PHOTO COURTESY SHUTTERSTOCK

Heading off to a college dorm for the first time is hard. You’re about to leave the comforts of home, which includes the care of your parents, and prepare yourself to live with strangers in a space that doesn’t include a kitchen, a regulation-size bed or even a private bathroom. 

Still, there are ways to make your dorm space feel more like home. From essentials such as a mini-refrigerator and coffee maker (you will want this in college — trust me) to fun aesthetics such as a cozy area rug and ambient fairy lights, these are the items your college students will want (and need) as they make their first home away from home. 

The Essentials 

The Microwave

Beautiful Sensor Microwave Oven

The aesthetically pleasing microwave comes with a celebrity endorsement. The aptly named Beautiful 1000-Watt Sensor Microwave Oven in White Icing by Drew Barrymore has a minimalist design and a matte gold handle that will add a touch of class to any dorm room. Thoughtfully designed with a touch-activated display, and equipped with 15 convenient pre-set functions, this countertop microwave (available at Wal-Mart) makes mealtime easy — just make sure that your school allows microwaves in dorms first.

Price: $129

The Mattress Topper

Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper

The Twin XL mattresses that often come with dorm rooms are not known for being comfortable, which makes investing in a quality mattress topper a wise choice. With a 3-inch layer of memory foam infused with cooling graphite, Saatva’s eco-friendly Graphite memory foam mattress topper is the ultimate in comfort. Whether it’s for a bunk or a single bed, the topper also is sure to stay put, no matter how much shifting you do, thanks to four elastic anchor bands that ensure a secure fit on the mattress.

Price: $325

The Mini Refrigerator

Frigidaire Compact Fridge

Available at Wal-Mart, Frigidaire’s 3.2 Cubic Foot Retro Dry Erase Compact Fridge is large on space and style. Featuring two adjustable, slideout glass shelves, a door basket with beverage holders and an ice-cube tray, the compact fridge has a reversible door that opens left or right, giving you more options for placement. Also, it’s really cute. Beside the retro stainless steel handle, the front of the fridge is actually a dry erase board, so you can jot down notes, reminders and, of course, a shopping list on it.

Price: $142.14 

The Cooling Tower

Dreo Tower Fan

Air conditioning, especially if you’re residing in an older building, is not guaranteed in a dorm. If that’s the case, one of your best bets for cooling off is the highly rated Dreo Tower Fan. The sleek, 36-inch tower has a quiet electric motor that delivers cool, high-speed winds that fan out up to 29 feet in distance. Easy-to-clean and bladeless, the fan also has four wind speeds, plus a convenient remote control. 

Price: $69.99

The Space Saver

ULG Over Door Organizer

Dorms, and their closets, are notoriously cramped. Find room for your stuff, and keep it organized, with the ULG Over Door Organizer. Made from durable, non-woven fabric, the organizer has five spacious pockets and two mesh side pockets that you can use to store everything from cosmetics and toiletries to cleaning supplies.

Price: $35.99

The Coffee Maker

K-Express Essentials Single Serve Coffee Maker

Welcome to the adult world — you’re tired all the time now and you need caffeine to get you through the day. Start your day off right with Keurig’s K-Express Essentials Single Serve Coffee Maker. The compact coffee maker, which offers three serving sizes, comes in a variety of colors (I like the bold teal) and makes one easy, mess-free cup of joe. 

Price: $49

The Aesthetics

The Area Rug

Bettie Retro Checkered Shag Rug 

Warm up your dorm room floor, and add a punch of color, with Rugs USA’s retro shag rug in a fun checked print. Dense and durability, the area rug, which comes in a variety of sizes, is built to withstand high traffic areas. Besides a cozy place to sit, the plush surface also will add a more inviting vibe to a sterile dorm room.

Price: $131.95 for a 5-by-7-foot rug

The Floor Pillow

Ruthie Velvet Floor Pillow 

Covered in bold, jewel-toned velvet, these luxe floor pillows, available at Urban Outfitters, are chic enough to double as on-the-floor seating and decor. Stack a few together to create the perfect reading nook.

Price: $49

The Comforter

Retro Daisy Floral Comforter

Add some flower power to your space with Society6’s daisy floral comforter. The lightweight bedding in a warm golden color comes in the standard dorm bed size of Twin XL — and the fun daisy print will have your space blooming.

Price: $105.75 for a Twin XL

The Lighting

LECLSTAR 100 LED String Lights

Fairy lights are an easy, and cheap way, to lend your dorm room some cozy ambiance. Totaling 33 feet in length, LECLSTAR’s 100 LED String Lights also come with transparent clips that you can use for hanging photos or other small items. 

Price: $14.88

The Mirror

Otlsh Wavy Floor Mirror

Everyone needs a full-length mirror to check out their outfits, and this one also happens to be exceptionally cute. The arched Otlsh Wavy Floor Mirror, which comes in a variety of colors, will add some mod style to your dorm, while the light reflecting from the mirrored surface will help make the space appear bigger. The versatile mirror can be hung on the wall or freestanding.

Price: $79.99