12 Affordable Essentials for Creating a Seriously Stylish Dorm, According to a Recent Grad

There’s a good chance that your dorm won’t have nearly enough storage, which is where items like this storage cart come in handy. With three deep drawers, it can hold extra office supplies by your desk or snacks by your mini fridge. It can even serve as a nightstand!

The storage ottoman I bought during my freshman year stayed with me all through college. It’s the ideal solution for extra seating, and you can store anything from socks to extra blankets inside of its base. And this one looks like a little mushroom! So cute.

This monitor riser will elevate your homework station in more ways than one. The gold coloring looks totally luxe, and the drawer underneath will keep the space orderly. Your neck will thank you!

Before college, I was used to doing my makeup in my bathroom, but when I started sharing one with my five other suitemates, that was off of the table. This compact vanity solves that problem, while also allowing you to keep your desk for homework separate.

This hamper will easily roll between your bedroom and the laundry room, but you can also remove the lower basket if you want to clean your clothes in small batches. You can keep your clothes separated by color or material thanks to the individual baskets.

Most dorm rooms don’t come with nightstands, but you can solve that problem by snagging this adorable and affordable option from Better Homes & Gardens. The drawer and open shelf provide plenty of storage, and the rattan detailing is the perfect finishing touch.

Functional items are important, but so are the fun decor pieces you find to spruce up the place. This disco mushroom figurine will add some sparkle to your desk or shelves without taking up a ton of space.

A full-length mirror is undoubtedly a must-have, and this one doesn’t waste any valuable floor space, coming with brackets for hanging on the back of your door. Plus, it’ll make your dorm room seem bigger, which never hurts.

Dorm beds are notoriously uncomfortable (sorry to break it to you), which is why you have to zhuzh them up with top-notch bedding. The right bedding will transform the shabby mattress into a cozy oasis — such as this lightweight, soft quilt. The butterfly texture on top gives it a unique appearance.

A coffee machine is a lifesaver for 8 a.m. lectures and after you’ve pulled an all-nighter studying. This one will give you iced or hot coffee, requiring hardly any effort on your part, and the compact size is ideal for small spaces.

Even if you have a meal plan, a microwave is a necessity. You can use it for leftovers, snacks like popcorn, and frozen dinners when the dining hall isn’t cutting it. This option from Drew Barrymore’s Beautiful line is drop dead gorgeous and on the budget-friendly side.

Speaking of appliances, this mini fridge has a cool retro look and a minimal footprint, so you can keep it at your bedside. It’s perfect for soda cans or small food packages. You can even plug it into your car and take it on the go!