Psst! These Are the 11 Dorm Essentials You Missed During Move-In—and They’re on Sale
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From blackout curtains to coffee machines to personal fans.
Dorm shopping can be overwhelming. The lists of must-haves grow ever-longer, meaning you definitely “missed” something while moving into the college room—whether for yourself or a loved one. But whoever may be nesting in the small space, it’s now been a few weeks. You’ve gotten a feel for what you need to pick up versus what you don’t, and may be looking to fill in some gaps that make dorm living more comfortable, convenient, and stylish.
There’s no need to spend a fortune on the dorm room essentials either. As we’ve tested hundreds of products and scoured thousands of deals, we’ve rounded up some on-sale dorm essentials from retailers like Target, Amazon, and beyond to deck out your living space at a discount. Keep scrolling for some of our favorite deals.
Whirlpool 3.1-Cubic Foot Mini Refrigerator
Target
$220
$160
A two-door combination mini fridge and freezer can do a lot in a small space, and this Target pick is currently $60 off for a limited time. At 3.1 cubic feet, it’s just big enough to hold everything you need, with a wide freezer capacity to hold plenty more than just an ice tray. The durable stainless steel will stay in excellent condition over time, so you don’t have to worry about this fridge being a one move wonder either.
Multi Bohemian Chindi Braided Area Rug Area Rug
Rugs USA
$204
$82
A colorful rug can do wonders in a dorm room. It instantly adds personality and comfort to any space, while the multicolor weave is guaranteed to go with absolutely everything else you’ve picked out. Its medium-pile thickness is comfortable on your feet after a long day of classes or socializing. Plus, its intricate pattern and colorway hides stains, making it a favorite pick for kids’ rooms and other spill-prone areas.
Volnamal Legging Organizer for Closet
Amazon
$20
$18
While you may have folded your T-shirts neatly into those cloth bins or plastic under-bed shelves to start, you may find yourself rummaging more than you want to, mourning how easily they’ve gotten messed up. Or you simply may have run out of room. For those whose closets largely consist of activewear or similar, this legging organizer is a space-saving marvel when it comes to optimizing your wardrobe storage. Easily hang up and access shorts, crop tops, bras, tanks, and leggings.
Frigidaire 1.6-Cubic Foot Blue Retro Fridge
Amazon
$130
$113
Named The Spruce’s “Best Bedroom Fridge” thanks to its built-in bottle opener and compact size, the Frigidaire 1.6-Cubic Foot Blue Retro Fridge looks good and performs better. Attractive color choices means that your fridge looks like a consciously picked piece of décor rather than a hulking appliance. Better yet, it even fits under a lofted bed, making it an ideal choice for many dorm rooms and small spaces.
Valuxe Extra Thick Pillow Top Mattress Pad for Twin XL
Walmart
$95
$70
Maybe you thought to tough it out on that, well, tough dorm mattress. But after weeks of early studies and dorm hangouts, you may find yourself needing to optimize every scrap of sleep you do get, which means your bedding may need a major upgrade. Opt for a plushy, snooze-boosting mattress pad like this pillowtop version, now on sale for 26 percent off.
Z&L House Three-Tier Shoe Rack
Amazon
$35
$22
This lightweight, bamboo shoe rack is so easy to assemble (and disassemble, at the end of the year) but will save you the chaos of having a dozen shoes scattered around the room between you and your roommate. Instead, stick this under-$25 shoe rack by the door, or in your closet, for a tidy space. Plus, it will keep your floor cleaner, too, because you may not have a vacuum or mop handy to clean up the dirt or mud you may track in over time.
Holmes 4-Inch Mini High-Velocity Personal Desk Fan
Amazon
$30
$17
For many locations, the first few weeks—or even months—of the school year are swelteringly hot, and many students don’t have access to air-conditioning (or to tweak the unit themselves, if they’re used to customizing the temperature at home.) Regulating your temperature can make a massive difference in your comfort level and sense of control over your surroundings, especially during a period of uncertainty like entering a new school for the first time. This desk-friendly mini fan can keep you cool while studying, and even has an adjustable 360-degree head tilt. Shop it now while it’s a whopping 43 percent off at Amazon.
Room Essentials Sherpa Bed Rest Pillow
Target
$20
$18
A boyfriend pillow is an absolute godsend when it comes to hanging out in a dorm room. It can prop you up while you’re studying or relaxing, and provide some much-needed support if your bed is at an awkward angle that doesn’t have a headboard, too. The overall vibe is super comfy, and it’s even available in four different colorways.
Keurig K-Mini Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker
Target
$90
$67
This adorable single-serve coffee maker is a must-have for late nights, study sessions, and rolling out of bed for that 8 a.m. class—because sometimes dining hall coffee just doesn’t cut it. Available in six appealing colorways, this pod-based kitchen appliance also takes up minimal space; it’s narrow enough to fit on just about any surface in your dorm room. Score it now while it’s 26 percent off.
Casper Sleep Glow Light
Amazon
$129
$89
This user-friendly night light and lamp serves a variety of purposes. You can use it to wind down by twisting it to dim it, which is friendlier to your sleep routine than that overhead fluorescent lighting, or carry it with you to the restroom to avoid waking up your roommate or killing your phone battery. You can even control it with an app on your phone, setting schedules to automatically adjust your lighting at bedtime or wake up, which can be especially helpful if you opt for blackout curtains.
Bgment Blackout Curtains for Bedroom
Amazon
$26
$13
Speaking of, blackout curtains can go a long way in drowning out the sensory input of a college dorm. Lights, noises, speakers blasting past midnight—it can wreak havoc on one’s sleep schedule, so minimizing the external stimuli can be extremely helpful to those who may need complete silence or darkness to fall asleep properly. Plus, they can also be helpful on certain mornings in which you may have had a little too much fun the night before. Act now while they’re 49 percent off.
