42 Dorm Room Essentials Every College Student Needs

Take advantage of what little closet room you'll have with a unit that offers both shelf space and drawers – all without sacrificing precious hanger space, thanks to the built-in rod underneath. With its four color options, this addition will def match any room aesthetic.

Save your desk drawers for the stuff that matters (like your massive lipstick collection) and store your pens, notebooks, and day planner in a compact organizer that won't take up too much desk space.

Your dorm room will probably already come with a desk, but let's be real, it's nice to do homework in bed every now and then. Enter: the lap desk. This option features slots for both your phone and tablet, plus, a mousepad, cushioned wrist pillow, and a wooden topper to keep your gadgets nice and cool. Also included: a handle for easy mobility.

Pro tip: avoid buying shower caddy without a mesh bottom. The plastic ones usually end up filled with mold since they can't drain as well, and toting mold around while you're trying to get clean isn't exactly ideal.

How many phone chargers is too many? The limit does not exist! Add two more USB ports to your collection with this functional clip-on night stand. The tray is 14" x 9" — plenty of space to store your glasses, phone, journal, remote, and your preferred midnight snack.

You'll most likely be sharing your dorm room with a roommate, meaning that half the space in the room is going to be occupied by their stuff. Maximize your side by organize things neatly underneath your raised bed in breathable, zip-up storage units like these aesthetically pleasing ones from Open Spaces. You'll be surprised at how many items of clothing fit inside.

You probably never even thought to add this to your shopping list, but between study seshes and 2 am trips to the vending machine, a vacuum cleaner is a requirement. This under-$40 mini has a full portfolio of 5-star reviews to rival the $250 versions. You can use it as a standing cleaner or break it down into a handheld vacuum.

All that open space above your desk is just waiting to be filled with text books, picture frames, and lots of beauty products. This shelf will help you pull it off.

With a handy clip detail, you can attach this fan to your bunk, desk, or bookshelf – a major space-saver in a cramped dorm room. Even if your building is air conditioned (some aren't), you're going to wish you had a little extra breeze in warm climates or the summer months – or when you just feel like channeling Queen Bey.

By the time you sit down on your mattress come moving day, it's probably already been slept on by years worth of students, and tbh, usually isn't very comfortable. Soooo yeah, you're gonna want to get a mattress pad. This version combines the best options: memory foam infused with a cooling gel (and it's a #1 bestseller on Amazon). Believe me, this thing will make your dorm bed more comfortable than your bed at home.

Solve the issue of limited outlets in your dorm room with this two-in-one portable charger stand that allows you to juice up your iPhone and your AirPods at the same time.

Freshman year, you might have a campus meal plan, but dining halls aren't open 24/7. Pack your mini fridge with (free) leftovers from the cafeteria for later, snacks, or your favorite skincare, of course.

Dorm rooms can get drafty, and you'll be happy to have a cozy throw blanket at the end of your bed for those cooler nights or late-night study sessions.

Leave the single-use plastic behind when you head into college. You'll save the planet (and some money too) with these squishy baggies you can use for years and years. Pack them with fruit, cookies, chips, lipstick, and pencils – they'll hold any and all school essentials.

For some reason they make dorm beds much longer than your average twin, so you've got to buy specialty sheets to match. Along with the extra inches, this set also comes in a ton of different colors and it has a built-in pocket for your phone.

You probably already have a set of these LED lights strung around your bedroom at home, so invest in a second to keep those exact vibes in your dorm room.

These potato slippers protect your feet from those chilly tile dorm floors, but if you’re looking to get super cozy, plug them into any compatible USB port (like your computer or laptop) to heat them up in seconds. And, we don't know if we made this point clear, but they're slippers shaped like potatoes. Yeah, it's pretty awesome.

TBH, lots of your time in college will be spent doing laundry. You need a sturdy, roomy bag that can fit like a month's worth of dirty clothes. This option from JanSport, made from surplus materials, features a handle, adjustable shoulder straps, a zippered mesh pocket and a drawstring outer pocket to hold your money, keys, and fabric softener sheets.

Alright fam, it's about to get real. Laptop thefts on college campuses are super common, so adding a burglar-proof lock to your packing list is a necessity. This one has a coated steel cord that stretches 6.2 ft. (there's also a 6.6 ft. version) and comes with two keys. Unlike the options that come with a combination lock, you won't run the risk of forgetting your combo.

Luckily, you won't have to stuff all of your clothes in drawers and storage bins. You'll likely have some hanging closet space in your dorm room, so take advantage with these slim, no-slip hangers that can hold your most precious items in place all year long.