We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A Himalayan salt lamp with a wood base and dimmer switch to give your dorm some positive energy. It'll make a great night light and add to the overall ~aesthetic~ of your room.
Promising review: "This lamp is prefect. Great light, plus it’s really pretty and easily fits any decor theme. With the dimmer we can dim it to barely on and it provides enough light to see in the middle of the night and it’s soft and dim enough that it isn’t noticed by our new baby when he’s up for feeding. It lets me see what I’m doing while keeping it dark enough for him. When we get up for the day early in the morning we turn it up and it brightens the whole room with a soft warm light and we don’t need to turn on our bedroom light to see." —Mikaela
Get it from Amazon for $19.97.
2. A fluffy faux fur rug that'll give your chair or the floor by your bed a quick and fabulous makeover. Alexa, play "Glamorous" by Fergie.
Promising review: "I bought this to cover up the ugly desk chair that came with my dorm. I love it! It's really soft and luxurious, plus it doesn't shed. When you first get it, there are some creases from how it was packaged, but you just have to fluff it up and they go away." —Kelsie Thomas
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in six colors).
3. A roll of glossy marble contact paper to transform your desk, bookshelf, or DIY almost any hard surface that needs an upgrade. It'll automatically make your space look more chic and expensive.
Promising review: "I do not have the money for a new vanity right now. Insert DIY project of covering my ugly pink bathroom vanity in marble contact paper. It looks 100% better and it’s super durable. It’s a little tricky to work with at first and then you get the hang of it. I’m buying more for my half bath! Update: my vanity still looks great a couple months later! I decided to do my tabletop in my laundry room and it looks great, too!" —Natalie Evans
Get it from Amazon for $5.99+ (available in four sizes).
Read our marble contact paper deep dive to learn more about why people love it so much!
4. A very fashionable Oliver Gal canvas print for you to hang on your wall and feel like you're having breakfast at Tiffany's (instead of whatever's in the dining hall) every morning.
This is one of my favorite pieces of decor in my room! It's so unique and perfect for anyone who loves fashion. It definitely adds some glam to my space and my friends always compliment it when they come over.
Oliver Gal is a woman-owned business founded by sister artists Lola Sánchez and Ana Gal. Inspired by the Miami art scene, their products feature a lot of fashion, pop culture, and travel. They also offer really cute custom pet portraits.
Get it from Amazon for $82.99+ (available in canvas or framed print and six sizes) or Oliver Gal for $90+ (available in three styles, four frame colors, and six sizes).
5. A complimentary doormat that'll no doubt make you smile every time you walk in the door. "Why thank you, doormat, I DO look good today."
Promising review: "Super cute and so happy I found this! Makes all of my visitors and myself feel good every time we go to my front door." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Novogratz on Amazon for $31.99.
6. An adorable magnetic cloud-shaped key holder to ensure you don't lose your keys anymore. Just put this by the door and you'll look forward to sticking your keys to it when you walk in.
Promising review: "One of the most useful purchases I've ever made on Amazon. I use it every single day to hang my keys. I've had it for at least half a year now it seems. Hasn't lost any magnetism and it holds my car keys, remote start, USB, rewards/gift cards, house and work keys, etc. In love. One of the best purchases I've made." —Makenah
Get it from Amazon for $7.98.
7. A pack of two velvet throw pillow covers with a pom-pom trim that are luxe, stylish, and available in tons of great colors to accent your bed or chair.
Promising review: "These pillow cases are so soft and cozy! The color is true to the picture, a nice deep red, and the material itself is cozy and velvety. The little pom-poms are actually very much secured to the pillow, and I've never experienced any of them coming loose, and I am using them daily. The zippers are very well hidden without being difficult to use, too." —Al
Get a set of two from Amazon for $12.79+ (available in seven sizes and 23 colors).
8. A trendy wire storage table and ottoman that allows you to store a few items inside — like blankets or notebooks — and still have a functional piece of furniture for propping up your feet or setting your drink on.
Promising review: "This little ottoman is so cute and multifunctional! It can hold a few blankets and acts as a little end table for drinks or as a footrest. The wood part is also sealed, so it won’t stain if you leave a drink on it. We also use the tabletop to play cards on the couch while we watch a movie. Such a great purchase!!" —Steph
Get it from Target for $40.
9. A collapsible floral file holder for a nice way to store that messy stack of graded assignments, notes, and folders.
Bloom Planners is a woman-owned small Etsy shop based in Newark, Delaware.
Promising review: "Pretty, sturdy, and well-made, these are great for my office and organizing my daughter’s music books." —Emily Glenn
Get it from Bloom Planners on Etsy for $12.95.
10. A gold tray with a mirrored bottom you can use to display your perfumes, jewelry, or other trinkets in a very classy and Insta-worthy way.
