13 Stylish and Practical Dorm Room Buys

This tailored ottoman offers both seating and storage, which is in short supply in most rooms. It’s a comfy place to perch that isn’t the bed or desk chair, and the tufted top lifts off to reveal plenty of stowing space inside. Bonus: It can be folded flat and tucked away.

Any pro organizer will tell you that the secret to making the most of compact quarters is to go vertical, adding storage to walls and even doors. This clever cabinet hangs right over any door and swings open to reveal tons of jewelry storage alongside a full-length mirror. It’s even lockable, a plus in a shared space.

A small tiered storage cart can keep everyday essentials, from books to snacks, from piling up. Look for a style with wheels for easy rearranging and shelves with deep sides, so small items won’t fall off.

There are so many ways to use a two-cube organizer: as a bedside table, next to a desk, or under the hanging bar in a closet. Stock both cubbies with pull-out bins to keep stored items hidden, or leave a shelf open for easy access to books or other essentials.

There are never, ever enough places to plug in everything that needs a charge, right? So choose a desk light that not only brightens up a work space but offers two USB outlets to accommodate their phone/earphones/watch/ring light/etc.

Painting a dorm room their favorite shade is probably out of the question, but that doesn’t have to mean blank walls. Consider removable wall decals: Just stick them in place and remove (without damaging the wall) when you pack your student up at the end of the year.

This corkboard is a creative improvement on the boring versions of generations past. Tack up schedules, event notices, and to-do lists, plus instant pics of their new college friends.

Whether they’re strung across the ceiling, swagged along a wall, or wrapped around a bed frame, a string of fairy lights can give any new room a literal glow-up. Bright idea: LED bulbs are the longest-lasting, most energy-efficient option.

A dorm room bed is so much more than a place to sleep: It also moonlights as a sofa, lounge chair, and study space. Make it as comfy-cozy as possible with plenty of pillows and a super-soft sherpa fleece throw to curl up under.

A small area rug can help add softness and style to cold, hard dorm room floors. Word to the wise: Keep that new rug looking its best by choosing a washable style that’s small enough to fit in the dorm’s machines. (Whether or not they’ll actually take this step is anyone’s guess).

It can be difficult to know exactly what kind of organization systems will work best before seeing the space. But you can’t go wrong with a modular set in a single color — it will keep things looking neat and orderly whether the pieces are visible or tucked away inside dresser drawers

When they’re lugging dirty clothes to the dorm laundry room, a laundry bin that’s both sturdy and equipped with handles will be easier to carry than a shapeless bag. This roomy canvas tote style is also handsome enough to be left out in the open.

Cotton percale sheets feel crisp and cool to the touch — all the better to help them recover from late night study sessions. Mix and match multiple colors, for a more personalized look — and don’t forget to order the Twin XL size if that’s what their school’s mattresses require.