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My son heads off to college next month, and I've been making a list of all of the dorm room essentials he'll need and let's just say it is a lot. Thankfully, Amazon Prime Day is here just in time to help me save a bit of money on everything he'll need as a freshman living on campus. The retailer even has a special Off to College shop to make your decisions easier. You can expect to find up to 40% off of dorm room essentials, plus you will save an additional 20% off dorm room picks from Amazon Brands.
Now, you've probably seen Tik Toks of the over-the-top dorm rooms that are impeccably designed, and that's not what you'll find here. My son has very few opinions on the aesthetics of his new space (I asked him for input on a curtain and he replied, "Why would I want a curtain?"), so we're sticking with essentials for now—things I know he'll actually need and use.
The first time it rains, my son will be thanking me for this portable travel umbrella (right??). It claims to withstand winds up to 85 mph and weighs less than a pound, so it won't take up too much room in his backpack.
It doesn't get easier (or more affordable) than this 5-piece bed-in-a-bag set. It includes a comforter, fitted sheet, top sheet, sham, and pillow case, all for less than $30.
This slim hamper won't take up too much space, plus it has a removable mesh liner with handles, so he can take it straight to the laundry room without transferring it to a basket or bag.
Tide's new laundry tiles are perfect for college students—they don't have the mess of liquid detergent and are suited for any type of washing machine. Plus, they're plastic free.
My son has a bathroom in his dorm, so he'll need a few quick drying bath mats. This affordable non-slip option comes in 27 colors and more than a dozen sizes.
If there's one dorm room item worth investing in, it's a mattress topper. The beds are not exactly luxurious, and sleep is incredibly important to college-age kids. This option from is made from cooling memory foam.
My son's room comes with a small dresser and closet, so I'm not expecting him to need too much additional storage. But this easy-to-assemble 3-drawer dresser will provide some extra space for school supplies, snacks, or socks. It's on wheels so he can move it out of the way.
Yes, a TV is a dorm room essential. This one has legs, do you don't need to mount it to the wall. Plus it has the apps, like Netflix and Hulu, for streaming TV shows and movies.