It is yet another back-to-school season and with it, the hunt for cheap dorm bedding. Let’s be honest, nobody likes scratchy bed sheets and pillows that flatten after two weeks — so why are we still letting our kids start a new phase of their life with these? Take it from a bedding tester: it's possible to create a home-like feel on your dorm bed – and maybe make it feel even better than home – without spending a fortune.
Yes, I hear you — investing in one of the best mattresses of 2025 for a dorm can be impractical, but there are other ways to look at this. You can instead focus on dressing up your bed in quality bed sheets, mattress protectors and adding in a comfy yet supportive pillow.
Looking for products to help with your (or your child’s) insomnia, nighttime anxiety or other sleep issues? Explore our back to school mattress and sleep deals where we track top discounts, viral products and more, and bear in mind that the Labor Day mattress sales should bring some worthwhile savings on all manner of sleep products. But first, here are my top tips to curate a restful and luxurious sleep this new academic year…
How to give your dorm room a home-like feel
1. Never skip on a waterproof mattress protector
First things first: sleep hygiene. Something you'll have to get to grips with fast when you get to college is keeping your bedding clean, so you can sleep without having to worry about bed bugs, dirt or other any other common allergens.
Cleaning your mattress might not make it your list of exciting things to do in college so consider a protector as a blessing. When you get one, opt for a waterproof mattress protector because no one is immune from life's mishaps, and this is an easy way to safeguard your bed from spills, sweat and stains.
This is optional, but if what you need is something to help make your hard dorm bed more comfortable, go for one of the best mattress toppers. A protector has a completely different function, so you cannot expect either of these products to multi-task.
2. Pick breathable and chic sheets
Finding the right sheets are easier than you think. The key is to go for a simple cotton set. Why you ask? Cotton is soft to the touch, breathable, naturally moisture-wicking and suitable for all seasons. In fact, opting for organic bedding materials is the secret to have a cool and refreshing sleep throughout the year.
Plus fabrics like Tencel-Lyocell is not only temperature-regulating but also hypoallergenic, which can keep away common allergens which can otherwise cause skin irritations or respiratory issues which can lead to sleep disruptions.
3. Opt for a plush yet supportive pillow
Choose cheap, easily-flattened pillows and you could soon find yourself developing a neck pain (it's never random!). Instead, pick a pillow featuring a simply no-fuss design, offering the right comfort and support for all sleeping positions.
Quantity over quality — instead of stacking up pillows, a single good-quality option will do the trick of letting you drift into a peaceful slumber.
Still confused? You can always refer to our article on how to choose the right pillow for your sleeping position, to make things easier. Consider the below budget-friendly option which serves as a great alternative to premium hotel-pillows:
4. Add a weighted blanket
Studies show that a weighted blanket can reduce symptoms of insomnia, anxiety and stress. It is also a smart way of enhancing the comfort of your bed since it gives you full-body pressure relief — like a large soothing hug.
Always make sure you opt for the right weight option — 10% of your total body weight. The best weighted blankets include something for everyone in terms of comfort, breathability and warmth. If your priority is breathability, choose open-knit designs or specialised cooling blankets. Here's one you should consider:
5. A sleep eye mask as a final touch
Light exposure is known to significantly impact our sleep quality. Bright light suppresses melatonin (the sleepy hormone) production, which in turn delays the onset of sleep. No matter how tired you are, your brain gets tricked into thinking that you need to be awake and active.
One way to solve this to invest in a simple light-blocking eye mask. This can ensure you get the recommended hours of rest, without being cruelly woken up by a roommate with an annoying habit of turning on the lights at odd hours, or a flickering street lamp over which you have no direct control.
