This is part two of College Fashion’s “College Dorm Room Shopping” series. For the first part of the series, I focused on Dorm Room Bedding. Today I’m going to focus on Dorm Room Furnishings.

Furnishing a dorm room is easy because most of what you need will come with your room (desk, closet, bed, dresser). At the same time, it can also be tricky because you will be working with a very small space. 

1. Talk to your roommate. You will save yourself a lot of time and money if you talk to your roommate about who’s bringing what for your room. You don’t want to get to school on move in day with two of everything. Trust me, there won’t be room for it all.
2. Check your college’s website. They will list what is going to come with your room as well as any items that are off-limits, so you will have a good picture of what’s missing and what you need to buy.
3. Invest in storage bins. You won’t realize how much stuff you have until you try and pack it up. Buy some good quality plastic storage bins and moving will be easier – plus, you’ll have a place to put everything!
4. Don’t get heavy furniture. It may seem obvious, but truly: the lighter the better. Don’t bring a huge hand-me-down wooden dresser that takes 3 people to lift. It’s much more of a hassle than you’re going to want to deal with.
5. Get lamps. Dorm rooms usually come equipped with one big fluorescent light that is supposed to provide lighting for the entire room. First of all, it’s usually not bright enough. Also, when your roommate wants to sleep but you have a paper to write, you’ll be happy to have a small desk lamp on your side of the room.
6. Buy a rug. There’s nothing cozy or homey about linoleum floors! I recommend investing in a good quality, durable rug for your floor to make your room more livable.

Cute Dorm Room Furnishings

Now that you know what to look for, here are some of my picks for some great dorm room furnishings you should consider.

This Insanely Aesthetic Minimal Nightstand

Chances are, your dorm will need a little nightstand. This simple little round one is made for unusual or tricky-to-furnish spaces. Plus, it’s super hip and will add some much-needed life to a basic space.

The Cozy Foldable Chair of Your Dreams

If you’ve got room for a chair, this well-designed, collapsable chair will do the trick. Trust me, you’re going to get very tired of sitting on your uncomfortable bed, so having a cozy alternative is great. 

This cute little bed shelf attaches directly to your bed to give you extra space for your laptop, phone and beverage of choice. Since so many college students end up working from bed, this little Amazon find is an absolute must-have. Even better, it doesn’t require any tools to install!

A Chic (& Affordable) Desk Lamp

You’re going to need to buy some secondary lighting for your dorm, so why not make sure it adds style to your room? This pretty gold task lamp is everything you could ever want and it will even charge your devices.

This neutral knitted ottoman pouf is the perfect accent piece of seating for your dorm as you can move it around wherever you need it. Plus, it looks so cozy and will really make your dorm feel like home.

A Neutral Nightstand with Storage

Utilizing your space in the most efficient way possible is so incredibly important in a dorm. This white nightstand has character and charm… and an abundance of storage!

A Statement Rug

This busy, detailed rug is exactly what any dorm room needs; it’s colorful, funky, fun, and won’t show stains from spilled beverages and food!

OR, a White Rug That Actually Stays Clean

Alternatively, if your aesthetic dictates a white or cream colored rug, you absolutely need to get this one from Ruggable.

You can take off the top part of the rug and toss the entire thing in the washing machine so it’s a cinch to keep clean. Yes, you pay a bit more for this feature but it’s 100% worth it if you want a white rug that will stay clean through college.

Quality Storage Bins

Invest in quality storage bins. They may not be the most exciting things you’ll buy for your dorm adventure, but they will probably end up being your most cherished items. An organized life is a happy life.

An Aesthetic Over-the-Door Hanger

Get creative with your space! Who knew using a door could be such a fantastic place to hang scarves, jackets, purses, and bags? An over-the-door hanger is a necessity.

A Storage Ottoman for Seating & Containing Clutter

This multi-purpose ottoman can act as shoe storage, a mini coffee table, and seating for your friends when they come visit. Basically, it’s perfect in every way.

The Cutest Mini Plant Shelf in the World

This simple shelf will add a little flair to your space. Think of all the cute things you can put on it! Why not get two? Or three? 

A Trash Can That’s Actually Cute

When you’re working with a small space, you won’t want a big trash can taking up valuable real estate. This colorful little gem from Amazon will do the trick and it’s covered so you don’t have to see the trash inside.

Check out the rest of the posts in the College Dorm Room Shopping series to get everything you need for a fabulous dorm:

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in 2007; it was completely updated and revamped in 2022 with new photos, products, and information.