35 Dorm Room Essentials That Make College Life So Much Easier

"I relied on this compact coffee maker throughout my entire college journey," contributing writer Amanda Le emphasizes. "It seamlessly fit in any dorm or housing situation I had and likely saved me hundreds of dollars at Starbucks, which was absolutely essential given my tight student budget."

Your college student probably has more devices that need charging than there are outlets in their room. This compact yet powerful tower may be the solution to all their charging needs, and there’s even a mag-charging spot on the top.

Most colleges won't allow nails or screws in the walls, so Command strips are the next best thing for hanging pictures or creating a place to store keys and other essentials. They're easy to apply (no tools required) and should leave the walls damage-free.

As a mom, I know that clutter-free living requires underbed storage, and I like that these roomy drawers are on wheels. They can store clothes, bedding, shoes, or extra books and school supplies until you need them. Each metal drawer supports up to 66 pounds, and the see-through lid is a nice convenience.

For students who prefer studying at home over the library, a space-saving LED lamp is the perfect addition to your desk. You’ll get three color temperatures and five brightness levels. You can even charge your phone using its USB charging port, prop your phone up, or conveniently set a 30- or 60-minute timer.

Ruggable rugs are ideal for dorm life because you can toss them in the washer and dryer whenever they get dirty. The low weave is also built to be durable—and we wouldn't be surprised if it ends up in your first apartment. Get this 2x3-foot size for the area next to your bed, or choose from hundreds of beautiful designs with your roommates to share.

If you only take one piece of advice from the mom of a college sophomore, it’s this: Invest in a quality mattress topper that can last all four years. Yes, there are less expensive ones, but if you have to replace it even once, the cost adds up. Available with toppers ranging from two to four inches, the CopperFlex also features cooling properties.

With all of the traffic (and germs) bound to come in and out of your dorm room, an air purifier can help keep things feeling fresh. According to the brand, this one can clear the air in a 672-square-foot room every hour. It runs quietly at 24 decibels (quieter than a whisper) and even features a timer. Best of all, the filter is washable, saving you money by not having to buy replacements.

A tall and narrow cart like this one provides a lot of extra storage space. It’s just under 11 inches deep, comes in five colors, has extra hooks and baskets that hang off the sides, and there’s even a small drawer.

Whether you're dealing with communal showers or just prefer not to walk around the dorm barefoot, you'll need a practical pair of slides. These have non-slip soles, but most importantly, plenty of holes in the soles for draining, so they dry quickly.

Gone are the days of lugging around a clunky plastic basket to the laundry room. This backpack makes laundry trips so much easier, right down to the convenient pocket for your detergent. Plus, it folds up small when you’re not using it, saving space.

With limited space, any extra furniture needs to be both functional and cute. If you’re raising your bed, this 14-inch wide stool can give you a much-needed lift. Plus, there's storage inside, and it can serve as an extra seat when you have visitors.

The great thing about this vacuum is that it's cordless and portable, which means no fussing with wires when trying to clean your space. It also comes with attachments, making it much easier for you to access every crevice.

Paired with some ear plugs, this sleep mask will let you sleep peacefully no matter how late your roommate stays up studying. It’s lightly weighted, and all you have to do is drape it over your eyes. Bonus: No annoying headband dents in your hair the next morning.

Dorm room desks can run small, and many standard-sized hutches don't fit. This adjustable organizer is ideal, providing valuable extra storage space. Tip: Use Command strip hooks to hold a lanyard, keys, headphones, or other essentials off to the side.

Stay organized the old-school way! Keep track of class assignments, goals, work, and even your new-and-improved social calendar, all in one book. Plus, Papier has a bunch of pretty covers to choose from, if this vintage-inspired one isn’t your style.

There will be nights when you want to go to bed earlier than your roommates, and that's when a comfortable pair of earplugs will be your favorite dorm room accessory. The set comes with four ear tip sizes and a carrying case so you never lose them.

"This Brita has been a staple in my kitchen since college, and now, five years later, it’s gotten even smarter with a built-in filter indicator that tells you when it's time for a change,” Le says. Just remember to refill it regularly, especially if you share it with others.