Top Must-Have Items for Your Dorm Room: Practical and Organizational Essentials

Heading off to college and moving into a dorm room can be an exciting but daunting experience. To make your transition smoother, we've compiled a list of just a few of the top practical and organizational essentials you'll need to make your dorm room feel like home. From heavy-duty power cords to versatile storage solutions, these dorm room essentials will help you stay organized and will maximize your space. 

Let's dive in!

1. Portable Monitor for Macs and PCs. Working from home, I move around a LOT. While our home offices have second monitors, I’m out of luck if I want to work in the kitchen or go to a coffee shop. And let me tell you, I’m reliant on my second monitor. At a recent workshop I led, one of the attendees had this monitor, and let me tell you I RAN home to purchase it. It’s totally plug-and-play with my MacBook Air, and the travel case even doubles as a stand (though admittedly, not a very secure one). It’s powered by a USB-C cord (which comes included) and has a variety of brightness and blue light selections to choose from.
   
2. IKEA Frakta Bag Dupes. Frakta bags are all the rage for moving, but if you’re not near an IKEA, they can be hard to come by. These bags fit PERFECTLY in College Boxes moving boxes, and they can even serve as a checked bag (although I hear it’s recommended to double-bag them. They fit a TON, and the rectangular shape means they’re easy to stack and store when full. And when empty, they lay totally flat. Win-win!
3. Nutribullet Blender. My son is the smoothie king, and I knew he was going to need his own Nutribullet to take to college. This little blender packs a big punch and pulverizes ice and frozen fruit like nobody’s business. Plus, it goes from blending cup to on-the-go cup with a simple switch of tops. And it's compact size means it's easy to stow.
4. Heavy-Duty Extension Cord/Surge Protector. Every student needs a reliable power strip with surge protection and multiple outlets for charging their electronics and keeping appliances humming along. Opt for a long, heavy-duty option like this one to accommodate all your devices. Some schools prohibit traditional extension cords, but this surge protector will get the thumbs up.
5. Mattress Topper. Dorm mattresses can be uncomfortable on their own, but if you invest in a good topper, they can feel downright dreamy. (My daughter said her dorm bed was actually more comfortable than her bed at home, thanks to her mattress topper.)
6. Bedside Caddy. Keep your essentials within reach with a bedside caddy. This hanging organizer can hold your phone, glasses, books, and other small items.
7. Multifunctional Desk Lamp. A compact LED desk lamp, such as the AFROG Multifunctional LED Desk Lamp, provides adequate lighting for late-night studying and saves space on your desk. It also boasts five lighting modes, a USB charging port, and a wireless charger.
8. Space-Saving Hangers. Maximize your closet space with non-slip, velvet-covered hangers. Their slim design lets you get more clothes in your small dorm closet, and the velvet cover keeps clothes on the hanger and off the floor.
9. Under-Bed Storage Containers. When every inch of space counts, don’t forget to use the space under your bed for storage. Clear, stackable storage containers like the Sterilite ClearView Latch Box make it easy to find and access the things you need — but don’t need right now.
10. Shower Caddy. A portable shower caddy helps you transport your toiletries conveniently to and from the bathroom. Extra pockets make it easy to store all your beauty products, and the mesh design ensures everything dries out post-shower.
11. Mini Fridge With Freezer. Keep snacks and beverages (and maybe even an emergency pint or two of ice cream) on hand with a compact mini-fridge and freezer combo like the BLACK+DECKER Compact Refrigerator. Don’t let its space-saving design deceive you — it’s got ample space for storing all those midnight snacks.
12. Bed Risers With Outlet. Create extra storage space by safely raising your bed with bed risers. The Holdn’ Storage Bed Risers provide ample height while ensuring stability. Bonus: Extra outlets and USB ports help you maximize electrical access!
13. Over-the-Door Shoe Organizer. Maximize your closet space with an over-the-door shoe organizer. This mesh organizer with 24 pockets can hold shoes, but it’s also a perfect place for stashing accessories, hats, gloves/scarves, and other small items.
14. Magnetic Whiteboard. Stay organized and keep track of important dates and tasks with a whiteboard — and use its magnetic features to keep favorite photos and mementos visible. The Quartet Magnetic Whiteboard is dorm-size friendly and will make sure you don’t miss anything on your to-do list.
15. Command Strips. You want to make your dorm room feel like home – without leaving a trace of damage when you move out. Take an assortment of Command Strips to hang everything from whiteboards to posters to purse hooks and be confident they’ll easily pull off when the year ends.

While this is just a fraction of the things you'll need for living a great life at college, these dorm room essentials are still a good start. Tell me: What else are must-buys for dorm living?