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Projector and tea light candles on nightstand
Projector and tea light candles on nightstand
Original photo by Deven Diamantis
Style > Decor

3 Essential Products That Transformed My College Dorm Into a Cozy Getaway

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Montclair chapter.

The fall college semester has begun, which means my favorite time of the year is finally here: dorm decorating! After spending endless hours scouring Pinterest for some decor inspiration, I immediately went to Target, Homegoods and Amazon, in search of the perfect products to complete my mission of transforming my home away from home into a cozy autumn-themed getaway. 

String Lights

An absolute must-have product to make your dorm instantly feel warm and cozy is battery operated yellow-colored string lights. String lights make the biggest difference when you hang them around the perimeter of your ceiling. Seriously, I effortlessly hung the lights around my ceiling by using clear tape and that was it! Ditch the dull and white-colored ceiling light and turn on your string lights for a warmer feeling at night.

Mini Tea Light Candles

Along with hanging string lights around your ceiling, the second must-have product is mini tea light candles. I placed about six battery-operated candles in a row alongside my nightstand for a little flickering glow at night. Having to say goodbye to fall scented candles while dorming is an absolute tragedy but the tea light candles help replicate them.

Portable Projector

The last and final product you absolutely need to take your cozy dorm to the next level is a portable projector. I found the most perfect and affordable projector called VivImage on Amazon, and let me tell you, the quality is absolutely amazing! I prop up the projector with a few books on my nightstand, connect it to my laptop, and directly shine my favorite movies like Legally Blonde and Pitch Perfect on my wall all night long.

I promise these three essential products will instantly transform your dull college dorm into your new cozy home away from home!

An accomplished undergraduate student at Montclair State University pursuing a B.A. in Public Relations with a minor in Business Administration. Inspired by the world around me, I cover topics such as: politics, travel, and communication tips.
Lauren Clemente recent graduate from Montclair State University who studied Communication and Media Arts. She held the role of President and Co-Campus Correspondent, as well as Editor-in-Chief at Her Campus Montclair. She loves all things to do with content creation, fashion + beauty and traveling the world.