Going off to college is one of life’s most exciting and nerve-wracking experiences. Sure, there are unknowns ahead, but one thing is certain: You’ll need the best dorm room essentials to get you through each semester. So, to make life easier, we curated a college packing list filled with items students (or parents) can use to spruce up basic dorm rooms.
Since dorm rooms tend to be small, it’s best to opt for items that will save space, like under-the-bed storage containers and desk or window fans. Of course, you’ll also need shower shoes and a great caddy, but you may also want a one-cup coffee maker (how cute is this one?) for those early morning study sessions. A mini fridge is another great thing to have on hand so you don’t need to run to the dining hall every time you want a snack (but, pro tip: talk to your roommate first, so you can go halfsies on this). While not exactly an essential, if you want to make your life more convenient we also recommend a printer.
Below, we’ve divided everything into categories by room so you won’t forget anything you need becuase move-in day is coming soon enough!
The best dorm room essentials
Living Essentials
There are a few essential items for daily living that are crucial to have in your dorm room. After laundry, you can hang up your clean clothes on velvet-lined hangers (which will keep your clothes from slipping off). You also can’t go wrong with a handy-dandy steamer (The Conair is so easy to use) on class presentation days. We also suggest investing in a good printer so you don’t have to constantly trek to the campus library and an alarm clock that doubles as a charging station to power up your wireless earbuds, smartwatch, and cell phone all at once.
Bed Essentials
A good night’s sleep is imperative if you’re going to wake up for that super-early lecture. A comfy mattress pad, cooling bed sheets, and memory foam pillows should help you fall asleep quickly. You can also deck out your twin bed with a cute duvet set from LoveShackFancy, and ultra-smooth satin pillowcases to make your space feel more like home.
Bathroom Essentials
Whether your dorm room has a private shower or a communal bathroom, you’ll need to stock up on towels, like Urban Outfitter’s happy bath towel and washcloth set, and a cute pair of shower shoes (make sure they have holes to drain the water, like our trusty Crcos slides below). If you want to add a bit more pizzazz to the bathroom, go for an elevated shower caddy, (the UUjoly basket comes with a smooth wooden handle), which can carry quite a few products.
Storage Essentials
No matter how unorganized you are, storage containers can help. They offer a designated spot for everything, and the under-the-bed storage bins are super clutch for storing seasonal clothing and items. You can also add a hanging shoe shelf in your closet to make the most of your limited space, and a rolling cart is perfect for tossing in your shower care or school supplies. The pink cart below has three tiers and can hold up to 22 lbs.
Cleaning Essentials
Clean up all those chips you spilled on the floor, and keep dust and dirt at bay with a handy Swiffer PowerMop, Clorox disinfectant wipes, and a handheld vacuum. For laundry days, you’ll need a basket, preferably one with wheels or straps, so you don’t have to drag it around, and you easily pop some Tide Pods into the front pocket of the laundry bag.
Decor Essentials
Make your dorm room your own with cute decorations, like string lights from Amazon or a custom neon name sign from Etsy. We love the checkerboard woven shag rug — you can place it right by bed to brighten up the space. The corkboard tiles will also capture the attention of anyone who enters your room. Some dorm rooms don’t come with mirrors, so look for a slim over-the-door version or one you can secure to a wall. The Whitebeach mirror hangs over any door, making it easy to do full-body ‘fit checks whenever needed. An inflatable glitter chair, like our choice from AirCandy, is excellent for both lounging and studying. Plus, it’ll look super cute in your room and give friends an extra space to sit.
Kitchen Essentials
You won’t need to depend on the cafeteria if you have these kitchen basics in your room. The reusable Stanley Quencher is a chic alternative to a traditional water bottle jug, and the mini Keurig coffee maker will be useful when you’re rushing out the door to an early morning class. You can store snacks like yogurt, nuts, and other cold foods in a mini fridge and take them with you on the way to class in the Ziploc Endurables. A set of portable utensils will save you from walking all the way to the dining hall to grab some plastic spoons and forks.
Whip up smoothies, dips, soups, and more in the easy-to-use WantJoin Pro-Blender, or you cook a simple homemade meal in the Instant Pot. If you’ve got access to a community kitchen, you can refill your water bottles using the Brita water dispenser, which helps filter out toxic chemicals such as lead, chlorine, and mercury.
School Supplies
Count on some good ol’ school supplies to help you get your studying done. Think tech chargers and a photo cube pen holder (fill it up with selfies of your friends and fam!). You can jot down notes, write manifestations, or set your goals in a daily planner and carry your laptop to class in Urban Outfitters’ adorable puffer laptop sleeve. Also, consider a laptop desk for your lap, like our choice from Amazon, which will come in handy during those late-night cram sessions.
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