It can be scary settling into your new “home” as a college student officially living on your own. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of dorm room essentials, all under $50, that will help make you feel at home in your new dorm room. Your wallet will thank you!
1. Desk Lamp With Wireless Charger
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This desk lamp serves more than one purpose! It illuminates the study area, but it also charges electronic devices like cell phones and tablets. This lamp is perfect for the multi-tasker and comes in a bunch of cool colors including, silver, pink, mint, and gold. It’s currently on sale for $10.00 so don’t wait too long to order!
2. Mesh Swivel Chair
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Those late-night study sessions would be a nightmare without a bit of comfort. This swivel chair is height-adjustable with a breathable mesh fabric that allows air to circulate, adding to the comfort factor. It comes in a bunch of fun colors and fabrics and is currently priced at only $32.88 for select colors.
3. Terry Cotton Bath Towel 10-Piece Set
We get it. Buying towels can definitely add up, so we’ve found a 10-piece set that is perfect for the dorm room. This set is 100% cotton and comes with 4 bath towels, 2 hand towels, and 4 washcloths. This set of 10 is currently on Rollback for $13.99. Get ‘em while the price is right!
4. 3-Drawer Wide Cart
Sometimes dorm rooms simply don’t have enough storage options, which is why this wide cart is a great fit in any dorm room. Whether it’s snack storage or a place to keep all the socks, this cart features 3 clear drawers (which makes identifying its contents easier), ergonomic handles, and optional wheels. Currently, on Rollback for $14.96, this cart is flying off shelves. Don’t wait until the last minute to order yours.
5. Dorm Room Dinnerware
The dining halls are great, but when it’s time to chow down on some Ramen or a leftover slice of pizza, it’s important to have dinnerware on hand. Gibson Home has a dinnerware set of 12 (4 dinner plates, 4 mugs, 4 bowls) that comes in assorted fun colors. The hand-painted stoneware gives a feel of luxury for a situation that may be anything but. This set is priced at $29.99
6. Single Serve Coffee Maker
College is synonymous with late nights. The cure? Caffeine. We found this single-serve coffee maker that is slim enough to fit in any corner of any dorm. This coffee maker comes in an assortment of colors to fit any color scheme, is affordable, and keeps waste low, especially if you opt to use the reusable filter instead of K-Cups. This coffee maker is $19.92.
7. Waterproof Mattress Pad
When moving into a new dorm room, chances are the mattress has been used previously. There’s also a chance that at some point a drink or two will spill onto the bed. The best way to protect your college student (and their mattress) is with a mattress pad. This one is waterproof, soft, guaranteed to fit any mattress, and adds a layer of comfort with its quilted padding. You can get this mattress pad now for $17.99.
8. Microfiber Sheets
No bed is complete without a good set of sheets. Without breaking the bank, these sheets are soft, wrinkle-resistant, and include a flat sheet, fitted sheet, and standard pillowcase. You will find a variety of prints and colors, starting at only $8.44.
9. Shower Caddy
Dorm Life teaches us the joys of community sharing: the bedroom, the lounge, and the showers. A shower caddy is necessary to keep all of the hygiene essentials in one place, making for a quick trip to and from the showers. You want to make sure that it's roomy and strong enough to hold any liquids or gels. This is also a great accessory to use in the home for cleaning supplies! Get it now for $17.99.
10. Reversible Down Comforter
Two comforters in one? Perfect! This down comforter is guaranteed to keep your college kid warm on those chilly nights. It also gives them the freedom to switch things up if they’re in the mood for a change. This comforter comes in a selection of colors and is guaranteed to work with any dorm room vibe. It comes in all sizes and is available for $27.87.
Even if you've already shipped your child off to college, it's never too late to send them some goodies! We hope this list helps to ease any stress around your college student's new school year!
Jasmine Danielle is the Associate Editor of BlackDoctor.org. She received her BFA in Dance Education & Performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has since done work as a certified fitness & wellness educator, blogger, dancer, and designer.
