10 Dorm Room Bedding Sets for a Cozy Nights’ Sleep
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College students have a reputation for spending a lot of time in bed, from sleeping ‘til noon on Saturdays to finding a comfy spot to cram for midterms. Add to that the fact that their beds are often the only soft spot to perch in their tiny dorm rooms and, well, it makes sense that they’d spend a lot of time there. Needless to say, the bed is where you’re going to want to spend a lot of time and attention when prepping your teen for college and life on their own.
Here’s the thing, though: College bedding can be a bit complicated, so heading into the store and snagging the first sheet set you find probably isn’t going to cut it. You’ll need to look for a specific size while also considering things like fabric, budget, and their other dorm room decor. So we’re diving into everything you need to know about dorm room bedding, and kicking off your collegiate shopping with our favorite cozy bedding sets that will leave your undergrad with sweet dreams.
What Size Are Dorm Beds?
While it can vary from college to college, most dorm beds are a twin XL, which is the same width as a twin bed, but with a little extra length. Thankfully, many retailers have caught onto the need for twin XL bedding, so it’s fairly easy to find in trendy prints and versatile fabrics that are the perfect match for collegiate life. A twin XL comforter is a bit tougher to find, so it’s often best to opt for a full-sized comforter and duvet—that way, your child will have a little extra plushness surrounding them when they get a bit homesick.
Do Dorms Come With Bedding?
Sorry to say it, but you’ll have to keep dorm room bedding on your shopping list ahead of September. Typically, college dorm rooms do not come with bedding included. Most will provide a twin XL mattress and bed frame, but it’s on the student to bring along bedding, pillows, and any other sleep accessories they need.
What Type of Bedding is Best for College?
Bedding is a super personal choice, and there are plenty of options when it comes to finding the best dorm room bedding. Whether it’s a bold print or quiet pattern, pick a style that suits the vibe your college kid is hoping to nail for their dorm room. You’ll want to get at least a few sets of sheets (college students are notoriously not great at laundry, after all), and some extra pillows for added comfort for doing homework or reading on their bed.
Finally, keep in mind that college students often can’t control the temperature in their dorm rooms, so they may be dealing with unusually hot temps in the winter or freezing AC during the late spring. Shop for dorm bedding made from a versatile and breathable fabric, like linen, bamboo, or sateen, to help keep their bed comfortable no matter what the weather.
01
Luxe Sateen Hardcore Sheet Bundle
Brooklinen
$206.47
It’s always a good idea to grab a few extra sets of sheets in addition to a full dorm room bedding set. This comprehensive collection from Brooklinen comes in a slew of easy-to-pair shades and patterns, so you can mix and match them with ease. Each piece included is made from the brand’s iconic sateen fabric, which is woven using 480 thread-count long-staple cotton for a silky surface that boasts a luminous sheen and cooling appeal.
02
Cream Puff Comforter Set
Pottery Barn Teen
$327.50
Warning: This plush comforter set is so cozy, your college student may just sleep through their morning alarm! Made from a sustainable combination of recycled plastic bottles and cotton, this chic set is inspired by block prints from India and features a twin XL comforter, one standard sham, one fitted sheet, one flat sheet, and two standard pillowcases.
03
Bedsure 5-Piece Comforter Set
Amazon
$49.99
Bed-in-a-bag sets are popular among the college-bound set, and for good reason. They’re packed with everything you need to dress a bed in an instant, from pillowcases and shams to a fluffy comforter. This collection from Bedsure is a best seller on Amazon, with thoughtful features like a reversible comforter, envelope-close pillowcases, and a diamond-tufted design that keeps the fill from shifting. Bonus: There are over 30 different colors to choose from.
04
RHODE Jawahar Duvet Cover & Shams
West Elm
$138.00
Their dorm room will feel less like a dorm room and more like a Nancy Meyers-inspired escape with this Rhode x West Elm collab that bottles the charm of the English countryside. The elegant set includes a twin XL duvet cover and a sham, both featuring a botanical lattice print and preppy green ribbon edging.
05
Painted Bows Duvet Set
Urban Outfitters
$79.00
For the coquette girly girls, it doesn’t get better than this charming bow duvet set from Urban Outfitters. Made from a soft cotton-poly blend, they tout a tiny sheen that keeps them looking refined and elegant. This set comes with a duvet cover and one pillowcase, but there’s also a matching sheet set you can pair with it for a playful pattern-on-pattern look. This print even comes in two other colors (blue and green) in case she wants to match with her new roomie.
06
Nautica Longpoint Reversible Comforter Set
Wayfair
$62.74
Stripes are a classic print and always read a bit sophisticated, so it’ll make your college-bound freshman feel like the fledging adult they are. This coastal-inspired collection from Nautica comes with a twin XL comforter (that’s also reversible!) and a standard sham. The good news? A set this versatile can pair with any color sheets, so snag a few twin XL sets in gray, navy, and white.
07
Windward Stripe Reversible Quilt
West Elm
$234.50
Pottery Barn Teen is a great place to shop for sophisticated dorm room bedding and accessories, and this pinstripe quilt is the perfect example of that. Instead of a fluffy, plush comforter, this quilt is thin and dense, adding warmth to their bed without much bulk. Available in five handsome color combinations, this set comes with the quilt and standard sham and pairs beautifully with any of Pottery Barn’s twin XL sheet sets.
08
Bedsure Boho Comforter Set
Amazon
$39.99
For the college student who favors texture over pattern, there’s this nubby comforter set from Bedsure. The boho collection—which comes with a comforter and pillow sham—features a subtle pattern made from elegant embroidered tufts for a free-spirited yet sophisticated look. Choose from a range of gender-neutral colors, like navy, hunter green, terracotta, and gray.
09
DormCo Ultimate Dorm Bedding Bundle
Wayfair
$206.99
Nothing will set your freshman up for success (and ease your pre-college load) better than this comprehensive bedding set from DormCo. Not only does it include quality basics like a thick pin tuck comforter and cozy microfiber sheets, but it also includes extras like a mattress pad and an egg crate topper that are rarely seen in other bed-in-a-bag sets.
10
Washed Linen Hardcore Sheet Bundle
Brooklinen
$697.00
Linen has a reputation as a summer material, but it’s actually a great option for an unpredictable environment like a college dorm. Not only is it lightweight and breathable, but it can easily be warmed up with an extra blanket or quilt. This Brooklinen collection comes in a selection of better-than-neutral shades, with a fitted sheet, flat sheet, duvet cover, and four pillowcases included in each set.
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