When it comes to planning your move to college, creating a cozy dorm room that feels like your own is a key thing to do. It's important to get it right, which is why I recommend scooping up essentials that are cute and cozy.
One of my favorite places to scout these out is Pottery Barn Teen's dorm shop, so I've spent three hours looking through its site for essentials that will transform your space. I'm a former student and I've been writing about dorms for Real Homes for the last year and a half, so you can trust my eye for pieces that as pretty as they are practical.
If you're searching for dorm essentials that will give your new space a glow up, these are all worth checking out.
Pottery Barn Teen dorm essentials
Sizes: Twin/twin XL, full, queen
Made from: Cotton
Price: From $99
Add a touch of chicness to your room with this sweet striped sheet set. Most dorm bedding will need to be twin/twin XL as this is the standard bed size, but you could go for a full if you have a slightly bigger room or know you like bundling up. I love the pink, but it does also come in green or blue if you want to go for a more nautical look.
Size (in.): H31.25 x D16
Made from: Recycled polyester
Price: $54.50
I wish I'd known about this when I was in college, because the amount of hours I'd spend lugging laundry across my accommodation was ridiculous. You can put your laundry into it, put detergent in the pocket, and then put the whole thing in the washing machine. Genius, right?
Size (in.): H32 x W40 x D2.5
Made from: Polyester
Price: $149
It can be tempting to go for a colorful dorm headboard, but I recommend getting a plain one like this, as if your personal taste changes in the year it'll go with any dorm decor. You can also pin pictures to it to showcase your new memories with your college friends.
Sizes: Wash cloth, hand towel, bath towel
Made from: Cotton
Price: $73.50
These towels are made from special quick-drying technology, which is perfect as you don't want musty towels making your small dorm bathroom smell bad. You can also personalize them to ensure your dorm roommates don't try and claim your lovely new towels as their own.
Size (in.): H9.5 x W7.75 x D7.75
Made from: Recycled polyester
Price: $19.99
Keep all your toiletries neatly contained in this handy shower caddy that's perfect for shared bathrooms in dorms. This is made from over six recycled water bottles, so not only is it a great pick for your new place, it's also a great pick for the planet.
Size (in.): H18.5 x D16
Made from: Plywood, foam, fabric
Price: $199
One of the biggest dorm essentials has to be storage ottomans, as they're such a space-saving furniture piece. I like this chic one, as it can be used as a footstool, seat, and side table, as well as having plenty of capacity for all your items. It's also Greenguard Gold Certified to contribute to healthier indoor air.
Size (in.): H36.5-39.5 x W25.5 x D25
Made from: Polyester, steel
Price: $499
Even if your dorm already comes with a desk and a plastic chair, trust me — for late night study sessions, you're going to need something comfier. The dusty pink shade is totally dreamy in my opinion, but the cream and gray options are also lovely too if you're going for a more minimalist look.
Size (in.): H48 x W17.5 x D0.75
Made from: Mirror glass and MDF
Price: $199
When I was in college, one of the surprising dorm essentials I ended up finding out I needed was an over-the-door mirror. This genius tool makes it easy to see your full outfit, but won't take up loads of space in your dorm room. I recommend hanging some string lights around it to create an ambiance when getting ready.
Size (in.): H18.25 x D10
Made from: Ceramic, iron, linen
Price: $229
Bring all the stylish Bridgerton design vibes into your dorm with this gorgeous lamp that'll add eye-catching flair to your room. You could either use this as bedside lighting or as desk lighting, depending on what works for you best. It's also grown-up enough to come with you to your first apartment post-college.
Even if you don't go for these picks, each pick represents a useful buy that's worth having on your dorm room checklist. If you are carrying on dorm shopping though, I recommend looking at Amazon dorm essentials, as they're a little more budget-friendly.