If you’re a senior getting ready to go off to college, you are likely searching for things to invest in so you can achieve the dorm room of your dreams.
On your first day of college, you will want to create a space that represents you. It’s your turn to plan out what your (temporary) home will look like. But you can’t just start without learning what you need to buy and what to expect.
“What’s actually worth the investment?” asked Skyline student Maddie Clarke (‘26). “Because I feel like, on the dorm packing list, I see people will be like, oh, get a mini fridge, get a coffee machine, we should get a microwave. And it’s like, what actually am I gonna use? What’s worth it, or, what can I use again later?”
“I didn’t do any crazy decorations,” says University of Michigan student Jessica Smith. “I brought a couple of trinkets to put on my shelf, and that’s pretty much it… I printed out a ton of pictures to hang up, and so I just brought those with me to my dorm and put them on the walls.”
There are many useful items that are worth the investment that will help your college dorm experience. For example, the inch foam mattress topper is used to make a bed more comfortable and is somewhat affordable. You can get mattress toppers at Home Depot, Target, and more.
Another really good item is sturdy bed risers which are used to maximize space. Quality bed risers allow you to elevate the bed, creating significant storage space underneath for trunks, drawers, and maybe even a mini fridge.
You can also make a wish list. They can be helpful so you can browse for items you’re interested in and go through and decide what you actually want to get.
“So sometimes people create registries with all the things they want for their dorm room, and then [when] people want to give them graduation presents, they can sign up for a registry,” says UM professor Deborah Ball.
A registry or list for family and friends helps loved ones know what to get you: things like kitchen appliances, room decor, bedding, and much more. This is really helpful for incoming college students so they already have some furniture and items to start decorating their dorm with.
Decorating your dorm is all about the vibe you want and the things you’re willing to buy. Things like photo walls, posters, lights, and furniture are many ways to achieve the vibe you feel is best for your dorm. There are many themes, including rustic, modern, cozy, and so much more.
Comfort is another big part of decorating your dorm, so the little things are worth it, like laundry bags, fans, cozy blankets, and candles.
Many people say that mini fridges are worth the cost and are really useful, along with drawers attached to the foot of your bed to open up more space. “You also want to bring a mini fridge, a microwave, and definitely a trash can,” says Smith.
There are many good store options and if you live in Ann Arbor: Amazon and Kohls and other little unique shops. Seniors looking for where to purchase can find many things locally or have items shipped to their dorm room with services like Amazon.
