Dorm decor for the class of 2016

We put together a list of dorm necessities and accessories you might want to consider as you’re shopping. Take notes on what’s right for your room.

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You’ll want to have a place where someone can write a real message, not just text. These wall-mounted accent lamps have flat bubble shades that function as message boards. They are battery-operated. Accent lamp with text bubble shade and TV-shaped accent lamp. $14.99.

Dan Olson / Target

Bring some style to the table. “Don’t just get a lamp that’s beige and boring,” says Sabrina Soto, Target’s style expert for home. “Injecting some color with your lamp is important because your desk will be full of books and papers.” The stick lamp with patterned shade comes in several prints. $16.99.

Kirby Johnson / Target

Finding dorm lamps for guys can be a challenge. The bold <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.target.com/s/man+lamp#?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google&CPNG=lighting&adgroup=lighting&LNM=Man%20lamp&MT=broad&LID=32p191128&KID=0fe4e4b6-e798-5aa9-33f3-00006d9d2b21'>Walking Man Lamp</a> series, available in blue, yellow or red, features a base in the shape of a dude walking. $15.99.

Finding dorm lamps for guys can be a challenge. The bold Walking Man Lamp series, available in blue, yellow or red, features a base in the shape of a dude walking. $15.99.

Dan Olson / Target

With so many devices to keep track of and charged, it is wise to designate a multi-tasking home for them. In the <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=40273686'> iHome app-enhanced triple charge dual alarm stereo clock,</a> you can charge your iPhone and iPad at once and wake and sleep to either your own playlist or radio. $129.99.

With so many devices to keep track of and charged, it is wise to designate a multi-tasking home for them. In the iHome app-enhanced triple charge dual alarm stereo clock, you can charge your iPhone and iPad at once and wake and sleep to either your own playlist or radio. $129.99.

Bed, Bath & Beyond

An inexpensive accessory that adds personality: Melamine <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=203626'>Threadless wastebaskets</a> are available in five colorful designs. The Threadless global design community, originally known for its innovative T-shirts, now produces unique designs for many products. $9.99.

An inexpensive accessory that adds personality: Melamine Threadless wastebaskets are available in five colorful designs. The Threadless global design community, originally known for its innovative T-shirts, now produces unique designs for many products. $9.99.

Bed, Bath & Beyond

A waterproof carrier for all those hair and body products is a must for trips to the shower down the hall. The <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10028018&N=&Ntt=flexible'>flexible shower tote</a>, available in blue/aqua, orange/pink, pink/orange or aqua/blue, has drain holes and a divider inside. $9.99.

A waterproof carrier for all those hair and body products is a must for trips to the shower down the hall. The flexible shower tote, available in blue/aqua, orange/pink, pink/orange or aqua/blue, has drain holes and a divider inside. $9.99.

The Container Store

A comforter is usually one of the first dorm purchases. “Your bedding will define your style,” says Jessica Joyce, spokeswoman for Bed Bath & Beyond. “It’s where you study, eat, sleep and hang out, and it reflects your personality.” The Orla Kiely stem mini bed set is in one of the Irish designer’s signature prints and includes a comforter and sham. $149.99.

Bed, Bath & Beyond

Replacing the institutional desk chair makes good sense. “Most dorm rooms come with a standard desk chair, but it’s usually very plain and not the most comfortable,” says Olescia Hanson, spokeswoman for the Container Store. She suggests adding color and comfort with the bungee office chair. The straps are supportive and a pneumatic lift makes it easily adjustable. In green, blue, black, chocolate or pink berry. $139.

The Container Store

Add more space for stuff with these lightweight portable chests. They have fabric drawers and are equipped with swivel casters for easy transport. Two wheels are lockable. The Studio 3B Z drawer carts come in pink or black. $39.99 for 3-drawer; $49.99 for 4-drawer.

Bed Bath & Beyond

Your parents will miss you. The Call Your Mother pillow was created by New York designer Alexandra Ferguson so moms would get a little more love from their off-to-college offspring. It’s made of felt from recycled plastic containers. (There’s also a Don’t Tell Dad version.) Available in charcoal/fuchsia and five other color combinations. $89.

Dormify

Create a home for your purses or towels without nailing or screwing anything into the wall with these sleek <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.containerstore.com/shop/hooks/adhesive?productId=10030480&amp;N=69020'>Command adhesive nickel modern hooks</a>. The hooks adhere to almost any surface and won’t damage paint or wood. $8.99 to $13.99.

Create a home for your purses or towels without nailing or screwing anything into the wall with these sleek Command adhesive nickel modern hooks. The hooks adhere to almost any surface and won’t damage paint or wood. $8.99 to $13.99.

The Container Store

Stylish decals bring personality to a boring white dorm room. And they don’t take up any space. This removable accessory is best when it makes a bold statement, such as the chain chandelier decal, measuring 28-by-23 inches. It resembles a black crystal chandelier dripping with facets. “It’s a fashion statement and you don’t damage anything in the room,” says Karen Zuckerman, president and founder of Dormify, a source for dorm gear. Available in black and five other colors. $40.

