The Dorm Essentials You Need, According to a College Student

Your makeup mirror should have LED lighting, especially if you’re getting ready early in the morning while your roommate is still sleeping.

The Montauk Rattan baskets are my favorite storage bins. They look nice enough to keep out on display, will fit a surprising amount of your belongings and can easily slide under your bed or sit in your closet or on top of a dresser. I used four of them to store clothing under my bed last year, which made them easily accessible.

Invest in a good-quality desk lamp. I have honestly never used the fluorescent overhead lighting that my dorm rooms have come with, instead relying on natural light during the day and warmer-toned lamps at night. Even if you do use your dorm lighting, a good desk lamp is essential for doing homework without lighting up the entire room, and it makes your space feel much more comfortable. I’ve had mine for six years, and it is easily my favorite dorm-room purchase.

I’ve been through several different sets of bedding over the years, but this cotton gauze textured duvet has hands-down been my favorite. It is soft and stays that way even after plenty of washes, and I always get compliments on it. The crinkle texture makes it a little more unique than a standard duvet, and it comes with matching shams and color options.

I never thought to get a shoe rack until my roommate purchased one during my fifth year of dorm-living, and it was a game changer. It looks nice and organized and keeps all of your shoes in one place so that they don’t clutter the rest of your room!

Whenever I have friends stay over, this is great to have on hand. It is super soft, comes with washable covers, and folds up into a bean bag chair when it is not being used as a bed. It is also great for hanging out, doing homework, or adding some extra seating to your dorm room.

Any dorm slippers will work, but I like these because they have stayed clean and in good condition for several years. They are also a fairly common option, and for good reason.

Command Hooks are essential to making the most of limited dorm space. You can use them to hang towels, art, umbrellas, hats, bags, and just about anything else.

These quilts are unique, high-quality and handmade in India. I bought mine a few summers ago in Maine, and it has held up very well through countless dorm laundry machine washes. They come in a range of patterns that can add some color to an otherwise simple dorm room. I also like the Maritime Quilt, which uses a charcoal color to print maritime stripes on one side of the quilt and ships on the reverse side.

Any robe will do, but if your bathroom isn’t attached to your room, having a robe is much more comfortable and secure than walking back and forth in a towel, especially in a communal hallway. This one is absorbent, cozy and comes in several different sizes.

As far as bathroom supplies go, a shower caddy that stays in the bathroom is always better than one you have to carry back and forth from your room. Your products will get wet, so it’s better that they stay in your shower rather than in your room.