Best Dorm Room Essentials for College Freshmen & Undergraduates

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

The first day of college marks the start of a new chapter in your life, and if you plan to live on-campus, your living quarters are changing drastically. While exciting, you’ll no longer be sleeping on the same mattress and will have to carefully choose what music posters you plan to decorate your minimal wall space with. Whether you’re a freshman, undergraduate or even graduate student, there are some dorm room essentials that you need to make sure you have by your move-in date.

Your dorm room will be more than just a place for you to sleep; it will act as a spot for hanging out with friends, studying and just lounging during your free time. That’s why it’s essential to create a space that’s both comfortable yet shows off your personality.

Back-to-school deals are currently going on, with everything from comfortable pillows, laptops and bedding discounted for a budget-friendly cost. You can take advantage of discounts and promos that’ll help you stock up on all the dorm room essentials. That way, you can kick off your first day of college feeling prepared and comfortable.

Keep reading to discover where to find dorm room supplies.

What Are the Best Dorm Room Essentials?

To help you stock up on the best dorm room essentials for college, ShopBillboard did the digging and created a list of must-haves to shop below.

If you’re looking to give your dorm room a funky flair that shows off your love of music, this portable record player from Victrola is for you. This record player is nestled in a vintage-inspired suitcase, making it easy to transport for our college students on the go. Amazon’s Victrola record player comes in a slew of colorways, although our favorite is Turquoise.

If you’re in the mood for music on the go, there’s nothing better than a portable speaker. From jamming out in your dorm to taking your tunes out on campus, this JBL Go 4 speaker can do it all, all for under $50. Don’t let the small size fool you. This portable speaker boasts major base and impactful sound. You’ve also got seven hours of playtime and Bluetooth compatibility for ease of use.

Everyone needs a good pair of headphones, especially college kids. JBL’s Tune 520BT Bluetooth Wireless On-Ear Headphones are affordable, easy to use and stylish, all things we think college students will appreciate in their music tech. The headphones boast JBL’s renowned Pure Bass sound and up to 57 hours of playtime. The Purple colorway is a stand-out for us, but the Black colorway is a versatile classic, too.

Your university-provided mattress is not going to be hotel-grade, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it cozier. This mattress topper is a No. 1 best seller on Amazon for mattress toppers with more than 40,000 purchased this month, so far. The design comes with a 2-inch thickness for added cushioning as well as a gel material that’ll help relieve pressure and conform to your body’s curves.

Make laundry day easier with this multipurpose laundry bag that can transform into a backpack. It comes with a roomy interior that can hold up to 45 liters of laundry and has a drawstring top to keep your clothes and bedding secure. Another notable feature is the pocket for storing your laundry detergent.

Save space but keep your bedside must-haves close with this compact bedside table. The BedShelfie can snap onto your bed frame and features a flat surface with enough space to put your phone and tablet while the built-in cupholder lets you hold your nighttime glass of water.

Rather than accept the harsh florescent lighting of your dorm, this chic table lamp will provide a soft glow when you’re winding down for the night. It comes with a monochrome greenbase and matching shade that will certainly add some style to your space. If the green hue isn’t your thing, the mini lamp also comes in an alternate chrome base with a butter yellow shade.

For less than $70 you can get all the bedding you can possibly need. This five-piece bedding set from Amazon comes with a reversible comforter, pillowcases, a flat sheet and a fitted sheet to effortlessly give you a complete bed set. Each piece is a coordinating shade of gray.

Make room for all of your belongings by adding some bed risers to your bed. There are three heights to pick from and as an added bonus, these come with built-in outlets and USB plugs giving you additional spots to plug in your electronics.

Urban Outfitters’ tiger bath mat is ready be the statement piece of your bathroom. It comes in the shape of the animal and includes a soft and fluffy material that’ll swaddle your feet in comfort while absorbing water.

Incorporating a storage cart is essential for storing your knick-knacks and toiletries without leaving your desk looking cluttered. Target’s version is made from a metal material and a three-tier design making it small-space friendly. The included wheel also make it easy for moving it from place to place.

Rather than have your toiletries precariously stacked in your hands, this shower caddy will carry it all and more while leaving you with extra hand space. The mesh material is breathable and quick-drying while the perimeter features a variety of pockets for storing all your shower essentials.

Dry off with these plush waffle towels that are crisp and absorbent. The set is 20% off and comes with a total of eight towels including four washcloths, two hand towels and two large towels.

Elevate your dorm room with this stylish ottoman that comes with secret storage. The exterior shows off a soft teddy material that’s available in a variety of colors paired with a textural appearance. When you take the lid off, you’ll be met with empty space to put all your small belongings.

Cool down with this portable fan that’s both compact and on sale for 69% off. You can customize the speed and temperature using the buttons on the front. Other features include the ability to put a timer on as well as make it oscillate.

These under bed storage bags will help keep your closet from overflowing. Made with fabric and clear plastic materials, the storage bags come in a 4-pack that you can fill with clothes, towels and jackets. The clear edges will allow you to see exactly what’s inside while the built-in handle means you can easily pull out the bag when you’re looking for that one sweater.

Check out your OOTD before you head to class with the help of Target’s over the door mirror. The design comes in a range of frame colors to pick depending on your style preferences and includes two hooks to attach and hang over your door.

Complete your bedspread with a soft throw blanket like this luxe one from Quince. The style comes with a cozy knit texture made from a cotton material that’s breathable yet will keep you comfortable on cooler days.

Avoid having clothes fall onto the floor with this 100-pack of velvet hangars. The body comes with a soft velvety material that’ll help keep your tops, dresses and more apparel in place while the metal top can twist around to easily hang clothing in the direction you want.

Space is a luxury that not every dorm room is equipped with, which means you’ll need to get creative with your storage. This shoe organizer can be hung up in your closet and uses a fabric material that’s easy to fold and move to your liking. There are also 10 slots to store your shoes without leaving your space feeling cluttered.

For more product recommendations, check out ShopBillboard‘s roundups of the best wearable blankets, vinyl record player accessories and spring break travel gear.