7 Dorm Room MVPs Every College Student Needs
Take that cinder block space from institutional to intentional.
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There are a lot of reasons for students to get excited about starting or returning to college—meeting new friends, living independently, expanding their worldly knowledge—but for me, outfitting my dorm room was always high on the list. I loved the challenge of turning a beige box with a standard-issue twin bed into a space that felt like a home and expressed me.
IKEA was always my first stop for essentials, and in the (many) years since my dorm room days, the Swedish retailer has upped its back-to-school game, continually rolling out new products that deliver both style and function. These are the hardworking essentials that every college student should be scooping up to create a functional, expressive dorm room from day one.
The first order of business in any dorm room: Add some color. This broad-striped comforter is the perfect amount of playful while still feeling polished—a perfect step up for the transition from high school to college.
Turn drab cinder block walls into an organizational opportunity: Accessories like baskets, hooks, and clips make easy work of a messy desk or dresser. Worried about drilling into the wall? Mount it on a desk with these simple connectors.
Mood lighting meets music in this chic little table lamp that doubles as a Bluetooth speaker. Available in pink and green colorways, it’s a front-runner to be the most-used item in the room.
A rug will really pull a room together, especially a room filled with builder-basic finishes. This bold checked number adds an easy air of sophistication.
Elevate dorm room dining with this set of microwave-safe dishes. The porcelain material gives grown-up energy, while the playful mix of colors keeps things fun—a balance that feels tailor-made for college students.
Any small-space dweller knows that smart storage is the key to keeping things tidy. Students can use these cloth boxes just about anywhere—in dresser or desk drawers, on closet shelves, under the bathroom sink.
Simplify laundry day with this free-standing hamper that has two handles on top, plus a third on the bottom to make emptying it right into the machine a cinch.
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