It's lined with felt on the bottom, so no need to worry about it scraping your lovely furniture and tabletops!
Promising review: "I bought this tray to use in my bathroom, to hold various creams, serums, etc. It’s a perfect size for that, it’s lovely, and very sturdy — not at all light or cheap-feeling. I’m super pleased with it." —Jocelyn Merkel
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
11. A set of mini macaron trinket boxes to store small school supplies or jewelry in, or even just use as decor. They're sure to brighten up your space and your day.
Promising review: "These little macaron containers are perfect. I am using them for various crafting purposes and to travel. I use them to travel and put my smaller stud earrings in them. I take them with me for paper clips and stuff in office when I have meetings on the go. The colors are very pretty and the quantity is more than adequate for the cost. They are very nicely made and were individually packaged. This is a fun item especially if you are short on space and only need small storage." —Marie70
Get a six-pack from Amazon for $6.69.
12. A macrame wall-hanging mirror that'll give a boho vibe to your dorm and double as the perfect spot to check your makeup before heading out the door.
13. A sleek mirrored digital alarm clock with USB ports that'll look way better than a typical alarm clock, PLUS it can charge your devices while you sleep. No more waking up cranky because you forgot to plug in your phone before you fell asleep.
Promising review: "Love love love this clock... sleek and definitely a statement piece. Alarm is subtle. It will definitely wake you up however it will not scare the B-Jesus out of you. Love the extra ports on the side to charge other things with it." —Meika B.
Get it from Amazon for $18.59 (available in two colors).
14. Some artificial vines to add a touch of lovely greenery to your space. No plant parent skills required.
Promising review: "I decided to make my room very earthy and zen. My room is covered in succulents and faux plants, and...these vines! I’ve bought them three times now and I love them. They are perfect and can be used for anything. The leaves on the vines don’t fall off — unlike other vines I’ve purchased. Perfect for whatever the occasion is, and I’m sure these would be beautiful for wedding decorating or other stuff. Regardless, I highly recommend and will probably buy another pack for my room." —Amei Ayuel
Get a 12-pack from Amazon for $9.99.
15. Or a set of four artificial succulents in little glass vases to spruce up any surface in your room, without having to worry about a lack of sunlight.
Promising review: "They're very cute and are the perfect size for decorating a dorm. Product matches the description on Amazon and I would definitely recommend these to anyone looking for nice decorations for a room. They look very realistic." —ihcati
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in three options).
16. A reversible shag-and-Sherpa throw blanket that's just as cozy as it is a perfect accent piece for your bed. Just imagine being wrapped in this thing during your next Netflix binge session.
Promising review: "I bought the grey fur blanket and HOLY SMOKES this is the most comfortable blanket I think I’ve ever bought. Was meant to be decor and not really used but I can’t keep it off of me, it’s so soft. I was very surprised by how good of quality it seems, especially for the price. Big enough to cover two people up easily. I’d compare the feeling of the faux fur to something like bunny’s fur, and the Sherpa is very soft as well. Has some decent weight to it and I’ve found it to be very warm so far. All in all, good for the money." —Kaylee Morris
Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in four sizes and 38 colors).
17. A super-cute doorstop to welcome your new friends into your room and put a smile on anyone's face who sees it.
Is there a better way to make friends than putting one of these adorable pups in your open doorway? Probably not.
Promising review: "I bought this dog door stopper for my 18-year-old granddaughter who just started college. She wanted a door stopper so she can keep her door open at times, and it’s a heavy door. This worked perfectly and she loves him. She calls him Lil' Ernie." —D. Jones
Get it from Amazon for $8.98 (available in four designs).
18. A waterproof Bluetooth speaker that's ready to blast some Lizzo while you and your friends prepare to look ~good as hell~ for a night out. Plus, you can take it with you to the shower or use it to play music while you study.
This Bluetooth-enabled speaker features a crisp 360-degree sound and big bass, can play 10 hours of music on a single battery charge, waterproof up to 30 minutes, it floats, and you can connect it with other devices (phones, tablets, etc.).
Promising review: "Everyone loves this speaker. Check the measurements, because it is not small. Everything about it is superior: the color choices, the ease of use, and the construction. I bought it after reading a New York Times review in the Tech section of the paper under good choices for college students. It is definitely worth the higher price." —N. Klauder
Get it from Amazon for $54.01+ (available in six colors).
19. An LED twinkle light curtain to give a cozy warmth to your room and set the mood for a perfect evening of relaxation after a stressful exam.
Plug it into an outlet, and the 300 warm LEDs will make your wall or window glow. Oh, and they have eight different mode settings for a nice, cozy twinkle. They're even waterproof so you can use them outside!
Promising review: "Perfect for my small apartment! These lights added such a cozy touch to my dining room!" —Brandon Youngman
Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in warm white or multicolor).
