KD Finds: 5 Must-Have Dorm Kitchen Picks

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Maybe you lucked out and you're starting the school year at one of the best colleges in the nation for food. But sometimes even the best dining halls aren't enticing enough to lure you out of your room, especially when you're clawing your way out of piles of textbooks or cramming for exams.

Thankfully your dorm is stocked with staples like ramen, microwave meals and cereal. Moms can breathe a sigh of relief, since you've squirreled away fruit from the cafeteria, too. We're not sure if all the food groups are covered, but at least there's enough sustenance to push you through finals week.

It can be challenging to transform a dorm into a functional living space, especially when you're on a budget and your room is small. Some schools also exercise a strict policy toward appliances, so we'll leave those major purchases up to you. Instead, we've rounded up some unexpected kitchen items that can simplify dorm living. From a clever way to store spices to the brush cleaning set you never knew you needed, these five things can make all the difference when dining in your dorm.

Check out the slideshow above to discover the five things you'll need to turn your dorm into a cozy kitchen.