The Best Dorm Bedding Sets for College

Don't sleep on these dreamy deals and outfit your dorm bed to perfection.

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July 08, 2022

Let's face it: When it comes between hitting the snooze button for "10 more minutes!" or waking up in time to make the bed before class, a college freshman is going to choose extra shut-eye every time. Just because you will, inevitably, leave your bed unmade, that doesn't mean you should skimp on your college dorm bedding.

Choosing the Best Dorm Bedding

So, what do you need to set the scene for restful sleep in your dorm room? Think beyond the sheets and include mattress pads, bed skirts and down-alternative duvet inserts on your shopping list. A throw at your toes adds a cozy touch, and a reversible comforter will be your best friend when you spill your coffee in bed at 2 a.m.

Coffee stains in mind, it's easy to see the importance of outfitting your bed with durable, machine-washable materials. Cotton and microfiber are popular picks, and if you can throw bleach on them, that's even better.

Perhaps the most important takeaway from our crash course on college bedding is that size matters. Most college dorms come with elongated twin beds to accommodate taller students and, as such, require twin XL bedding for a seamless fit. (Twin XL sheets measure 39-by-80 inches.)

Outfit your dorm room with our picks for the best college bedding in the links below.

This natural cotton duvet cover features a simple retro design in shades of orange and brown by Society6 creator Circa 78 Designs. The lightweight cotton is breathable and keeps you cool in the summer and toasty in the winter. Plus, it gets softer after each wash (so don’t hesitate to actually wash it).

Buy It
$9.50

Sleep comes easy when you stay under budget on your back-to-school shopping. This three-piece sheet set comes in nine trendy prints and rings in under 10 bucks. Yes, really. Do yourself a favor and snag multiple sets so you always have a clean set on hand between laundry days.

Buy It

Just like the retro cutie above, this natural 100-percent cotton comforter is lightweight, breathable and gets softer with every wash. We’re obsessed with fun, retro patterns, like this golden daisy print by Society6 creator colour poems.

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$32.99 $28

Budget-friendly and beloved? The Bare Home Twin XL Sheet Set checks out on both accounts. The hypoallergenic microfiber set has more than 39,000 rave reviews on Amazon and comes in 27 colors to fit any dorm room aesthetic you have in mind. Each set includes one standard pillowcase, one fitted sheet and one flat sheet. The sheets are made from wrinkle-resistant brushed microfiber for unmatched softness and long-lasting comfort.

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Nap between study sessions with this dreamy cloud comforter and sham set from Pottery Barn Teen. The 100-percent organic cotton set is reversible, boasting a subtle line motif on one side and a solid hue on the other. Each Twin XL kit includes a single sham and a plush comforter filled with 100-percent polyester and 40-percent REPREVE® polyester that’s derived from recycled plastic water bottles. Scoop up the comforter set in a classic navy, heather gray or a stone white hue to best suit your dorm design.

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Add free-spirited style to your freshman digs with this chambray tassel duvet bundle. The crisp three-piece set comes in black and white or periwinkle blue and includes a duvet cover, standard sham and organic sheets.

Buy It
$20

Looking for bedding that requires as little maintenance as possible? This duvet and sham set literally has “easy-care” in its name. Plus, at $20 a pop, you can afford to buy two and rotate between laundry days. The lightweight cotton-blend set comes with a single Twin XL duvet cover and a matching standard sham. The set is available in eight eye-catching hues, including navy, gray, light green and pink.

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Set the stage for rejuvenating slumber with this organic cotton bedding insert set. The bundle comes with a down-alternative-filled duvet insert and a single pillow insert. Each piece comes filled and fluffy, with shells crafted from 300-thread-count organic cotton. Pair with a duvet of your choice or use it solo for a pared-down and plush look.

Buy It
$39.99

Cut your dorm shopping list and spending in half with this budget-friendly bed-in-a-bag comforter set. The five-piece bundle includes a twin XL comforter, flat sheet, fitted sheet, sham and pillowcase in your choice of 18 unique patterns. Our favorite part? This bundle is also available for purchase in a set of four so you can create a cohesive, coordinated look with your roommates.

Buy It
$45.99

Make use of under-the-bed storage without adding visual clutter to your space with this handy dorm bed skirt. The genius design is crafted specifically for twin XL beds and comes in a variety of colors and lengths to suit your needs. Plus, we love that these bed skirts are machine-washable and will look fresh throughout your fall and spring semesters.

Buy It
$35.99 $30

Put down the sheets and step away from the duvet. Don’t even think about making that bed without a proper mattress cover in place. This machine-washable option is our top pick because it combines coziness with cleanliness. It even has more than 18,000 positive reviews on Amazon. The cushioned mattress cover is a pull-on, an elasticized style that molds to the bed for a tidy look. Oh, and it rings in under $30!

Buy It
$249 $199

Skip the back-to-school crowds and have your dorm bedding (and everything else you need) delivered to your doorstep with this 27-piece set. The expansive set includes bedding essentials like a reversible comforter, two microfiber sheet sets, two machine-washable pillows, a fleece throw and a microplush blanket. Even better? Each set also comes with a quilted mattress pad, memory foam topper and a slew of other dorm essentials like bath towels, under-bed storage bags, a clip lamp and more.

Buy It
$28.99

Knock out your dorm bedding shopping with this top-rated set from Amazon. The duvet cover and pillow sham set boasts 40,000 customer reviews and a 4.5-star global rating, so you can feel confident treating yourself. Grab the pre-washed microfiber bedding in your pick of 11 eye-catching colors, including olive green, navy, teal or powder pink.

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This diamond-stitched quilt is a must-have for anyone who craves luxurious texture and kicky colors in their dorm room design. The chic set includes a dazzling emerald quilt and pillow sham. Best part? Each bundle is machine washable for stress-free cleaning.

Buy It

The three-piece set includes all your dorm bedding essentials: twin XL sheets, a twin XL comforter and a standard sham. Bonus: The faded navy color story and horizontal stripes are versatile and lay the groundwork for a streamlined, modern dorm room design.

Buy It

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