I’ve become a bit of a pro at picking out dorm room essentials, which means separating the must-haves from the nice-to-haves from the not-going-to-haves. Especially if I’m paying for it.

For that reason, often the most critical dorm room essentials aren’t just cute room decor and twinkle lights, but practical necessities that make sharing a tiny space organized and livable.

When your dorm room feels like home, it makes a huge difference in helping you settle into college. We evaluated the best bedding, appliances, and other essentials to ease the transition from ...

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Plush but low linting, they can last for all four years of college. A mini toolkit makes assembling dorm room essentials hassle-free. It's also a good idea to have a basic set for things that ...

With Insider Picks' definitive Buying Guides for everything from sheets, electric fans, Bluetooth speakers, and dorm room essentials, there's also really no reason to subject yourself to such tedium.