20. An LED essential-oil diffuser for humidifying your room, making it smell delightful, and providing a beautiful holographic glow. ✨
Promising review: "I received this as a gift from my grandma. I absolutely would recommend this to anyone who’s looking for a diffuser or even just a cool light fixture in their room. Sometimes when I’m too lazy to fill it up I just turn on the lights. Super-easy upkeep!" —peaceinluv
Get it from Urban Outfitters for $65.
21. A fluffy microfiber comforter you can use to give your dorm a crisp and clean look or a bold and colorful one, depending on what color you choose. It'll keep you super snug throughout the night, no matter what season or climate you're in.
Plus it's hypoallergenic and washing machine– and dryer-safe!
Promising review: "Fit my college dorm bed perfectly. This was so comfortable to sleep with! When it was over 100 degrees outside, this didn't keep me hot and then when it was super cold, it kept me warm! Would definitely recommend." —leah
Get it from Amazon for $36.99+ (available in six sizes and 20 colors).
22. A disco ball to turn your dorm into the ultimate dance party spot — even if it is only you and your roommate enjoying said dance party.
Promising review: "I love this disco ball! It's perfect for what I wanted. I put this in a sunny window and now every afternoon it looks and feels like magic in my living room. I'm ordering another for my patio." —Norma Jean
Get it from Amazon for $16.95.
23. A wire wall grid for hanging up postcards, notes, and Polaroid pictures with your besties.
Biletin Shop is a small business that sells wire wall grids and add-on accessories for them.
Get it from Biletin Shop on Etsy for $32.39+ (available in six options, which include shelves and cards, and five colors).
24. A viral LED projection light — it can mimic a sunset, a rainbow, or you can choose whatever ~ambiance~ you want from the 16 color options. It has a small, rotatable tripod, making it easy to set up anywhere.
Promising review: "This light is SO much fun! I kept seeing them around the internet but wasn't sure I ~needed~ one... I did! The light has a ton of different settings, is small and compact, and holy smokes, it's bright! I was honestly quite surprised how bright it was, even during the daytime. The light does get warm so I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving it on while I'm not in the same room but it's perfect for turning on in my office while I get some work done!" —Kaylah
Get it from Amazon for $27.99.
25. A wooden monogram to give your side of the room a unique, personalized touch.
48 Hour Monogram is a small, family-owned business that was founded in 2013.
Promising review: "We ordered this for my daughter's first dorm room! I didn't expect the quality or beauty that we got because the price was beyond reasonable (cheap)! I will be ordering more products for my other children and my own classroom. I do want to say that we painted it ourselves so I cannot speak to the quality of painted products. We could not be happier! We also got it several days before we expected it." —Juli Wood
Get it from 48 Hour Monogram on Amazon Handmade for $14.99+ (available in six sizes and 20 colors).
26. A beautiful tapestry you can hang above your bed to add some color to the space and bring in an outdoorsy vibe.
Promising review: "12/10 would recommend! I used this product to hang in my dorm and it's perfect! Makes my dorm feel more homey! I washed it in cold water and ironed it on low and it did perfectly! Beautiful, vibrant colors and beautiful design!" —Gracie Delaney
Get it from Amazon for $14.91.
27. A sheer canopy to make even a small dorm bed feel like a luxurious princess bed.
Promising review: "I used this product as decor above my bed in my dorm room. This canopy turned out great. I purchased a clip separately to hang from the ceiling (so that I don't have to nail it in the wall) and the canopy came with a loop at the top just for that. It all was so perfect. I've had this canopy up for about two months and it has been great." —Angela
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in five colors).
28. A felt letter board you can hang on your wall or door for warm and fuzzy affirmations, messages to your roomie, or even prayers for good grades.
29. A wooden jewelry organizer that'll look like chic decor on your wall and keep your necklaces and bracelets from getting all tangled up. It'll make accessorizing before class so much easier.
Chic Rustic Co. is a Minnesota-based Etsy shop that sells beaded jewelry and jewelry organizers.
Promising review: "Words cannot explain my love for my little jewelry spot. It’s absolutely gorgeous and has So. Much. Room. Exactly what I was looking for!" —vannah belle.
Get it from Chic Rustic Co. on Etsy for $30+ (available in four wood stains and three colors).
30. And a velvet accent chair to add an elegant touch to your desk or the corner of your room and provide extra seating when you have people over.
Promising review: "Super easy assembly, only took a minute to figure out which direction the legs go. The fabric is ridiculously soft! Very happy with my purchase, this chair feels nice and sturdy. I am happy with the back support and somewhat firm cushioning that you don't sink in to too much. It feels just right!" —Mischief
Get it from Amazon for $132.99+ (available in five colors).
You after turning your dorm into a living Pinterest board:
