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At the start of every fall semester, college students nationwide move into their on-campus dorms and bring all their essentials — but especially for new freshmen, there’s often a moment of panic when you realize your college packing list might not have covered everything (who knew that all of your clothes from high school wouldn’t fit in your tiny wardrobe closet no matter how much you try to stuff them in there?). Lucky for you, Amazon’s October Prime Day is here with its Early Access Sale on Oct. 11 and 12, and it’s the perfect time to stock up on anything you might’ve left off your packing list.
Whether you spent a little too much time on planning the aesthetic of your room with your roommate and forgot a few practical items, or you want a few things that are going to make your nights in a little cozier, look no further — here are 15 October Prime Day dorm essentials that will make your room feel a little more like home.
- Closet organizers
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12-Pack Sturdy Closet Organizer Hangers, $13
Dorm closets rarely have as much space as we want them to. And while there are tons of storage hacks out there, few will be as friendly to your hanging clothes as these vertical hanging organizers, which can hold up to 30 pounds and will be a lifesaver for keeping your closet tidy.
- String lights
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Photo Clip String Lights with Remote, $9
String lights are a classic when it comes to dorm decor — they’ll make your cinderblock of a room feel just a little bit warmer and cozier. These not only have eight lighting modes depending on how flashy you want them to get, but they also come with photo clips that are perfect for hanging up any pictures with friends and family (or K-pop photocards, I don’t judge) you may want to have on display. How cute is that?
- Mattress topper
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AwsumPick Bamboo Charcoal Memory Foam Mattress Topper Twin XL 2 Inch, $64
Dorm mattresses leave a lot to be desired; at best, they’re not lumpy, but wishing for softness is kind of a lost cause. That’s where a memory foam mattress topper comes in — though it’s on the pricier side, it’ll be a good investment for all four years of college, plus this one is eco-friendly.
- Mesh laundry bag
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Dalykate Backpack Laundry Bag, $14
Hampers are a great idea in theory, until you have to carry them down the hall (or God forbid, all the way to the basement) when it’s time to do a load. This laundry bag is the solution — it has shoulder straps like a backpack, making it so much easier to transport your clothes without breaking a sweat.
- Electric hot pot
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No kitchen? No problem. This electric hot pot works without a stove, has a nonstick lining so it’s a breeze to clean, and is small enough to easily store in your room. It’ll also give you a chance to get a little more creative (and nutritious) with your cooking than microwavable instant ramen.
- Area rug
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Ophanie Pink Rug for Bedroom 4 x 5.3 Feet, $27
An area rug is a perfect decor accessory if you want to brighten up your room and cover up the tile floor in your room that is decidedly not very homey. You can choose from a range of colors, like this pretty pink to a more neutral gray, and it’s the perfect size for a teensy dorm room.
- Shower caddy
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Mesh Shower Caddy, $12
You can’t really make college dorm showers feel luxurious, but you can make them easier with a shower caddy that will transport all your toiletries. When it comes to caddies, the more space, the better — this one has eight side pockets so you won’t have to leave anything behind.
- Power strip
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Power Strip Surge Protector, $20
With your laptop and phone likely in use at all times, plus a desk lamp and any other electronics you might be bringing to college, you’ll want more than the one, old outlet on your dorm wall. This power strip has 12 outlets and four USB ports, so you’ll never run out of places to plug something in.
- Collage kit
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PROCIDA Teen Girl Room Aesthetic Collage Kit for Wall, $12
Want to spruce up your walls but not sure how? This collage kit makes it easy by providing all the photos for you. You can arrange them all in one gallery wall, clip them onto your string lights, or spread them out across your room — they’re super customizable to your decorating preference.
- Bedside caddy
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Your school is most likely not providing you with a nightstand in your dorm, but if you’re worried about leaving your phone on your bed at night and waking up to find that it’s dropped down the crack between your bed and the wall, you’ll want to invest in a bedside caddy. This one easily straps onto your bed, and can even fit your laptop if you find yourself doing some late-night studying.
- Desk lamp
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Sailstar LED Desk Lamp with Wireless Charger, $29
If your dorm doesn’t have much natural light or even overhead lighting, you’ll want a desk lamp that’ll make sure you don’t strain your eyes during any study sessions. This one has three color modes, so you can choose between warm light, daylight, and excellent light. It also comes with a built-in wireless charger.
- Vacuum cleaner
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Corded Stick Vacuum, $41
Sometimes your dorm will have a communal vacuum cleaner handy, but if not, you’ll definitely want to have one of your own. Think of all those snacks you might be eating in your dorm… and all the mice that might come out to play. This one is lightweight and small, so you can store it easily, but it’ll still get the job done with its strong suction.
- Dinnerware set
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FOODLE Wheat Straw Dinnerware Sets (28pc), $30
If you and your roommates are lucky enough to have a kitchen, you’ll want dishware for each of you. This set is unbreakable, microwave safe, and dishwasher safe, making it almost invincible, plus its cute pastel colors can brighten up your drab dorm kitchen.
- Makeup mirror
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WEILY Makeup Mirror with 21 LED Lights, $20
Picture this: You’re getting ready to go out on a Friday night with your besties and the lighting in your room — and the bathroom — is terrible. If this sounds like a common occurrence for you, you’ll want a makeup mirror that has LED lights like this one. The lights can be dimmed or brightened, the tri-fold mirror will let you see all angles, and the base has a bit of storage for any stray jewelry or cosmetics you want to keep handy.
- Essential oil diffuser
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InnoGear Essential Oil Diffuser, $16
If you’re looking to create a more soothing atmosphere in your room, this essential oil diffuser will do the trick.
