From XL sheets to tech items: Your guide to college dorm

Dorms usually have twin beds and require size twin XL sheets and comforters. This Loretta Coral Bed-in-a-Bag set is available on Amazon.com. (Courtesy of Amazon.com)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Going off to college is an exciting time, and parents will want to help students stock up on the necessities they’ll need to make the most of their new living environment.

Dorms, whether singles, doubles, triples or quads, are quite cold and bare upon arrival. But with the right items, they can become warm, cozy sanctuaries for students away from home for the first time. The trick is to know what to buy.

From small kitchen and bath items to organization tools and cozy bedding, the right stuff makes all the difference, and now is a great time to shop, as most dorm essentials are on sale, many reduced in price by more than 50%!

MATTRESS COMFORT

The first thing you’ll want to do when you arrive with your student is to make the bed. It’ll immediately warm up the room and free the floor of clutter. For this, they’ll need a cozy comforter, sheets and pillowcases. College dorm beds are usually fit with size twin XL mattresses, and their comfort usually leaves a lot to be desired. That’s easily fixed with a mattress pad, or pillowtop cover. A bit of support and comfort ca be added with a memory foam or gel mattress topper, transforming a dorm mattress into the bed you’d find in a five-star luxury hotel. (OK, maybe not exactly.)

REVERSIBLE COMFORTERS

You’ll want to get an easy-care, reversible comforter set for you student. This is no time to look for high-maintenance luxury. Just be sure of a quality brand, and reversible will come in handy should your college student want to freshen the room with a change of pattern (or coordinate better with a roommate). A complete bed-in-a-bag is a good choice. Many sets even include pillow shams and bed skirts. And some now are as low as 59% off original price, and are available in a variety of patterns.

PILLOWS

Your college student will need a few bed pillows. Of coures, they’ll come in handy for sleeping, but they’ll also use them to prop themselves up while studying or socializing with visitors, so be sure they have a few bed-sized and even a few throw pillows. (Girls tend to want more of these.)

RUGS

Another décor essential is an area rug. Adding softness to the room, it’ll make it homier and also warmer in winter months. Most dorm rooms accommodate a 6-foot-by-9-foot area rug, and you can find them in a variety of colors and patterns at reasonable prices.

Laevis 100% Cotton Luxury Bath Towels are available on Amazon.com.

BATH

Showering down the hall in a communal bathroom might not be your idea of luxury, but your student will adjust to it fairly quickly. Of course, they’ll need the essentials to get the job done while away from home. An affordable set of four towels, in a generous size, will fill the bill here. You’ll find them easy available in dozens of colors and patterns in absorbant 100% cotton.

A portable shower caddy or shaving kit, to hold bathroom and shower essentials, is a must-have. The shaving kit or toiletry bag also makes it easy for guys to pack up quickly for a weekend trip home. And shower shoes or flip flops are a must for using communal dorm showers, as well. Think: athlete’s foot’s not fun.

CLIMATE CONTROL

If the dorm has no air conditioning, (and most don’t) a portable fan is a must-have. Let your student choose between a desk or nightstand model, or the kind that stands independently or sits in the window.

Another option is a freestanding air conditioning unit. A bit pricier than a fan, it’ll cool the air down quickly and might be better for those with seasonal allergies.

Semfri's Waterproof Freestanding Laundry Hamper is collapsible. It's available at Walmart.com. (Courtesy of Semfri/Walmart.com)

LAUNDRY

Your student will need a way to transport laundry. Baskets and bags work well for this, and some often want both: One for storing and carrying soiled laundry, and another for the clean stuff.

Clothing hangers and storage will be a big help, too, as will be a drying rack for laundry.

A laptop is essential these days at college, as are noise-canceling headphones for studying in a loud environment (like a bustling dorm or school cafeteria).

When relaxing, students might enjoy having a Bluetooth speaker. Be sure to stock up on the correct batteries. Usually AA or AAA are required.

Other great ideas for the dorm include a lap desk, for using laptop while sitting on the bed, a desk lamp, and surge protector power strips. Some schools allow microwave ovens and mini-refrigerators for those late-night (or early morning) snacks and study breaks.

Students should have at least one set of silverware, in case they order in, a coffee mug, plastic glassware, reusable water bottle, filtered water pitcher and maybe a to-go coffee mug.

Don’t forget to stock up on toiletry items, including shampoo, toothpaste, mouthwash, shaving essentials, hairbrush, comb, makeup and other beauty supplies.

A first aid kit is an essential not to be overlooked.

For housekeeping, a small vacuum will come in handy, as will a broom and dustpan. Laundry detergent is a must, and dryer sheets might be a nice touch.

School supplies, of course, should make their way onto your list. Important items to remember include notebooks, a planner, folders, index cards, highlighters, rubber bands, a stapler and or paper clips and pens and pencils. Professors may make more suggestions to students once classes begin.

And, remember, even if you forget something, these days it’s easy to order online at Amazon.com or Walmart.com, and have it shipped right to them, often overnight. Or, a last-minute purchase might give you an excuse for an unplanned visit!

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