Heading to college can be both exciting and stressful, but decorating your dorm room shouldn't be. With the right essentials and a little inspiration, even the most boring rooms can be turned into relaxing spaces for studying, hanging out with your friends, or just de-stressing by yourself. Embrace small-space living and think of your dorm room as a way to enjoy adulthood by making all your own decorating decisions, from just how many pillows are enough for your bed to creative ways to organize all your stuff. Here are 18 products that will help turn your dorm room into a sanctuary from the hectic world of college life. Just don't blame us if you get so comfy that you'll barely want to leave once the school year is over!
What's better than sleeping in a soft, comfy t-shirt? Sleeping in an entire bed of soft, comfy t-shirts. This heathered cotton T-Shirt Jersey Duvet Cover ($99-$149) will feel like a big hug but may make it harder to get out of bed for those morning classes.
Leave yourself (or your roommate) motivational quotes or reminders with an Abell Felt Letter Board ($20), analog style.
An area rug is an easy way to elevate the look of your room and cover up any dirty spots on the floor. The Novogratz Lulu Collection Abacus Area Rug ($133-$399) has a fun pattern and pop of color to let your personality shine through.
Add a little extra snuggle to your bed with an adorable Fuzzy Alpaca Throw Pillow ($49). It's almost as good as having a real pet around.
Charge your phone without worrying about tangled or frayed cords. The Anker PowerWave 10 Dual Pad ($60) can simultaneously power up two devices, even with cases on.
Combat those harsh fluorescent dorm lights with something a little softer — this Light Society Fulton Brushed Copper Table Lamp ($32) will add some style and light to your desk, especially during late-night cram sessions.
The Mellanni 1800 Brushed Microfiber Sheet Set ($30) — which has over 58,0000 reviews on Amazon and comes in a variety of colors — will make your bed super soft and irresistible. And at that price point, you can grab an extra set and put off doing laundry for a little while longer.
Block out the extra light (and bad vibes) for your next afternoon or between-class nap with this fun Getaway Eye Mask ($18).
Surround yourself with happy memories of your family and hometown BFFs with a Metal Photo Clips String Set ($14), which can also double as easy wall decor.
Doing your laundry is officially unavoidable now. Put all your dirty clothes in this lightweight Aobor Cotton Fabric Folding Laundry Storage Basket ($13) and you won't even mind looking at it. It also has handles and a drawstring closure to make carrying it to the laundry room a little easier.
A full-length mirror will help make sure your outfits look put together and your small dorm room look bigger. The Leni Leaning Mirror ($149) also has hooks and bars to hang your favorite accessories.
Make your furniture work harder for you — the Seville Classics Foldable Storage Footrest ($20, originally $26) can provide extra seating in a pinch and keep all your miscellaneous items off the floor and out of sight.
No one likes a messy desk. Make sure yours is clean and organized with these Simmer Stone Rose Gold Office Supplies ($27), which include a file holder, letter sorter, pen holder, and letter tray.
These SimpleHouseware Foldable Cube Storage Bins ($17) can neatly organize your books, gadgets, and clothes, and they fold up compactly when not in use. Goodbye, clutter; hello, calmness.
If you want to have indoor plants but are a little green-thumb-challenged, look no further than a set of The Air Plant Shop Air Plants ($14). These low-maintenance plants don't require soil, need a soak just once a week, and provide instant greenery to your room.
This Treasure & Bond Jersey Rope Chunky Knit Throw Blanket ($99) will keep you warm on cold mornings or cozy during a reality TV marathon.
The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 ($100) is a Bluetooth speaker that packs a punch and will set the mood whether you need to chill out with some mellow music or get pumped for a night out. It's also waterproof, dust-proof, drop-proof, and the perfect size for on-the-go jamming.
Give your dorm room that spa-like ambience with the relaxing scent of essential oils. The Urpower Essential Oil Diffuser ($20) has changing LED lights and an auto-shut-off feature, and it's less of a potential fire hazard than a burning candle.