10 of Our Favorites from IKEA’s College Dorm Essentials
A well-designed dorm room is a gold medalist in small-space living: a tiny, often shared, space that has to support studying, relaxing, and socializing — plus score style points! It’s a decor challenge that’s actually pretty fun to solve. All it takes is a little planning and smart shopping.
That’s to say, all it takes is a little IKEA. The design superstore is packed with college dorm essentials like space-saving furniture, clever storage, and colorful decor: aka everything a dorm room needs to work hard and look great doing it. Here are the items at the top of our shopping list for creating the most stylish, organized spot on campus.
Practical Picks
Every college student needs a place to sleep, a place to study, and a place to stash their stuff, and IKEA can set them up for success. The MALM bed frame has a clean design that doesn’t overcrowd. It complements the slim shape of the MICKE desk, which has a cable-hiding design for a streamlined look. The KALLAX shelf unit can store everything from books to kitchen essentials, open or with storage boxes, so students can always find what they need.
Extra Credit
Just because dorm rooms have functional demands doesn’t mean we won’t talk style! These small spaces are big opportunities for personal expression. Mod bedding like BJÖRKGRÅMAL makes a style statement, with a graphic, reversible black-and-white dot design. The sleek, endlessly useful NISSAFORS storage cart has so many creative uses — we love it as a nightstand or an entryway landing zone. And the whimsical PRESSA, a colorful and cartoonish twist on a hanging dryer, is a laundry-day standout.