Whether you're moving out of the house for the first year of college or returning for a senior year on campus, setting up the dorm room is something that requires planning ahead so you aren’t left scrambling when school starts. To make sure the college-aged guy in your life is ready to tackle living in a dorm, you'll want to make sure you get a few essential items.
Furinno Efficient Home Laptop Notebook Computer Desk
Every dorm room comes with a desk, but it might be in your best interest to upgrade and bring your own more versatile desk that better suits your needs.
You might be there to study, but you will inevitably want a television for downtime. And given all of your electronics, you can never have enough power strips, so why not splurge and get a power strip tower?
Ticonn Six-Pack Extra Large Moving Bags
Moving in and out of your college dorm will be hectic, so get your supplies ahead of time. They tend to sell out when you need them most, so make sure you stock up on moving bags.
Oxford Spiral Notebooks 6-Pack, College Ruled
Being out on your own for the first time can be fun and exciting, but don’t forget why you’re there. They always seem to find a way to disappear throughout the year, but you will always need notebooks and pens.
A quality backpack that can hold your laptop is another worthwhile purchase.
While you’re at it, getting a new laptop wouldn’t hurt either. For more ideas, check out our buying guide on laptops.
Rhino Trunk and Case Large Rhino Armor Trunk with Removable Wheels
This multipurpose storage trunk is perfect for your dorm room because it allows you to transport your items, lock up personal belongings, and make an excellent coffee table. It’s extra strong and durable and a very stylish statement piece for a dorm room.
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Moyad Mesh Shower Caddy Bag Organizer
Make sure you have everything you need when heading to the communal bathroom with this shower caddy organizer. It’s made from top-quality mesh and has a durable handle so that it can last all four years of school. It’s quick to dry, so you won’t have to worry about any lingering smells.
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Bare Necessities Dorm Room Multipurpose Cleaning Kit
When you don’t have a lot of money, the last thing you want to buy are cleaning products, so you might as well get all of the must-haves in one shot. This cleaning kit comes with an all-purpose cleaning solution, a glass cleaner, cloths, cleaning brushes, a dustpan and a mini sweeping brush.
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Dyson V8 Origin Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
An easy-to-use lightweight stick vacuum created for everyday use is just what every college kid needs. This Dyson vacuum is perfect for any dorm room as it can deep clean hardwood and carpet while easily converting to a handheld vacuum for difficult-to-reach crevices and even the car. In the Testing Lab, our evaluator was impressed by this Dyson unit's powerful motor and effective suction, as well as its lightweight build.
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Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR 3-inch Supreme Topper, Twin XL
Sleep is wildly crucial for a busy college student, and this comfort memory foam mattress topper that adjusts to the body can help ensure a good night’s sleep.
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Bare Home Bed-in-A-Bag Five-piece Comforter & Sheet Set — Twin XL
Make your dorm room a comfortable and relaxing space to unwind after a long day studying, with this bedding set. It includes a comforter, flat sheet, fitted sheet, pillow sham and pillow case. This machine-washable twin XL bedding set is easy to launder, has cooling technology and adds a simple and modern aesthetic to the dorm room.
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IIQ Desk Lamps for Home Office
This minimalist, modern and low-energy-consumption LED desk lamp will remind you to plug in or charge all of your tech accessories every time you turn it on. This USB lamp can charge multiple devices simultaneously and includes a USB charger and a type-c charger with fast-charging capabilities for any Qi-enabled phone.
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DormDoc 125-Piece Emergency First Aid Kit for College Students
If you’re a bit accident-prone, this 125-piece first aid kit allows you to head off to college prepared with the same TLC you get at home. This kit includes six over-the-counter medications, bandages and color-coordinated creams, making them easy to use and dispense.
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College guys are always hungry, and this mini fridge will allow you to remain fully stocked with all of your favorite snacks and drinks. An Energy Star rating helps keep the cost down, while the sleek, black design makes this item the coolest-looking dorm fridge.
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Nuloom Aisha Buffalo Plaid Gray 5 ft. x 8 ft. Area Rug
This stylish natural Buffalo plaid rug can handle heavy-duty traffic areas, such as a guy’s dorm room. This versatile rug is ideal to spice up a minimalistic room while protecting the floor from any potential damage you may accidentally cause.
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Vornado 5350 Compact Whole Room Air Circulator Table Fan in Black
Keep the dorm room cool with a portable and tiltable three-speed fan that moves air up to 75 feet. This desk fan ranges from light and quiet to powerful while creating circulation throughout the whole room, so you and your roommates can stay cool when the room gets stuffy.
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Ryan Dempsey writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
