College Life
30 Most Useful Dorm Room Ideas for Guys – The Complete 2024 Guide
Whether your move-in date is around the corner or it’s months ahead, we rounded up the most useful dorm ideas for guys!
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Whether your move-in date is around the corner or it’s months ahead, planning what dorm room essentials to bring and what your dorm should look like can be an arduous task.
There are many factors to consider, such as how you can make a space — that is both practical and fun — your own for a couple of semesters.
Have no fear, I rounded up the best 30 dorm room ideas for guys which can make any room reflect the fun, bold and collegiate person that you are.
IN THIS POST:
Inspirational Wall Art-Gallery Set of 6 Prints
Need some inspiration to keep the hustle? We got you covered. These 6 beautiful Minimalist Inspirational Wall Art Printables are exactly what every college student needs to stay motivated at all times.
They are a perfect and easy way to decorate your dorm. Simply put them close to your desk or bed. They are designed to perfectly fit in a frame.
Students absolutely LOVE them. Multiple sizes included so you have plenty of options to choose from.
Dorm Room Essentials for Guys
1. Get Rid of The New Dorm Smell with this Ultrasonic Essential Oil Diffuser
When you first enter your dorm room, it’ll likely smell brand new.
Sometimes the scent will be to your liking, but most of the time it will smell of a space that has been uninhabited for however many months.
So, the first essential dorm room idea for guys is an essential oil diffuser.
Essential oil diffusers are everyone’s best friend when it comes to brightening up a room as a decoration, and of course, makes a space smell fantastic.
The first time I moved into my dorm I immediately set up my essential oil diffuser to remove the smell and make the space my own!
I highly recommend this ceramic essential oil diffuser from J.Crew. Its sleek design is the perfect decoration for any dorm room, and more importantly, it produces a steady mist that helps purify the air.
2. No More Late Night Runs to Print Shops with this HP Officejet 200 Portable Printer
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Another dorm room idea for guys is to have a portable printer inside their dorm room.
It’s essential for everyone moving into a dorm to have something to print their papers, lab works, identifications, etc. on because at times it’s hard to find the closest print shop, especially if you have a hard copy of something due the next class meeting.
This HP Officejet portable and wireless printer is perfect for any dorm room because it doesn’t take up too much space and no wires are required.
With a portable printer, you can stop worrying about finding the closest printer to you and you can get that extra hour of sleep.
3. Hold All of your Bathroom Necessities with this Discreet Shower Caddy
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More often than not, your dorm will have a communal bathroom where students from each floor or suite share.
With this discreet shower caddy, you can save yourself the embarrassment of exposing all your private shower items in a communal bathroom.
Not only is it a good addition to any dorm room because of its tote-like appearance, but it also holds everything that you’ll need to take a shower.
You can either add the caddy inside your closet or hang it by your door so it’s always available when needed.
I absolutely love that this caddy comes with a mirror and a 3 number combination lock to protect your things.
4. Get Your Everyday Hot Drink Boost in Your Room with this Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker
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If you love coffee like most college students then this mini, single-cup coffee maker is a must-add-to-cart dorm room essential.
I love adding a single-cup coffee maker to my desk, it feels homier and I can immediately get a drink instead of buying coffee on campus.
I recommend placing it near an outlet so you can plug it in and have it ready to use.
5. A First Aid Kit is a must
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It’s never a bad idea to be prepared for any kind of emergency, and nothing says you're ready more than this first aid kit.
Its small size will fit anywhere including your desk drawers but can still fit 299 pieces of first aid supplies- band-aids always come in handy!
Personally, I would place this in an area I use often so I can remember where I placed the kit.
This dorm room idea is important because safety should always come first.
Related: 30 Best Dorm Room Ideas You Will Absolutely Need in College
6. You Can Never Have Too Many Power Outlets.
This Mifaso 2 Pack Power Strip with 6 Outlets is Life Saver
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One thing I noticed about dorm rooms is that there are never enough outlets.
