2025 Dorm Room Must-Haves

Let’s face it – you already have enough on your plate now that you’re back to hitting the textbooks and ensuring your assignments are submitted on time.

As a college student, making sure you feel welcomed in your own space is likely the last thing on your mind, however, what if I told you that it doesn’t have to be a hassle to ensure some self-care in your daily routine?

Keeping your dorm personalized doesn’t always have to be stressful. In fact, sometimes, all you really need are a few simple additions to make sure it remains a place you can call home. Here are a few simple additions that can bring your dorm room some comfort this season.

Picture Mural

Grab your Polaroid! We’re going to capture cherished memories the old-fashioned way!

We’ve all been in those rooms that are littered with photos or paintings of loved ones and beloved places. Why not put up some of that nostalgia yourself without worrying about leaving behind digital footprints? Besides, there has always been something personal about being able to hold onto something physical when reminiscing on a good memory.

There are many ways you can set up your mural, such as putting your pictures together to form a certain shape like a heart, or perhaps you wish to add accessories such as flowers or charms that represent key moments. Bring out your inner creativity and give it a whirl!

Classic Fairy Lights

Classic and cliché as they may seem in the eyes of many Pinterest users and designer fans alike, fairy lights always light up the room with their beauty, even in the dullest of spaces.

It’s ideal to place them above your desk or by the window to help illuminate the view from the outside. You can also lead them alongside the bed to highlight your pushed cushions and comfortable bedspread. Amid a dark room, they will certainly bring you a comforting ambiance as you relax and allow yourself to unwind after a long day.

Essential Oil Diffuser

A fragrance diffuser will add just enough extra to uplift any atmosphere. From sweet aromas to fruity perfumes, your preferred taste in scent will leave an impact on all your guests.

Not to be mistaken with the reliability of a humidifier, an essential oil diffuser’s sole purpose is to leave behind a pleasant balm of freshness that will mask any of the musk’s of body odor or lingering mildew, which, unfortunately, can be quite common especially when housing in older dorm facilities. You can pick whatever flavors suit your tastes and switch them up however often needed.

Floor Rug

Nothing brings out a room more than a splash of color, and if not on the walls, then perhaps something more subtle and soft like the views of a floor rug.

Whether you’re more comfortable with something simple to place by the door, or perhaps something a bit more meaningful to keep your feet warm against the cold wooden floor, you can’t go wrong with having a patterned centerpiece to keep your place cozy, as simplistic as it may seem too most.

Plastic Plants

Adding some greenage to your dorm room will certainly bring more life into its confinements. However, it can be somewhat tedious to maintain them, having so much to do on the regular. So why not meet the idea halfway?

Plastic plants have been the secret go-to decor for many, but not a lot of people are willing to admit it. You can place them anywhere without having to worry about them having enough sunlight or water. Simply dusting off your phony foliage now and then would be the only maintenance necessary to keep them looking well!

Heated Blanket

For the coming months of your new semester, you’ll likely need something cozy to keep you warm as you tuck yourselves in for the night, and what better companion to keep you warm than a heated blanket?

While not always necessary to use, a blanket will always be considered a blanket, and it’s always nice to have one on hand as you could loan it to a friend, keep it as a basic decorative, and more. Heated blankets come in a variety of sizes and colors, and being that dorm beds usually range from twin to full-sized; I recommend purchasing one an extra size up from both to maximize comfort!

Mini Desk Fridge

Having a fun-sized fridge to call your own will always be to your advantage in the long run. Not only can you keep your products to yourself, but they’re portable enough for you to take them just about anywhere.

Some of the main benefits to having one include the option of keeping your skin care products cool before use, putting away small beverages for those long all-nighters, or keeping baked goods by your bedside at the ready for a good midnight snack. You can find these types of fridges anywhere on the web for a reasonable price, so they’re not only friendly to your needs but are even friendlier to your wallet.

What have you thought about putting in your dorm room this year? Be sure to share your thoughts with others and let them know about what you think of the items suggested!