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We asked our Grown and Flown community for their best ideas for dorm supplies and furnishings that their teens ALWAYS used. While you may have covered the shopping basics, here are dorm ideas you might not have considered. Your teen might not want anything but the most basic dozen necessities; however, some of these extras could be game-changers for your college student!
Best Dorm Ideas
1. SureGuard Mattress Encasement Twin XL (Amazon)
A mattress encasement was the #1 most purchased dorm item from this list during last summer’s college season. We like this one from SureGuard because it is waterproof, bed bug proof, hypoallergenic, has a 100% cotton terry top, with a 10 year guarantee. Take a look at the different options for dimensions to make sure you have one large enough to cover the depth of a bed topper, if you’ve purchased one.
2. Levoit Mini Air-Purifier (Amazon)
Dorm rooms are stuffy and dusty. This mini air-purifier by #1 brand Levoit does triple duty by helping students live in a cleaner environment, sleep more easily with the white noise emitted at night and benefit from aromatherapy with a few drops of essential oils applied to the built-in aroma pad. This has become a very popular dorm purchase during the last few years.
3. WOOZOO Fan (Amazon)
These fans have become wildly popular. The WOOZOO brand is available at several price points but we think this one would be helpful for your teen in their dorm. It is compact and light-weight and can fit easily on a desk, has 3 speeds and is affordable. Even in air-conditioned dorms it can be stuffy.
4. Gorilla Grip Mattress Slide Stopper and Gripper (Amazon)
Who knew there is such a thing as a “mattress slide stopper and gripper?” Grown and Flown parents rave about how this thin, dual-sided grip pad (in twin XL size) keeps the mattress topper from sliding off the plastic dorm mattress. This inexpensive dorm idea is genius!
5. Master Lock Personal Safe (Amazon)
Is your teen taking prescription medication, keepsake jewelry, or a passport to college? This compact safe may be exactly what they need to keep these valuable things secure. This one has a cable to tether the safe in their dorm room.
6. Wundermax Doorstop (6-pack)(Amazon)
Make friends, meet new people, and not get locked out of your dorm room during move-in day. Never has such a small, inexpensive item accomplished so much. Wundermax only offers these in 6 packs but why not bring the extras along and share with new hall-mates?
7. Aiduy Bedside Caddy (Amazon)
Elevated beds make it difficult to have a nightstand to hold a book, phone, water bottle, glasses etc. This bedside caddy has eight pockets with spaces for all.
8. Shout Stain Remover Kit – 12 count (Amazon)
Laundry at school is not like laundry and home; teens need all the help they can get. They may not soak a stain or be able to treat it right away, so give them a box of these Shout Wipes Towelettes.
9. Magnetic Paper Towel Holder (Amazon)
We all need paper towels close at hand and, with this magnetic roll holder on the side of a mini-fridge, your student will have it close at hand where spills are often likely to occur. This one is #4 in the paper towel holder category.
10. Brita Metro Pitcher – 6 cup capacity (Amazon)
Students need to have a water bottle with them during the day, which they can fill at stations around campus. This smaller model, holding 6 cups of water, is a perfect size for keeping filtered water cold in a mini fridge. Brita is the #1 brand in the water pitcher category on Amazon.
11. Simple Houseware Over-the-Door Shoe (and Stuff) Organizer (Amazon)
This lightweight shoe organizer fits over a door and can hold much more than shoes. Students use it to store snacks, toiletries, Clorox wipes, school supplies, and more.
12. Dreamcare Twin XL Sheets with Pocket for Phone (Amazon)
Another solution for securing a phone at bedtime is a bottom sheet with a pocket. These are available in multiple colors.
13. Amazon Basics Clothes Drying Rack (Amazon)
Another thing my daughter used every time she did laundry was a drying rack for her workout gear and any delicates. This folds up and stores easily and is rated #1 on the Amazon site for standing dry racks.
14. IKEA Frakta Bags – 4 Pack (Amazon)
These big blue bags made by IKEA have long been a Grown and Flown favorite but they stopped selling them on Amazon last year. Happy to report they are back! The most durable, lightweight and well-priced bags are a MUST.
15. Johnson & Johnson First Aid Kit (Amazon)
It’s crucial to send your teen with a first aid kit of the basics — bandaids, pain relief, something for cold and cough. This one has 160 pieces and has your teen covered with many of the basics plus it is FSA and HSA eligible.
But, it is crucial that you add the cough and cold medicines that YOUR teen is accustomed to using to add to this kit of basics. Review the dosage instructions before drop off so they know what is there when they are sick at 2 AM!
Also, look at this incredible list of additional items to think about from a pharmacist/college mom in case there are other things that are right for your teen.
16. Boncare 10 Seconds Oral Thermometer (Amazon)
Your college student NEEDS to be able to take their temperature as a vital way to diagnosis how sick they might be. This one is the best-selling brand on Amazon. FSA and HSA eligible.
17. Black + Decker Mini Fridge (Amazon)
A mini-fridge in a dorm room is something that most college students will want to have. First, check with the residence section on the college website to see what is allowed; come colleges require you to rent one from them. Also, suggest to your teen to coordinate with a roommate before buying or renting, This one, by Black + Decker has nearly 15,000 4.2 ratings.