Nicholas Monu / Dormify

Canvas totes have many uses in dorms, including laundry and clothing storage. The <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10024258&N=&Ntt=horizon'>horizon rectangular crunch cans</a> by Umbra crunch back down when not in use, $19.99.

Canvas totes have many uses in dorms, including laundry and clothing storage. The horizon rectangular crunch cans by Umbra crunch back down when not in use, $19.99.

The Container Store

This black metal club chair with zebra plush cushioning folds when not in use. <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/Product.asp?MC=1&SKU=40080444&'>The club chair with pocket </a>also provides storage for books or a remote, $39.99.

This black metal club chair with zebra plush cushioning folds when not in use. The club chair with pocket also provides storage for books or a remote, $39.99.

Bed, Bath & Beyond

Clocky, the alarm clock on wheels, will run away and hide if you don’t rouse yourself out of bed, $39.

Dormify

Wall decor that acts as a bulletin board, <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=18117410&RN=989&'>the paper clip collage</a> is cute and useful, $14.99.

Wall decor that acts as a bulletin board, the paper clip collage is cute and useful, $14.99.

Bed, Bath & Beyond

<a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10015612&N=&Ntt=dublet'>Dublet adjustable closet rod expander</a> by Umbra works with existing closet rods to provide more room for hanging clothes, $19.99.

Dublet adjustable closet rod expander by Umbra works with existing closet rods to provide more room for hanging clothes, $19.99.

The Container Store

No room for workout clothes or sweaters? Invest in a white Elfa mesh start-a-stack. Four drawers and a 21-inch depth make it possible to fit in many tight dorm closets for extra storage. While mesh allows you to see what’s inside, small items won’t fall through. $119.

Container Store

Navy bedding works well for boys’ dorm rooms. The <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=130067'>‘Knot’s Bay’ comforter set</a> by Nautica comes with a reversible comforter, sheets and pillowcase, starting at $149.99.

Navy bedding works well for boys’ dorm rooms. The ‘Knot’s Bay’ comforter set by Nautica comes with a reversible comforter, sheets and pillowcase, starting at $149.99.

Bed, Bath & Beyond

Polka dot storage boxes add fashion and function to a dorm room. The <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10032489&N=&Ntt=ruby+dot'>ruby dots fabric storage boxes</a>come in three sizes, $14.99 to $21.99.

Polka dot storage boxes add fashion and function to a dorm room. The ruby dots fabric storage boxescome in three sizes, $14.99 to $21.99.

The Container Store

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A protestor in a Guy Fawkes mask walks past razor wire outside a security perimeter of the G-8 summit in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland on Monday, June 17, 2013. The summit is taking place under heavy security, with some 7,000 police lining roads and checking vehicles. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

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Two-year old male rat named Dyatlik wears a costume during a rodent exhibition in Minsk, Belarus, Saturday, June 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Animal views

Rodent exhibition, swimming with elephants, Mexico’s feline mayoral candidate and more.

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 14: Johnathon Carrington, valedictorian at Dunbar High School, laughs with family and friends after his school's graduation ceremony at Howard University on Friday, June 14, 2013, in Washington, DC. Carrington, who grew up in Tyler House public-housing apartments and is graduating from one of DC's low-performing high schoolsy, where academic expectations are high. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

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U.S. actress Sandra Bullock poses for the media during a photocall to promote her latest move 'The Heat' in Berlin June 18, 2013. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 16: Reenactors dressed as knights stage a medieval jousting competition at Eltham Palace on June 16, 2013 in Eltham, England. The 'Grand Medieval Joust' event at Eltham Palace, an English Heritage property which was the childhood home of King Henry VIII, aims to give a great insight into life at the palace during the medieval period. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

The Grand Medieval Joust

The Grand Medieval Joust at Eltham Palace, an English Heritage property that was the childhood home of King Henry VIII, aims to lend insight through reenactment into life at the palace...

In this June 8, 2013 photo, youth compete in the Sao Carlos slum local soccer tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The pitch is just dirt and the incandescent lights aren't so bright. But when the boys' feet strike the football in the Sao Carlos slum as night falls every Saturday, big league dreams glow, inflated by the hope of escaping the shantytown with sporting skills. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

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WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 16: John F. Tatum Sr. hugs his grandson John F. Tatum III during his annual Father's Day block party on Sunday, June 16, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Amanda Voisard/For the Washington Post)

Father’s Day picnic in Northeast D.C.

A decades-old backyard barbecue in Northeast Washington draws hundreds in honor of dads everywhere. “It’s off-the-chain fun,” says Butch McNair, who has worked one...

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 16: Miss Connecticut USA Erin Brady reacts after being crowned Miss USA during the 2013 Miss USA pageant at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on June 16, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Miss USA 2013

Miss Connecticut USA Erin Brady is crowned Miss USA 2013 in Las Vegas.

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Dorm decor for the class of 2016

We put together a list of dorm necessities and accessories you might want to consider as you’re shopping. Take notes on what’s right for your room.

FEATURED PHOTO GALLERIES

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