So, this next dorm room idea for guys is a reminder to purchase your power outlets in advance depending on how many you think you will need.
If your college is in a relatively hot area, should you be considering plugging in a fan for that extra cooling?
I suggest that you get an estimate of the things you need power outlets for and buy from there.
I love how this Amazon product comes in two because, as I said, you can never have too many power outlets.
If you have a game cube or music device that needs to be connected to a good power source, this is the perfect outlet!
7. Turn Your Dorm Room Into a Workout Area with the Nike Push-Up Grip
Sometimes going to the gym is a challenge due to the distance or maybe you just don’t feel like going to the gym at all.
Nike push-up grips are the perfect solution that you can store under your bed, in your closet, or by your door.
It’s easy to access and there is no installation required so you can skip the walking to the gym part and go straight to doing your push-ups.
This dorm room idea is perfect for anyone who’s starting to add a workout routine to their everyday lives or for those with active lifestyles that like to have easy access to workout equipment.
I would definitely recommend storing this where you can see it so you don’t forget!
8. Towels are Always Needed so this Cotton Towel Collection are a Must
Simply Essential™ Cotton Bath Towel Collection
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One thing I’d recommend as a dorm room idea for guys is to have a towel collection in their rooms.
The same way there is no such thing as too many outlets, you want to have towels you can replace right away whenever one gets dirty, so you don't have to worry about doing laundry every week, especially when you have a lot on your plate.
9. Mini Air Fryer
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If take-outs aren’t doing the job of satisfying your tastebuds anymore, then this dorm room item idea is for you.
A mini air fryer is the perfect addition to any room, especially if your goal is to eat out less and cook food in your dorm that you know you’ll like.
An air fryer is perfect for almost any recipe you can think of, and I love that it’s mini and easy to clean.
You don’t have to clean pots and the stove because using the air fryer will save you a trip from the communal kitchen and have food ready in the comfort of your room. There are also different colors to choose from!
Find one that you know will brighten your room and add character to your space.
10. Bamboo Lap Desk
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Another dorm room essential is a lap desk.
Sometimes it’s hard to work at your desk and you need the comfort of your bed, or perhaps you don’t have a desk at all, but you can get by with a lap desk!
11. Buy a Bedside Caddy
One dorm room organization idea for guys is a bedside caddy.
This caddy is where you’ll put things that you want to reach immediately like phone chargers, pen and paper, laptops and tablets.
Having a bedside caddy is an efficient way to save space and to have an organized place where you can find the things you need.
I love that there are 14 large pockets in this caddy because it means it offers much more storage! I can definitely place laptops and notebooks in this caddy.
12. Have a Utility Cart
Another dorm room organization idea for guys is to have a utility cart. Truthfully, your utility cart is what you make of it.
It can organize your school supplies, your plants, your shoes, your snacks and whatever else you want.
This one from Amazon is three-tiered, offering maximum space necessary for all the things you need to organize.
The utility cart can either be placed by your desk or by your bed alongside your bedside caddy; it can also be placed by the door with your diffuser if you want to welcome your guests with a fantastic smell.
I love that the utility cart can function as many things! The ideas of what to put are endless, and the caddy keeps your room organized.
Related: 50 Dorm Room Must-Haves for College Students
13. No More Rogue Pens and Pencils with this Multifuncional Desk Organizer
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If you want your desk clean then this desk organizer is for you.
Having a desk organizer where you can put your pens and pencils, index cards, sticky notes, etc. is perfect to keep your desk clean so your study sessions can go smoothly.
Having an organized desk can take up some of your focus time, so a desk organizer is a must. I like how you can also put your phone in this organizer.
If you are a fan of the Pomodoro technique then you can set your phone as a timer and place it on the organizer.
14. Maximize Your Closet Space with this Space Saving Clothes Hangers
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One major idea to consider when setting up your dorm room is to maximize your closet space.