18. Belkin 12-Outlet Surge Protector (Amazon)
We have surgery protectors on all of our dorm lists because we feel so strongly about the safety of your teen and your teen’s expensive electronics! We recommend this one by industry-leader Belkin because it has 12 AC Outlets, 2 USB-A Ports and 1 USB-C Port, and a 6ft Cable It is UL-listed w/ Overload & Overvoltage Protection and the On/Off Switch makes it easy to turn off when not needed.
19. Max Hauser Slim Rolling Cart (Amazon)
We can see loads of uses for this slim-profile cart both in the dorm and, later, in an apartment. If your teen is in a suite-style dorm this is a great option for rolling in what they need into the small, shared bathroom space and rolling back out to their bedroom when done. This might also be used as a side table next to a dorm bed or a desk. It is available in available in five colors.
20. WOWMAX Twin Bolster Pillow (Amazon)
Most dorm beds don’t have headboards, and being able to prop up to read or study can be uncomfortable. This oversized bolster pillow is available in seven colors and has a washable cover. Many of our Grown and Flown members say their students loved having this pillow.
21. Pool Noodle (Amazon)
Use a pool noodle to close the gap between the dorm bed and the wall to prevent phones or other valuables from slipping through the space and falling to the floor. These are available in two-packs, so bring both and share with a roommate.
22. Damp Rid Fragrance- Free Hanging Moisture Absorber 3-pack (Amazon)
This best-selling product on Amazon was recommended by many Grown and Flown parents who liked the moisture-absorbing properties of Damp Rid which they credit with eliminating musty odors and inhibiting mold and mildew.
23. 3″ Vinyl Coated S-Hooks 10-Pack (Amazon)
This is an inexpensive idea for creating extra spaces for hanging a jacket, a tote bag or wet towel off the end of the dorm bed.
24. Washable Rug for Dorm Room 5×7′(Amazon)
25. Coleman Camping Folding Chair (Amazon)
When new friends come over to hang out in your student’s dorm room there are few places to sit. A folding chair can solve that problem. Plus, they can be useful for tailgates, too.
26. Conair Double-Sided LED Lighted Makeup Mirror (Amazon)
Illumination in a dorm room is often limited to overhead lighting, and communal bathrooms may not be conducive to putting on makeup. This mirror has 1x and 7x magnification and is powered by 3 AA batteries (not included.)
27. Rubbermaid 12.4 Gal Trash Can With Lid (Amazon)
College dorms may come with trash cans (check the college website to see if you student’s does) but they are often quite small which can result in an overflowing mess! This one holds 13 gallons and has a pedal for hand-free use. Rubbermaid is a trusted brand for quality, long-lasting products and this trash can is something that can be used for four years of colelge and beyond. Don’t forget a box of trash can liners!
28. Glamburg Bath Towels – Set of 2 (Amazon)
Your teen can bring towels from home or, if you want them to start their dorm life with a new set, please remember that if you have a teen who is doing sports, they may need more than one or two towels since they will often shower a few times each day. Glamburg towels are 100% cotton and dry quickly. They come in a set of two and there are many nice colors to choose from.
29. Electrolux Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner (Amazon)
A slim vacuum cleaner is one thing that many people said their students could not live without while others said their teens spent zero time cleaning. This one is lightweight and powerful and works for 48 minutes between charges.
30. Hanging Closet Organizer (Amazon)
A closet organizer easily stores folded clothes in a closet, freeing up drawer space. This versatile shelving system can even be used for accessories or purses and is made from breathable poly-cotton canvas with sturdy metal hooks and reinforced shelves.
31. EazeHome Fridge Cart (Amazon)
A fridge cart is ideal for elevating a mini fridge for easy access to food. The bottom drawers can store non-refrigerated snacks, paper towels, and cleaning supplies. This holds up to 120 pounds.
32. Haddockway Wooden Coat Rack Stand (Amazon)
Dorms are notoriously short on hanging space — and you’re not allowed to use nails. Thankfully, this coat tree offers a multitude of hooks for hanging coats, jackets, umbrellas, towels, and backpacks. It is also adjustable to move the branches to fit the space best. Number 1 bestseller in this category on Amazon.
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
Why You Should Trust Us
The Grown and Flown team includes three moms who’ve raised 8 young adults and have been working on product lists for over 12 years now, making them experts. When selecting products they survey the Grown and Flown Parents Facebook group of nearly 300,000 parents of teens, tweens and young adults. They do opinion polls, surveys and ask open-ended questions. They search for products that combine reasonable prices with high quality and are recommended by the large following. With recommendations from major retailers, trustworthy publications, and social media influencers, this post selected a range of products, paying close attention to reviews and price tags
More Great Lists:
College Move-In Day: 11 Things That Will Save Your Life — 12 of the most useful things our Grown and Flown parents told us they could not live without on move-in day.
Top 20 Bestselling Dorm Essentials — You can find longer lists, but some of those recommendations are for things your teen may never use. These 35 things are the most popular for most students living in dorms.
