BY ALEX NICOLE

Whether you have a communal bathroom or just a bathroom with little to no room for storage a shower caddy is important and will make your life much easier. Carrying your wet and slippery shower products to and from the bathroom is a pain. Mesh is easy when you can toss it in the washing machine to keep it clean and it won’t track water back the same way a plastic one might. – mesh washable 

https://amzn.to/3WLDOwa (Amazon)

It may seem like a good idea at the moment to save space and get a small trashcan but trust me, it’s not. You will have to empty that small little can nearly every day. Save yourself the time and the headache of doing so and just get a medium to large trashcan.

https://amzn.to/3WBYTc5 (Amazon)

A bedside organizer that can hook right onto your bedframe may seem simple but it can be so helpful. Even if you have a bedside table this will still come in handy every day especially if you put your bed on risers. Suddenly, you’re a couple of feet above the top of your bedside table. Getting one with separate pockets to keep things organized while also having a pocket big enough for a tablet and/or laptop is a must.

https://amzn.to/3AglfbD (Amazon)

Trust me, you will be getting ready at your desk often and dorm lighting is… not the best. So, unless you want to go outside and realize your face does in fact not match your neck a lit mirror is going to be your best friend. There are plenty of different styles and sizes of lit mirrors that you can get depending on your price range and how big you would like them. However, I think this three-temperature dimmable mirror with a mini 10x magnifying mirror and charging port is a good middle-range option.

https://amzn.to/4cm4JnT (Amazon)

If you would like a smaller option that is better for a tighter budget, this is also a great choice;

https://amzn.to/4dCleNy (Amazon)

Mini Fridge organizers – I’ll be honest I never even knew these existed until recently but wow, are they nice to have. Instead of storing everything on top of the fridge and knocking it over now you can slip it into a pocket on the side. It even has a wider pocket on one side to store your paper plates!

https://amzn.to/4dDmNeq (Amazon)

Shower shoes are a must no matter if you have a communal bathroom or a bathroom between you and your roommates. Sometimes it’s just nice to know there is an added barrier between you and the germs getting washed away daily. There are countless options out there, just remember to grab a pair with a way to let the water drain out so you’re not slipping and sliding every step you take.

https://amzn.to/3WGlOTx (Amazon)

Mattress toppers do run on the more expensive side when you start looking at quality materials and it’s tempting to cheap out but it’s already going to be an adjustment moving into a dorm and possibly sleeping right across from your roommate, don’t make it even harder on yourself by getting a cheap mattress topper that will deflate and make the little sleep you’re getting horrible quality.

https://amzn.to/3WBlqWB (Amazon)

I know, I know. You just moved in so why am I talking about moving out already? Well, the year is going to go by faster than you thought and you may not want to spend the money now but trust me after a year at college you definitely will not be any more eager to spend money on these later but, they will make moving and storage throughout the year so much easier. You most likely will not have a lot of closet space so instead of letting clothes that won’t be wearable based on the season just take up space, throw them in the bags, and bury them behind everything else under your bed.

https://amzn.to/3WCIft0 (Amazon)

A good comforter can make your bed that much cozier. I swear by this duck feather-down comforter. I still use it in my apartment to this day. (It isn’t technically a duvet insert however as long as you get one that uses strings to attach I think it works just as well if you tie them around the corner.) It’s soft to the touch and will keep you warm in the winter but won’t overheat you in the summer. NYC heatwave with no AC approved.

(I did link the Queen size comforter as I feel like the oversized blankets always feel a little more luxurious and it can help hide under bed storage : ) )

https://amzn.to/3SGDsFK (Amazon)

Bedsure is such a great and affordable brand. They have countless colors to choose from, the sheets are soft on your skin and it helps make that dorm mattress reminiscent of summer camp feel a little more cozy. I also recommend buying two sets so you can have a set on the bed when the other needs to be or is getting washed.

https://amzn.to/3SGDA8c (Amazon)

Throw blankets are essential to late-night study sessions. Sitting at that desk trying to focus? Well, get that blanket wrapped around you just right and now you can’t move because if you do, you may never get it just right again.

https://amzn.to/3WSxoMN (Amazon)

Okay I know, I have said some variation of the word “organize” roughly fifty times in this article but you don’t realize how important it is to stay organized until you’re living in a small space so these clear desk organizers are a great addition.

https://amzn.to/3WV5wHM (Amazon)

Fan! So beyond necessary. I would recommend seeing if you and your roommate would want to go in together to buy a larger oscillating fan or possibly a box fan but in the meantime, the Amazon basics desk fan has three different speeds and fits perfectly on your desk. (I ran this thing nearly 24/7 dropped it… more than I’d like to admit and it lasted about two years before it finally gave out. )

https://amzn.to/4dvDlFz (Amazon)

Picture it – it’s your first night in the dorms, you are tracking back from the communal showers, and not only do you realize you forgot your keys but in the process of patting yourself down in a panic trying to find them the weak knot you tied on your towel finally gives out and you drop everything to catch your towel from falling… hopefully. Save yourself that nightmare and just buy the towel wrap, it even has a pocket to safely tuck your keys and phone into.

https://amzn.to/4dfR3My (Amazon)

Buildable storage cubes are amazing because you can customize how tall and how wide you would like them and can leave everything visible or you can add a cloth storage cube which I will also link below.

https://amzn.to/4dfPHBo (Amazon)

Cloth Cube Inserts;

https://amzn.to/4fEMH3e (Amazon)

A portable desk that can go right over your lap is a great middle ground between working from your bed and working from your desk. Or if you are a floor person this is also a great to have to keep you from constantly slouching and looking down more than you need to.

https://amzn.to/4dcRozq (Amazon)

Your shoes are going to take up more space than you may think so over-door storage is a great option and if you don’t have a pair of shoes for every slot then get creative because that is yet another storage opportunity.

https://amzn.to/3YBLEe4 (Amazon)

Don’t waste your money on those plastic plates from Target that you know you aren’t going to want to wash when you are rushing to get out in time to make it to class. Leaving dishes in the sink can often become a topic to fight about so just get the paper plates and save both you and your roommate from the argument. You can even buy them from Amazon.

https://amzn.to/4daAHEO (Amazon)

Dorm rooms often don’t have a lot of outlets so a power strip is a great solution just make sure to check any rules that your dorm may have in place against them. I would look for one that plugs in and lays flat against the wall so it doesn’t get smashed between the wall and a desk, bed, dresser, etc., and one with a surge protector.

https://amzn.to/4dlKgkA (Amazon)

In case your dorm doesn’t allow powerstrips 6ft and 10ft powercables are a great alternative.

https://amzn.to/3WXEU9p (Amazon)

Mini Air Conditioners are great when your room gets muggy and hot in the warmer months. All you need is ice and a little water and ta-da you have a portable air conditioner.

https://amzn.to/46FpV76 (Amazon)

A mini projector is a great alternative to a TV you won’t be using as much as you may think. Not wanting to disturb your roommate or just not having the time will turn that TV into a paperweight. Instead, grab a mini projector that can just be tossed into a drawer when you don’t need it.

Plus this one can run a Roku stick!

https://amzn.to/46HlVTt (Amazon)

Main takeaways, get one that has some sort of lid and some kind of removable inner bag, preferably a breathable mesh bag that can also be washed. I also tend to lean more towards the darker colors so any water or moisture from a towel or other clothing can’t leave obvious stains.

https://amzn.to/3ytei6F (Amazon)