You do not want to run out of closet space, especially if you are like me and own too many clothes to count.
These hangers allow you to have that extra space in your closet by extending downwards instead of horizontally.
I love that the hangers can hold so many of my clothes and that the pack comes with eight hangers.
15. Maximize Your Bed Space with these Underbed Storage Bags
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Usually, you will get a twin XL in your dorm room, but one essential dorm room idea is to maximize your bed storage. In a dorm room, you need to use your space in creative ways to store all of your things.
A storage bag under your bed will help you store things without getting them dirty. With this storage bag, you can put away shoes, more school supplies, clothes and more.
The possibilities are endless but you must make use of the space given to you.
I love that the product is big enough for almost any item and that it comes in different colors so I can match it with my dorm aesthetics.
16. Don’t Ruin Your Clothes with these awesome Slim Grips Hangers
Slim Grips Suit Hangers
You don’t want a wrinkled shirt on your next job or internship interview so another dorm room idea is to have hangers with grips.
These hangers keep your suits and your dress shirts in shape while the grips keep it in place so you don’t have to worry about any wrinkles.
These hangers can be stored alongside your magic closet space saver hangers mentioned above.
I like that it comes in a set of fifty because I wouldn’t have to worry about running out of these hangers.
17. Over-The-Door Shoe Organizer
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Like mentioned incessantly above, a dorm room idea is to maximize the space given to you.
Most guys, including myself, own a lot of shoes and it would be fantastic to know where to store them.
One great item and a perfect addition to any dorm room is this over-the-door shoe organizer! You can hang it by the door and place your shoes inside.
It’s the perfect way to save space in your dorm room.
I love that it’s boxed-shaped and crystal clear, that way I can see what shoes I want to wear for the day.
18. Drawer Organizer Trays
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If you want your drawers as organized as your desk, then this dorm room idea is perfect for you.
Drawer organizers are essential to keeping your drawers free from clutter.
These clear trays come in different sizes so they are perfect to separate and organize things to your liking. You will be able to store as many items as you want.
I really recommend this drawer organizer set because it really gives you the chance to organize pins to sticky notes to pennies collected in the laundry!
19. Command Strip Hooks
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Another dorm room idea for guys is to buy command strip hooks!
They are multifunctional if you need more space for clothes, if you want to hang your hats, or if you are setting up lights in your room.
This product is definitely an all-around perfect item for any use you might have.
The color will blend to any room aesthetics and it will not disrupt any vibe you are going for.
I also love that it’s a stick-on so that you can avoid using hammers or making holes in the wall.
20. No More Lost Socks or Stolen Clothes with this Embroidered Name Laundry Bag
One pit of the college dorming experience is the lost or stolen clothes during laundry day.
So, this dorm room idea for guys is to have an embroidered laundry bag.
A laundry bag with your name on it can save you a lot of trouble from the mix up of whose clothes are whose.
I would recommend placing this near the door or inside the closet where you can put your dirty clothes easily.
Nothing says personalized more than an embroidered laundry bag.
Related: 40 Dorm Room Must Haves For College Students In 2024
Cool Ways to Decorate Your Room for Guys
21. Add LED Strip Lights
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Adding strip lights to your room is an easy way to instantly personalize your space, so this is one of the many dorm room ideas for guys that I recommend.
Strip lights can set the mood for anything from hangouts, to study sessions, to even romance.
The different colors can be used depending on what you feel is right at the moment.
You can choose between 16-feet or 32-feet strips, so make sure you measure wisely.
The lights also come with a remote to easily change the lights and even create custom colors.
22. Make Your Room Fun with a Basketball Hoop
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There is a reason you see these everywhere, from college dorms to bigshot offices.
But they’re fun! Basketball hoops like this also make great stress relievers—it may do him a lot of good to keep this around the office or at home for a bit of after-work winding-down.
23. Stick-On Acrylic Mirror
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One way to decorate your dorm room is to put these stick-on acrylic mirrors on your wall.
