Top Dorm Room Essentials and Must-Haves for the 2024 College School Year
Congratulations on you or your child’s acceptance to college! Now it’s time to start thinking about what they’ll need for their dorm room. We handpicked all of the dorm room essentials and recommendations for items you’ll need to make move-in-day shopping a breeze. From Bedding to Bath to Storage to Kitchen and Office Supplies our essentials list will help get you started. We also created a printable, more detailed Checklist HERE. Check it out and Print as a guide on your journey to creating the best dorm room ever!
1. Bedding
For the most part dorm room beds are Twin XL and there are lots of ways to purchase bedding from separate sheet sets, pillows, comforters, mattress toppers, protectors, egg crates, etc to partial or full bundles. Surprisingly, most bundles turn out to be around the same price as buying individual pieces, so that is how we suggest purchasing your bedding. Check out our list of individual items to various bundles below, but be sure to browse around Amazon for all of your options.
This 19-Piece Bundle includes 1 Comforter, 2 Flat Sheets, 2 Fitted Sheets, 2 Pillowcases, 1 Mattress Pad, 1 Mattress Topper, 6-Piece Bath Set, 1 Laundry Bag, 2 Bed Pillows and 1 Bed Blanket. Comes in 20 different color options.
This Twin XL Sheet Set includes 1 fitted sheet, 1 flat sheet and one pillow case and comes in 45 different colors so your sure to find a color that will fit with all of your dorm room decor. We suggest buying 2 sheet sets or a bundle and then one extra sheet set to account for busy laundry days.
Additional Bedding items to consider if buying separately are Pillows, Comforter, Mattress Topper, Mattress Pad and Encasement.
2. Shower/Bath
Must-Have Shower/Bath items include a Shower Caddy, Shower Shoes, a Towel and a Robe.
A Portable Mesh Shower Caddy is Essential for carrying all of your shower items if your dorm has a community bathroom. This Shower Caddy has 8-Pocket Large Capacity for all of your shower needs. It dries quickly and cleans up easily.
These Shower Shoes have Arch Support and are Quick Drying and Lightweight. They are available in 8 colors.
- Shower Shoes protect your feet from germs.
- Prevent slips and falls.
- Keep your feet clean.
- Make you feel more comfortable.
- To comply with dorm rules. Many dorms have rules that require students to wear shower shoes in the community showers.
This luxurious Women’s ultra-absorbent microfiber body wrap robe with Pockets and a Facial Headband comes in 4 different sizes and 20 colors to choose from. It has a strong adjustable closure. Also, check out these Hair Wrap Towels!
If you’re not buying a bundle you’ll want to pick up a set of towels. This 6 Piece Towel Set is 100% Turkish Cotton and is Soft and Absorbent and incudes 2 Bath Towels, 2 Hand Towels and 2 Washcloths. Available in 18 Colors.
3. Laundry
Doing laundry in a dorm can be a challenge, but it’s important to stay on top of it. A laundry hamper, laundry bag/backpack and detergent and dryer sheets are essential for keeping your clothes clean and fresh. You may also want to invest in a Drying Rack or air freshener to help keep your dorm room smelling fresh.
Here are some additional tips for doing laundry in your dorm:
- Wash your clothes as soon as they’re dirty. This will help prevent stains and odors from setting in.
- Sort your laundry by color and fabric type. This will help ensure that your clothes get clean and don’t bleed onto each other.
- Use the right amount of detergent. Too much detergent can leave your clothes feeling stiff and dingy.
- Don’t overload the washer or dryer. This can prevent your clothes from getting clean and can also damage appliances.
- Check your clothes for lint and fuzz before you put them away. This will help prevent your clothes from getting caught on each other and pilling.
I hope these tips help you make laundry day a little bit easier! Here are a few must-have products.
The first essential laundry item is a hamper. You’ll want something fun and stylish that fits the decor of your dorm room. This hamper is a great find and meets those qualifications. It is made of Collapsible Fabric and has Padded Handles. Choose from 9 different colors.
Another great option is a Backpack Laundry Bag either for transporting to the Laundromat or back home for you to do your laundry (not Mom!) Choose from 11 different colors/styles.
Check out these Miracle Laundry Detergent Sheets! They are Pre-Cut and Pre-Measured, gentle on your skin and hypoallergenic, toxic-free and all natural, zero plastic and biodegradable and work in all machines (including HE). Just throw a sheet in along with your clothes and wash as normal. Buy 2 boxes Get 1 Free! Free shipping in the US.
4. Storage/Organization
Moving into a dorm room can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to storage and organization. After all, you’re going to be spending a lot of time in this small space, so it’s important to make the most of it.
A few tips to get you organized are to Use vertical space and Use under-bed space. Dorm rooms are small, so it’s important to make wise use of available space. This could mean hanging baskets from the walls, using over-the-door shoe racks, or stacking storage bins on top of each other.
With a little planning and effort, you can easily organize your dorm room and make the most of your limited space. By following these tips and using the product suggestions above, you can create a functional and stylish space that you’ll love spending time in. If needed, ask your roommate or RA for help.
This 6 Shelf Over The Door Organizer will provide a ton of storage and can hang either in front or back of a closet door. Just make sure what the door configuration is in your dorm room. Some have sliding doors instead and these might not work. It will also split into 2 shorter organizers if needed. Maximize space and organize everything effectively. Comes in Black or Grey.
You’ll need an Over the Door Shoe Organizer, as well to keep clutter off of valuable floor space in your dorm room. This one has deep pockets and comes in Grey, Black and White but there are a ton of different options on Amazon.
Here are a couple of great storage options including Closet Organizers/Totes and Under Bed Storage. Some have wheels. The best ones have transparent windows and these are all available in multiple quantities and colors to choose from. Just check the sizes and how much space you have.
Check out this Bedside Charging Storage Drawer Organizer/Nightstand Cart on Wheels. This one has 3 Fabric Drawers, 1 Outlet & 2 USB Ports for charging your laptop, tablet or phone. Fits great in small spaces. Comes in quite a few colors and configurations for any individual look or need.
5. Kitchen Items
Eating out can be expensive, especially if you do it often. Having a fridge/freezer and microwave in your dorm room can help you save money by allowing you to cook and store your own meals. Even if you have a meal plan it is likely that you’ll be making your own meals on the weekends or making your own breakfast each morning before running off to class.
For Kitchen and Food related items in your dorm room it is especially important to check with your individual Residence Hall rules regarding size and wattage especially as it pertains to a refrigerator or microwave. For example at Texas A&M University the fridge needs to be no larger than 4.4 cubic feet and a microwave may not exceed an FCC rating of 700 watts. Also, check if there are specific appliances that may NOT be allowed in your dorm room.
Check out this Combo freezer and refrigerator with a double-door design. Has 5 Temperature Settings and available in either Black or Stainless Steel. It is 4.0 cubic feet so will work within most dorm rules regarding size.
Here’s a nice Stainless Steel Digital Microwave Oven with a Turntable and Push-Button Door. It is 700W and 0.7 Cu.ft so a perfect size and wattage for your dorm room.
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