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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!
Do you have the Grown and Flown Off to College Checklist? It is all the things you need to do (legal, health and medical, financial) before your teen leaves for college. Download it (free) here. This is NOT a what to buy list.
Best dorm ideas
1. LEVOIT Mini Air Purifier
Dorm rooms are stuffy and dusty. This mini air purifier by #1 brand Levoit helps students live in a cleaner environment, even more important if they allergies to indoor or outdoor pollutants, and need to keep windows open in a dorm that does not have air conditioning. This is the air purifier we have at home and the compact size works very well in small spaces.
2. IRIS Desk Fan
These fans have become wildly popular. The IRIS 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 lightweight, has 3 speeds and is affordable. Even in air-conditioned dorms, it can be stuffy and hot during the first few months of school.
3. Gorilla Grip Mattress Slide Stopper and Gripper
Who knew there was 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!
4. Master Lock Personal Safe
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.
5. Wundermax Doorstop (3-pack)
Make friends, meet new people, and avoid getting locked out of your dorm room during move-in day. Never has such a small, inexpensive item accomplished so much.
6. Surblue Bedside Caddy
Elevated beds make it difficult to have a nightstand to hold a phone, water bottle, glasses, etc. This bedside caddy has 4 pockets.
7. Magnetic Paper Towel Holder – Seropy Store
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 in a handy spot where spills are often likely to occur.
8. Brita Metro Pitcher – 6 cup capacity
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.
9. Simple Houseware Over-the-Door Shoe (and Stuff) Organizer
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.
10. Dreamcare Twin XL Sheets with Pocket for Phone
Another solution for securing a phone at bedtime is a bottom sheet with a pocket. These are available in multiple colors.
11. Amazon Basics Clothes Drying Rack
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 drying racks.
12. TICONN Packing Bags – 6 Pack
These packing bags are lifesavers for move-in, plus they don’t take up much space after your teen is all unpacked. They are perfect for storing extra bedding or winter clothing your teen won’t immediately need.
13. Johnson & Johnson First Aid Kit
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, plus it is FSA and HSA eligible.
But it’s crucial you add the cough and cold medicines that YOUR teen is accustomed to using. 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.
14. Boncare 10 Seconds Oral Thermometer
Your college student NEEDS to be able to take their temperature as a vital way to diagnose how sick they might be. This one is #1 best-selling brand in Oral Thermometers on Amazon.
15. Anker Surge Protector
We have surge protectors on all of our dorm lists because most dorms do not allow extension cords and a surge protector will help keep your teen’s expensive electronics protected in case of a power surge. We recommend this one by industry-leader Anker.
16. Max Hauser Slim Rolling Cart
We can see loads of uses for this slim-profile (9″ wide) 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 five colors.
17. ComfortSpa Reading Pillow
Most dorm beds don’t have headboards, and being able to prop up to read or study can be uncomfortable. This pillow solves for that problem and can be something they use all for years of college.
18. Damp Rid Fragrance- Free Hanging Moisture Absorber 3-pack
This 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.
19. DINGEE 3 Inch Vinyl Coated S Hook (10-Pack)
This is an inexpensive idea for creating extra spaces for hanging a jacket, a tote bag or a wet towel.
20. Srugn Washable Rug for Dorm Room 5×7′
Many sizes and patterns are available in this low-pile carpet to soften your dorm room and make it feel more like home. Most importantly, it’s machine washable. Many Grown and Flown parents suggested that an inexpensive rug is the best choice since many of their teens’ dorm rugs were thrown out at the end of the year!
21. Coleman Camping Folding Chair
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.
22. Deiovwxs Magnifying Rechargeable Makeup Mirror
Lighting in a dorm room is often limited to overhead lighting, and communal bathrooms may not be conducive to putting on makeup, so a desktop makeup mirror can be very useful.
23. Rubbermaid 12.4 Gal Trash Can With Lid
College dorms may come with trash cans (check the college website to see if your student’s does), but they are often quite small, and that 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 college and beyond. Don’t forget a box of trash can liners!
24. Glamburg Bath Towels – Set of 2
Your teen can bring towels from home or, if you want them to start their dorm life with a new set. If your teen likes to work out or is doing sports, they may need more than one or two towels since they may 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.
25. YOUDENOVA Hanging Closet Organizer
A closet organizer easily stores folded clothes in a closet. 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.
27. EazeHome Fridge Cart
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. Can be used as a printer stand, too.
28. Haddockway Wooden Coat Rack Stand
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.
29. Apple AirPods Pro 3
if your teen needs an upgrade in their AirPods, these have excellent audio quality and noise cancellation, too. The AirPods 4 are also a great option and are more affordable, at $144.
30. Bagsmart Toiletry Bag for Men
Your son may prefer a toiletry bag versus a shower caddy and this one has some nice features: it is water-resistant and has a broad opening at the top (via two zippers) for easy access. Lots of pockets and sections to keep bottles upright. This has been a very popular dorm item and would work well when he travels, too.
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 14 years now, making them experts. When selecting products, they survey the Grown and Flown Parents Facebook group of over 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.
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