The 6 Products You Need for the Perfect Dorm Bed Setup (Great for Lounging, Too!)

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Cozy bedroom corner featuring a blue ruffled duvet, striped pillows, an orange velvet accent pillow, and a purple nightstand with decor. — Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe. Prop Styling: Vicky Wasik and Maya Borrero

The first step to making a dorm room your own is figuring out how to make your twin XL bed as cozy as possible. I’m talking about a cloud-like mattress pad, supersoft bedding, and a pillow that’s so comfortable you try your hardest to not schedule any 8 a.m. classes.

Thinking about filling that empty room — and creating a space where you can sleep comfortably — is overwhelming, but you can find nearly everything you need when you shop the winners of the 2026 Dorm Therapy Awards. All of the items on our list of the best dorm products for the 2026-2027 school year were recommended by real college students, so you know they’re good. Among the winners are six must-haves for bedding and lounging (because you do more than sleep there!) that might just make your dorm your favorite spot on campus.

Room Essentials Microfiber Sheet Set

$10

Make your Twin XL bed cute as it can be with these Room Essentials microfiber sheets that come in so many different colors and patterns.

If you’d rather sleep on 100% cotton sheets, these Threshold sheets offer a supercute variety of designs as well.

$10 at Target

Threshold Cool Touch Memory Foam Bed Pillow

$30

Your sleep is so important; you need a pillow that literally supports it. This Threshold cool touch memory foam pillow is "easy to wash and supports my neck. Cool to the touch on hot summer nights. A slightly pricey option that’s worth the cost," says Taylor R., Bard College ‘28.

For a non-memory foam option, check out the CozyLux down alternative pillow.

$30 at Target

LINENSPA 3-Inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper, Twin XL

$73$6215% off

Getting used to a new bed is a whole lot easier when you add this mattress topper. Isabella P., Washington State University '27, calls it "thick and comfy" and "not super duper soft." You'll be glad you've got 3 inches of gel-infused memory foam between you and your school-issued mattress.

$62 at Amazon

Room Essentials Box Stitch Puffer Comforter

$35$30

Above all, a comforter needs to be cozy. Good thing this Room Essentials box stitch puffer comforter is "very very cozy," according to Marina M., John Carroll University ‘29. It's also machine washable and can be tumbled dry — which, let's be real, is completely necessary.

$30 at Target

Hatch Restore 3

$170

"Made waking up for an 8 am easy!" says Kaylyn R., University of Nebraska ‘28. That is bold praise, but the Restore 3 delivers with a sunrise alarm, sleep sounds, and even what Hatch calls a "phone-free design" since most controls are right there on the clock.

If you're not able to spend as much, consider this sunrise alarm clock.

$170 at Hatch

Samsung 32" HD Smart LED TV

$150$118

When your laptop monitor just won't cut it (like when Heated Rivalry Season 2 finally drops in 2027), go for this 32-inch Samsung TV.

No space for a television? Consider a projector like this easily storable mini one from Amazon that connects to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

$118 at Best Buy

Collette Reitz

Special Projects Editor

I've worked in digital media for more than seven years — first as a writer, and then as a weekend and full-time editor. I began as a daily trending news writer for Elite Daily and then expanded my coverage as an editor into tech, food, social media, health, current events, and politics. I've collaborated with colleagues to create many exciting packages throughout my career, like Elite Daily's Money Issue, which aimed to help Gen Z better understand their personal finances. More recently, I helped launch Apartment Therapy and The Kitchn's "Happy Hosting!" vertical, packed with clever solutions for making holiday celebrations less stressful. I've also covered exciting product launches, including an Apple iPhone reveal in Cupertino, California. I've been lucky enough to interview accomplished individuals, including former WNBA star Sue Bird, Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman, and the iconic Dolly Parton.What I love most about digital media is connecting with readers. My goal is always to create well-researched content that impacts someone's day, whether that's offering practical solutions and reliable information or just providing a laugh with a well-placed pop-culture reference.

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Alison Goldman

Editor-in-Chief

Hi! I’m Alison, and I’m the editor-in-chief of Cubby, AT Media's site for families at home, and Dorm Therapy, the company's site dedicated to helping students feel at home at school, as well as the director of special projects for AT Media. I’ve lined my bookshelves with magazines for as long as I can remember. I love creating content that helps people live happier, more fulfilling lives. Previously, I worked as the lifestyle editor at Boston Globe Media's Boston.com, where I oversaw coverage of arts and entertainment, food and restaurants, travel, and wellness, and I co-edited the Globe's popular Names page. Prior to Boston.com, I held editorial positions at WomensHealthMag.com and Glamour magazine. I've also worked as a full-time freelance journalist, crafting lifestyle and culture content with an emphasis on women’s issues for publications including Cosmopolitan, The Lily from The Washington Post, Well+Good, The Boston Globe Magazine, and Chicago Magazine. I graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, where I’ve taught as an adjunct lecturer. I’ve lived in a few different cities, but now I’m based in Chicago with my husband and two kids.

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