This sticker decal also conserves the space in your dorm room by avoiding the need to buy a full-length mirror.
Plus, its geometric shape makes for a cool decoration in your room. I love the hexagonal shapes because I can create my own style with it.
24. No Boring Laundry Days
Laundry days shouldn’t be boring! This dorm room idea for guys makes dirty clothes fun with this slam dunk laundry basket.
You can keep score when you slam dunk your dirty clothes into the pile.
25. Illuminate Your Space
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If strip lights aren’t enough, then illuminate your dorm room more by adding this trendy sunset lamp projector.
It can be your dorm room’s art piece because its colors mimic the works of James Turrell.
I like how it comes with four different color projections, that way you can set it depending on whatever you are feeling that day. This projector will surely make any dorm room the coolest!
Related: 40 Dorm Hacks Every College Student Must Know
26. Wall Mounted Game
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Another dorm room idea for guys is to have a wall mounted Connect 4. It’s the perfect addition to a cool dorm room and it’s handy to kill time with.
The piece will surely be a conversation starter and is perfect if you are trying to make new friends.
Plus, it is easy to install, just mount it on your dorm room wall and voila!
27. Add More Furniture for Relaxation
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If you want more space where you can relax after a long day, then adding more furniture is the perfect dorm room idea for you.
Sometimes dorm rooms will only offer a bed and a desk but nothing beyond that so it would be nice if you can add a little area where you can sit and enjoy the rest of your day.
This hanging hammock is the perfect addition to any dorm room.
I definitely would add this hammock to my dorm because it looks so comfortable and it’s easy to install.
28. Add Color to the Walls
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If you don’t want to stick with the plain walls that your dorm room has, then adding a tapestry to your wall is the idea for you.
Adding tapestry to your walls can make the room so much brighter and interesting to look at.
There are tons of tapestries to choose from to fit your liking, but I recommend this great wave tapestry because it reminds me of the beach and it’s calming
29. Have a TV
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Take advantage of this Cyber Monday and get this smart TV now with a 45% discount!
Its smart functionality delivers all your favorite content with over 500,000 movies and TV episodes, accessible through the simple and intuitive Roku TV.
You can get fast and easy access to your favorite content through the dual-band Wi-Fi connection.
Its easy voice control works with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to help you find movie titles, launch or change channels, and even switch inputs using just your voice.
That is also available through the Roku mobile app.
30. No Tools Mirror
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Another cool dorm room idea for guys is to install this no-tools mirror in your dorm room. A mirror makes a small space even bigger and this will be a perfect addition to your room.
It can also help you plan what you wear for the day or help you decide if you look business casual enough for your consulting club interview.
I love that the mirror requires no tools to install, making it a convenient choice for us busy college students.
16 Bonus Items You Can Add to Your Dorm Room
Wall Decor for Guys
Dorm Bedding for Guys
Related: 50 Best College Apartment Decor Ideas – The Ultimate Guide
Dorm Furniture for Guys
Dorm Lighting for Guys
These clips are the perfect dorm gift since most people like to have reminders of their friends and family back home when they move into new dorms.
But, the small dorm space can get in the way of where to put your pictures. These string lights allow you to utilize your wall space and put your most special memories on display.
Not to mention, they also add much-needed lighting to your space. String lights were a godsend when I went to college! They made displaying my pictures easy and left an elegant feel to my room.
Related: 30 Best Dorm Room Ideas You Will Absolutely Need In College
Final Thoughts on Dorm Room Ideas for Guys
Now that you have dorm room ideas for guys in mind, you can start making your dorm room your own!
Make sure everything is to your liking because you want a space that will bring you comfort and that will support you when the pressure of college starts to kick in.
You want a space that feels like a place where you can study, relax, and entertain yourself.
There are a lot of things you need in your dorm room and it takes careful planning on what to bring, but make sure you also consider dorm room ideas and items that make you the happiest!
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