Haves
Linked products are available on Amazon. They may not be the absolute best options, but they should point you in the right direction.
· Loft bed
· Earplugs, sleep mask, and nasal strips
Why Dorm Room Setup Matters
Living in a dorm room is a rite of passage in college. Is a dorm room an ideal living space? No, it is not. However, it is usually cheap, and the commute to class is often very short. The living experience can be made better by the way you set up and use your dorm room. I wanted to go over some of the items that I found helpful for making dorm life much easier. I will also provide Amazon links so you do not have to go looking for all these items. (See List Above).
Loft Your Bed to Save Space
To start, having your bed lofted frees up so much space in your dorm. If you have a roommate, I suggest that you both loft your beds. It provides space for studying, adding a TV, or creating extra storage. A lot of benefits come from lofting your bed. However, I know it can be risky if you roll off, so if you are prone to falling out of bed, you may want to reconsider lofting it.
Add a Mattress Topper
Mattress toppers are needed for many dorm rooms because of the basic beds you are usually given. A lot of the time, the beds are not very comfortable and can be very firm. Not to mention, you do not know who has slept on that bed beforehand. For peace of mind and better sleep, a mattress topper is a must-have for your dorm room. Note that most colleges use Twin XL beds.
Storage Seating
One item that is helpful with the lack of storage in college is seating that doubles as storage. When you get a dorm, it likely only has a chair, a desk, and a bed. If it is a two-person dorm, you will usually get two of everything. You can add seating that also works as storage by buying storage ottomans or storage benches, which I will link. I used them myself in college. I usually stored items that I only used on a weekly or biweekly basis. Additionally, more seating is great if you like to have friends over.
Shower Essentials
A shower caddy and shower shoes are must-haves in college because many dorms have communal showers. Depending on the cleaning schedule of your dorm, you may quickly learn why shower shoes are important. A shower caddy is helpful for carrying everything you need to the shower, including hygiene items like a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, and deodorant. The caddy allows you to be efficient with your time and helps make sure you are not left without the things you need.
Make the Floor More Comfortable
If your dorm room has tile or hard flooring, it may be worth getting a rug or even a carpet remnant to make the room feel cozier. Without one, you will probably wake up quicker in the morning because of the cold floor, which could be a positive if you are trying to get some studying done. Still, a rug or carpet can make the dorm feel much more like a home than a dorm, so I do recommend doing this.
Improve Your Sleep Setup
Dorms can get noisy, and the blinds may not work very well, so I recommend having a sleep mask and earplugs on hand. If you can swing it, I would also get blackout curtains. Blackout curtains are well worth the investment for better sleep, especially since sleep in college is not always consistent. Another helpful item is nasal strips, which can help with breathing while you sleep.
Keep Quick Food Options Nearby
A mini fridge and a microwave are helpful for keeping quick snacks or meals on hand. Sometimes the dining hall is closed when you want food, so it is a good idea to have a fridge and microwave available for your busy schedule.
Add Secondary Lighting
Secondary lights are nice to have because many dorm room lights are either fully on or completely off. In the evenings, you often get full darkness or bright overhead light with no in-between unless you add something else to supplement it. Personally, I think it is worth the money to get secondary lighting. Ironically, before college, I probably would have said no to secondary lights, but once I got some for my dorm, they were definitely worth it.
Other Helpful Dorm Items
· Foam roller
· Blackout Curtains
· Desk organizer
· A good backpack
· A good set of pens and pencils
· Premium music service
Final Thoughts
Dorm life may not be perfect, but the right setup can make a huge difference. A few smart upgrades can make your room feel more comfortable, organized, and practical for everyday college life. Whether you are trying to sleep better, save space, or make your room feel more like home, these dorm room essentials are a great place to start. Hopefully, as you enter your new college life, you find some of these items helpful, and they make your college experience better.
Final Note and Extra Resources
Lastly, I have a book for sale and a planner as well, if you are interested. I will link them below!
If you enjoyed my work and want to get better at math, please consider buying my calculus one book called Calculus One Made Simple. I will link it here! Additionally, if you want to be more effective with your time, please consider buying my planner here!
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