dorm therapy

The Best Dorm Bedding for Making Your Space Feel More Like You

Melissa Epifano
Melissa Epifano
Melissa is a freelance writer who covers home decor, beauty, and fashion. She’s written for MyDomaine, The Spruce, Byrdie, and The Zoe Report. Originally from Oregon, she's currently living in the UK.
Sarah M. Vazquez
Sarah M. VazquezCommerce SEO Editor
For the past 8 years, I've covered all things shopping. My work's been published by Hearst, PureWow, and Bauer Media Group. I'm a Brooklyn-born Jersey Girl (with a BA in English from Montclair State University) who loves a good playlist, a good bagel, and my family (but not necessarily in that order).
updated Aug 21, 2025
Apartment Therapy received compensation for this post, which was written and edited independently by our editorial team.
Cozy bedroom with star-patterned bedding, colorful pillows, abstract wall art, and a dreamcatcher.
Credit: Cathy Pyle

If dorms are known for one thing, it’s their less-than-ideal size. Having to share a divided room with several other people is never easy, but there are still ways to make a space your own, no matter how small it may be. The most important part of furnishing it is having comfortable bedding that makes your space feel cozy. Ultimately, you want to turn your dorm into a place you’ll always feel good about going home to. Below, you’ll find 10 bedding items to help you set up your ideal space for everything from snoozing to snacking.

Looking for more dorm design ideas and inspiration? Check out Apartment Therapy’s new site, Dorm Therapy, which features personal recommendations and reflections from a team of student contributors.

FluffCo. Down Alternative Pillow
$115$69

Good sleep start's with the right pillow and the FluffCo. Down Alternative Pillow is our favorite. Fluff Co.‘s pillows are inspired by those luxe hotel pillows we all covet, with the goal of getting a high-end pillow into everyone’s hands at a fraction of the price. This pillow topped our Best List as a great pick for all sleepers, making it a pick sure to last you all four years.

$69 at Fluff Co.
From our partner
Virtu Bed Sheet Set, Twin XL
$29

Available in 10 colors, this lightweight and breathable bamboo sheet set is a great pick for hot sleepers. They fit mattresses up to 16 inches deep and are availalble in six sizes, including Twin and Twin XL.

$29 at Walmart
Lavender Memory Foam Mattress Topper
$70$59

Having a foam topper can make a world of a difference in how well you sleep on a dorm mattress. If you suffer from insomnia or are often under a lot of stress, this special topper is infused with lavender to calm you down when you curl up.

$59 at Amazon
From our partner
Poppy Pink
$249$125

Dorm Therapy Contributor Kaitlyn says that the viral Lola blanket took her dorm bed "to the next level." With double-sided faux fur, it's unbelievably soft and warm, and you'll want one in every colorway. Best of all, it's on sale for 50% off right now and even comes with a $50 gift card.

$125 at Lola Blankets
Bedsure Duvet Cover, Twin/Twin XL
$40$22

Prefer the look of a solid duvet cover? This super soft Bedsure find comes in 14 chic hues and features an easy-to-close zipper closure (alongside corner ties) for quick bed making.

$22 at Amazon
"The Regulator" Sheets, Twin XL
$149

With many dorms lacking air conditioners, cooling bedding is a must — like these cooling sheets made from sustainably grown bamboo. Bamboo is an increasingly popular eco-friendly bedding material, as it requires significantly less water and energy to produce than cotton and feels even softer and fresher. If you’re looking to splurge on high-end sheets guaranteed to help you sleep cool, these sheets are the way to go. And yes, they come in multiple colorways.

$149 at My Sheets Rock
SUPERIOR Oversized All-Season Reversible Down Alternative Comforter, Twin/Twin XL
$44

What's a duvet cover without an equally as impressive insert? This SUPERIOR find is both an Amazon and editor-favorite, with Commerce SEO editor Sarah sharing, "This duvet has been my go-to since college and is the one I always recommend to friends and family. It's super plushy, lightweight, and perfect for year-round use (and did I mention affordable?). I can't tell you how many times I've gifted this duvet!"

$44 at Amazon
Mainstays Faux Fur Plush Backrest Pillow
$16

For the times you can’t be bothered to study from your desk, a super soft and fluffy reading pillow will come in handy for propping you up on your bed. This one comes in four different colors, so you’ll certainly be able to find one that fits your style.

$16 at Walmart
Elegant Comfort 3-Piece Smart Sheet Set, Twin
$27$24

Sheets with a cell phone pocket are a must-have for college. Whether you use your phone as an alarm or are fond of scrolling through social first thing in the morning, this sheet set allows you to both charge your cell and keep it close by.

$24 at Amazon
Modern Threads Down Alternative Microfiber Quilted Reversible Comforter
$27$25

Bedding that gives you two styles in one means you don’t have to find a place to store another comforter until you’re ready to switch out styles. Space is tight in dormitories, so a comforter that can pull double decor duty is clutch.

$25 at Amazon
Tufted Dot Duvet Cover & Sham
$132

It can be difficult finding small-space-friendly decor items to spice up your room, but a duvet cover with pom poms is the perfect solution. It can provide a much-needed hit of texture to perk up a dull dorm and doesn’t take up any extra space in doing so.

$132 at PB Teen

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