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It’s time to go back-to-school, and if you’re in college, that means that you’re possibly going to be living in a dorm. Here are 15 products I recommend to make your living situation better!
1. Mini Fridge.
Choosing a mini fridge for your dorm room is one of the most important decisions you can make. It can be used to store food and drinks, or it can also double as a space for you to keep your snacks cold. You don’t want to get a fridgeless refrigerator because they are bad for the environment, but when choosing one it’s important that it has decent quality so that it doesn’t break down easily and become unusable after just a few months. Here are some things to consider when buying a mini fridge:
- Check the size of your dorm room before purchasing anything! Most refrigerators won’t fit into small spaces so if you have limited space then choose wisely
- Look into buying an energy efficient model since electricity costs are high in college dorms
2. Mini-freezer.
Mini-freezers are especially useful in dorm rooms because you can use them to store food and drinks, which then keep those items fresh and cold. A mini-fridge can be used for storing medications, such as Tylenol or Benadryl. It also makes a great place to keep snacks or meals for when your mom comes to visit!
3. Microwave.
You are going to want a microwave. You’re going to need one and they’re essential, especially when you’re living in the dorms.
They’re also more affordable than you may think, so don’t worry about that! A microwave will make your life so much easier and give you more time for other important things like sleep and friends.
4. Instant Pot.
Instant Pot is a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, yogurt maker, sauté and warmer all in one. It’s convenient to have one appliance that can do so many things instead of having several different appliances taking up space on your dorm room countertop.
Instant Pot is easy to use and clean and makes great meals!
5. Washing Machine Shelf.
A washing machine shelf is a must for any dorm room. It’s great for keeping your laundry organized and off the floor, so you don’t have to deal with dirty clothes touching the carpet or getting moldy from being left on the ground. By hanging up your wet clothes, you can keep them from wrinkling and spreading germs. This little space saver is one of those dorm items that’s hard to find in stores but totally worth it!
6. Quick dry towels
Quick-dry towels are one of the absolute best dorm room essentials. They’re soft, absorbent, and you can use them for a variety of tasks.
These are great for drying off after a shower or a dip in the pool. They can also be used to clean up spills on floors or tables (don’t worry about your roommate seeing you using their towel). You can even use them as a quick cover-up when guests come over unexpectedly—no need to rush into the closet!
Quick dry towels are made from microfiber or bamboo (though they may not always say so). Microfiber is made of tiny threads woven together so tightly that they make up what feels like “suede” fabric; this kind of material tends not only to dry quickly but is also very absorbent as well. Bamboo has similar properties with its tight weave and moisture-wicking abilities; however, it tends not to be quite as soft as microfiber.
7. Memory foam mattress pad
A memory foam mattress pad is a great investment. It can be used as a mattress topper or as a mattress, depending on your needs. Memory foam is designed to alleviate back pain and help you sleep better, so if these are things that relate to you then this will probably be worth looking into.
If you suffer from lower back pain when sleeping or find it difficult to get comfortable in general then memory foam is something that could really make a difference for you! It also helps keep your body warm during the winter months (or cold if it’s summer!), which is another reason why I think everyone should have one!
8. Pop-up clothes hamper
If you want to keep your dorm room looking neat and tidy, a pop-up clothes hamper is an essential. These hampers are great because they prevent clothing from getting lost in the mess on the floor of your closet or under your bed, and they’re easy to store when not in use. They’re also compact, lightweight and durable.
You can find these hampers at most stores that sell dorm supplies or online. You can get them in all different sizes depending on how much space you have available; they come in handy if you share a room too!
9. Over door hooks
Over door hooks are one of the best ways to keep your dorm room organized. They’re also well-suited for hanging heavier items, like coats or backpacks. Seriously, these things can hold up to a ton of stuff! They’re also great for keeping doors open – some models even have a magnetic component that allows them to hold the door open without screwing it in place. If you ever have guests over and need to keep your door propped open so they can see the rest of your dorm room and not just your bed (which is where I usually sit), an over-door hook is just what you need!
