10 Helpful Accessories For Your College Dorm Room
- 4 Min Read
- We created a list of essential accessories that students need for their dorm room.
- Every item on the list includes a need vs. want rating score, product recommendations, and helpful student commentary.
- Dorm essentials are indicated by a checkmark and you can click on any item to jump to our review.
Essential Dorm
Accessories
Area Rug
Need vs. Want Rating
Products We Recommend
Frequently Asked Questions
College dorms usually have basic tile or concrete flooring, which leaves your feet cold and the room looking bare. Most students end up bringing an area rug to spruce up their living environment. The square footage of your dorm room will determine what size rug you should bring, so double check with your college before making a purchase. Sizing options include Small (3’ x 5’ = 15 sq. ft), Medium (5’ x 8’ = 40sq. ft), Large (6’ x 9’ = 54 sq. ft), and Extra-Large (9’ x 12’ = 108 sq. ft)
Comfy Chair & Futon
Need vs. Want Rating
Products We Recommend
Frequently Asked Questions
Having a futon or comfy chair is one of the best ways to socialize and make new friends in college dorms. We’ve noticed that students with additional seating for others tend to have more lively dorm rooms compared to those with a basic set up. We recommend you review your university’s policy on furniture and view the floor plan before making a purchase, as you’ll need to determine if you have the necessary space.
A popular space saving solution is to raise your bed in order to place a futon underneath! If you decide that a futon or bean bag chair is worth bringing, have a discussion with your roommate about splitting the cost.
Surge Protector
& HDMI Cord
Need vs. Want Rating
Products We Recommend
Frequently Asked Questions
Most universities prevent the use of extension cords and basic power strips, which is a problem considering dorm rooms usually don’t have enough power outlets for all the electronic devices used between roommates. An easy solution is to use a standard 6-foot surge protector, preferably one with at least 6 outlets and USB charging ports. Using a surge protector will give you easy access to available outlets and protect your electronic devices from short-circuiting. While damage to your devices is unlikely, you can always pick a brand that offers a connected equipment warranty.
Speakers
Need vs. Want Rating
Products We Recommend
Frequently Asked Questions
Speakers are a popular dorm room accessory, especially for students who enjoy listening to music or hanging out with friends. You don’t need to bring an expensive system, any portable speaker with Bluetooth connectivity should do the trick.
TV & Gaming Console
Need vs. Want Rating
Products We Recommend
Frequently Asked Questions
Most students have a TV in their dorm room for watching their favorite shows and movies or playing video games. Although we believe it’s an item worth bringing, you can always get away with streaming content on your laptop. If you’re interested, we’ve compiled a huge list of video streaming services with discounts and free trials for college students.
Room Fan
Need vs. Want Rating
Products We Recommend
Frequently Asked Questions
The quality of air conditioning depends on the university, but older residence halls usually have more maintenance problems. We recommend you read reviews about your assigned dorm or contact your college to determine if it’s worth bringing. You can also join your schools Facebook group to ask current students about their experience living there.
Wall Decorations
Need vs. Want Rating
Products We Recommend
Frequently Asked Questions
Wall decorations are a great way to make your dorm room feel more like home. Popular options include posters, flags, tapestries, string lights, and photo displays. Please remember to double check your schools policy on hanging items on the walls, since some prohibit the use of thumbtacks and certain types of lighting.