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6 IKEA Must-Haves for “No-Room” College Bedrooms

Courtney BalestierSenior Writer, Creative Studio
Courtney BalestierSenior Writer, Creative Studio
Courtney Balestier is the Apartment Therapy Creative Studio Senior Writer. She holds a master's degree in magazine journalism from NYU and lives in Pittsburgh, where you'll find her doing DIY projects in her new house with her dog and cat (who are not being very helpful).
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Clear storage bins filled with folded clothes under a bed, with a white step stool and a patterned rug nearby.
Credit: IKEA

There are small spaces, and then there are dorm rooms. Even if your college digs might seem about as spacious as an economy plane seat, some smart styling can make the most of your square footage — and express your aesthetic.

When it comes to multitasking furniture for small spaces, IKEA is the reigning champ. The Swedish superstore has chic furniture and stylish essentials that can make every precious inch of your dorm work harder. Even the decor has space-saving tricks up its sleeve! Here are six IKEA finds to make your college bedroom feel a little bigger (and way more like home).

From Studying to Socializing

Put out snacks, and you’ve got a party. The new IKEA PS 2026 side table functions as a laptop stand, bed tray, or side table for entertaining — and it folds up to almost nothing when not in use. That kind of multitasking is key in tight quarters: The KULGLASS Bluetooth speaker lamp is multifunctional, with atmospheric lighting and a pleasing organic shape that adds warmth and style to your space.

Organized, but Make It Cute

Small spaces stay tidier when everything has its place — and when you can move those things around as needed. The slim design of the KRLYBO swivel chair makes it ideal for your desk, but it can also roll and swivel anywhere when you need extra seating. Soft yet sturdy SKUBB storage boxes nestle into your drawer in tons of configurations, organizing clothing and jewelry (and preventing chaos). Speaking of drawers, the stout STORKLINTA 3-drawer dresser has deceptively spacious drawers, despite being short enough to tuck away in your closet. And a laundry bag keeps dirty clothes off the floor while adding a fun pop of color to wash day. Bonus: It only takes up the footprint of what’s inside.