One thing we haven’t mentioned yet: they’re easy to install and remove! And if there ever comes a time when you don’t want them anymore, it’s easy enough just to unscrew them out with an Allen wrench (or whatever kind of wrench it takes). Once removed, they leave no holes behind either – so cleaning them isn’t hard at all!
10. Over door shoe organizer
- Keeps shoes off the floor.
- Holds a lot of shoes. The over door shoe organizer is a great way to keep your room and dorm closet clutter-free. It’s super easy to install, and it can hold up to 36 pairs of shoes (depending on size) in one convenient place. You’ll never have to worry about stepping on your dirty sneakers again!
- Organizes other items as well. If you’re looking for a way to keep all of your things organized while still making space in your dorm room closet, this is the solution for you! It will also hold purses, umbrellas and other accessories — perfect if they’re taking up too much space or are cluttering up shelves or closets!
11. Under bed storage box with wheels
An under bed storage box with wheels is great for storing items that you don’t use all the time. You can use it to store clothes, shoes, books or anything else that you would like to keep out of sight but within reach. These boxes are usually very affordable and can be found at your local Walmart or Target store.
12. Desk lamp with built-in USB ports and power outlets
A desk lamp with built-in USB ports and power outlets is a must for dorm rooms. It can be used to charge your phone, laptop and even your other electronic devices. There are many times when I’m studying that my phone dies or my laptop gets low on battery life. This is where this lamp comes in handy because it has two USB ports and two power outlets allowing you to charge multiple devices at once without needing an extra adapter or power strip!
I love how compact this lamp is! It’s small enough to fit on any desk or nightstand but big enough so that it casts light over the whole area of your workspace without having to worry about shining directly into your face while working on something important at home late at night after doing some last minute studying before heading off campus tomorrow morning!
Overall Rating 9/10 (would recommend)
13. Floating wall shelves
Floating wall shelves are great for storing items out of reach. They can be used to store books, games, and other items that you want to keep handy but not cluttering up your desk. Floating wall shelves can be installed on a wall or ceiling and still look fabulous! These floating shelves work well in dorm rooms because they can hold many different things like collectables or just random knickknacks. These floating shelves are very easy to install yourself (as long as you have the right tools).
14. Bedside caddy
Bedside caddy
This is the perfect place to store your phone, glasses, and other items you might need at night. The bedside caddy can be used for extra storage or as a charging station for your phone and/or glasses.
15. Desk caddy
A desk caddy is a must-have for your dorm room! Not only can it help you organize your school supplies, but it also provides you with a place to put your laptop and phone when you’re not using them. This way, you won’t have to worry about losing anything when you need to get up from your desk quickly or walk away from it for a bit.
A good desk caddy will have multiple compartments so that all of your items are separated into different sections. Some caddies may even have dividers that keep larger things separate from smaller ones (like pens/pencils). Keep in mind that this is an “essentials” list and not an “extras” one—so don’t go crazy buying tons of accessories for this item!
What you REALLY need in the dorms
- A mini fridge
- A mini freezer (it’s important to have a lot of space for all your snacks!)
- A microwave
- An instant pot (you can make so many things in one!)
- Washing machine shelf (so you don’t have to put your clothes on the floor)
- Quick dry towels (because it’s nice when they’re not soaking wet after showering)
- Memory foam mattress pad (for those late night Netflix binges)
Conclusion
Congrats on getting into college! You’ll have a blast doing all the things you’ve never done before: choosing a major, getting your first credit card, meeting new people from all over the world, and partying like an animal. You’ve probably already invested in some essential supplies to help you through this exciting time of life—but what about dorm room essentials? We’ve rounded up some pretty great products that will ensure your college experience is smooth sailing.
Here are 15 items no dorm room should be without:
- Mini Fridge – Because it’s nice to keep milk cold for cereal or leftovers fresh in case you want them later (and let’s face it, who doesn’t?).
- Mini-freezer – Because there are so many ice cream flavors out there just waiting to be tried!
- Microwave – Because we know how much students love their instant noodles and popcorn, but they don’t want to spend half an hour preparing them by boiling water/slaving over a stove top… right?
- Instant Pot” – For those who are more ambitious cooks than others–or anyone who wants an easy way out of cooking dinner every night without having to resort too often.”