This blog post is the ultimate girls guide to college dorm room essentials.
Moving into your college dorm or apartment is super exciting—it’s like your first taste of living on your own, marking the start of a whole new chapter. But let’s be real, it’s also super overwhelming. You move away from all you’ve ever known, are forced to navigate new places, meet new people, and learn to live on your own (or with a roommate).
One of the best things about moving to college is setting up your dorm. It’s a big deal because even though it’s just a “dorm”, for the next eight months, it’s your sanctuary, study space, and social hub all in one. And because it’s your own space it’s easy to want to pack up everything you own and overthink what you’ll need. Trust me when I say you won’t read every book that sits on your bookcase, or wear the sweater you haven’t worn in 3 years. You also won’t need 20 different foam hand soaps from Bath and Body Works just because there’s a sale (guilty).
Coming from someone who used to be a serial over-packer, who’s done the dorm life, and who even had to figure out not to take her whole life with her when living out of a suitcase for 3 months to travel around the world, I’m positive I’ve mastered what’s truly essential. Now, I’m here to share the must-have dorm room items you’ll need for college.
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THE ULTIMATE GIRLS GUIDE TO COLLEGE DORM ESSENTIALS
From bedroom basics to bathroom necessities, cleaning supplies, and kitchen essentials, keep reading to discover everything you need for your first year of college.
BEDROOM BASICS
PILLOWS
Pillows are a must-have for a good night’s sleep in your dorm. Since you’re given a twin-size bed you could get away with just one pillow, but two should fit perfectly fine if you like the extra comfort. If you’re a hot sleeper, consider opting for cooling pillows because I find dorm rooms can get quite warm.
BED SHEET SET + COMFORTER
You only need one sheet set and one comforter. I know you might think you need two, but you’ll end up not using the second one, and it’ll just take up your already limited storage space. For the best options, check out Target! They have quality comforters and sheet sets at affordable prices.
MATTRESS TOPPER
A mattress topper is life-changing, at least for me it was because it adds an extra cushioning layer to make your dorm bed way more comfortable. Sleep is essential for academic success, and a mattress topper reduces the discomfort of standard dorm mattresses so you can get a full night’s rest.
FAN
Bringing a fan might be the best decision you’ll ever make, especially if you’re like me and tend to sleep hot. Some dorms don’t let you adjust the temperature, and even when you can, there’s usually a limit on how cool it can get.
GARBAGE CAN
Garbage cans are crucial for keeping your dorm room tidy and having a dedicated spot to toss trash. It’s practical for daily use and helps keep clean. Before buying one, check if your dorm already provides one—my dorm came equipped with one. This saves you a bit of cash for other essentials.
SCHOOL + DESK SUPPLIES
CALENDAR / AGENDA
Having an agenda or calendar is CRUCIAL for staying organized in college. With classes, exams, and due dates coming from all directions, having a clear view of your day, week, and month ahead is crucial. Whether you prefer a physical planner or a digital calendar, it does not matter, having something to give you a clear overview of your schedule is key to staying on track and managing your time effectively.
For those who love pen and paper and prefer a physical planner, I highly recommend purchasing one from Erin Condren or The Dailee by Sophia Lee.
For virtual calendars I HIGHLY recommend Google calendars. I plan my whole life on there, and I’m obsessed with being able to time block and colour code everything.
STICKY NOTES
I am obsessed with sticky notes. They’re the best for making extra notes when you lack space, jotting down quick reminders, annotating textbooks and study notes, creating study aids, making to-do lists, and SO MUCH MORE.
NOTE TAKING ESSENTIALS
- PENS
- PENCILS
- PAPER / NOTEBOOKS
- HIGHLIGHTERS
These are the basics you’ll need for taking lecture notes or creating study notes. Personally, I found it effective to jot down everything during class, then later organize it neatly in my dorm—whether by hand or on my laptop.
BACKPACK
A backpack is pretty self-explanatory, its purpose is transporting your item to and from class, or between classes. You won’t need anything huge, just something large enough to fit your laptop/ipad, whatever you need for note-taking, water and snacks!
CLOSET + STORAGE ESSENTIALS
HANGERS / MULTI-HANGERS / HANGING SHELVES
Hangers, multi-hangers, and hanging shelves are essential for your college dorm because they maximize your closet space and keep your clothes organized. With limited storage, these items help you store more clothes efficiently
LAUNDRY HAMPER (LAUNDRY BASKET)
Laundry hampers are essential because it’s the designated place for your dirty clothes. If you can, I highly recommend opting for a rolling laundry hamper because rolling your laundry along instead of having to carry it to and from the laundry room will make your life so much easier.
HANGING MIRROR
You NEED to purchase a hanging mirror for your dorm, they’re practical for getting ready and adding a decorative touch to your room. When choosing a mirror for your dorm, choose a hanging mirror over a standing mirror to prevent taking up your already limited floor space.
OVER THE DOOR (OR CLOSET) HOOKS
Over-the-door hooks are a great way to maximize the space in your dorm. They’re perfect for hanging your bags, towels, hoodies, and coats. It’s a practical solution to finding more space to store your belongings.
TIERED ROLLING CART
Tiered rolling carts are perfect for dorms because they offer versatile storage space. It’s perfect for organizing snacks, school supplies, toiletries, or even kitchen essentials.
UNDER BED STORAGE
Under bed storage is essential for college because it maximizes limited space in dorm rooms. It’s perfect for storing extra clothes, shoes, or seasonal items out of sight and keeping your room organized and clutter-free.
ELECTRONICS
COMPUTER / LAPTOP / IPAD
Bringing a computer, laptop or iPad to college is a total must-have! From taking notes in class to writing papers, watching Netflix, and procrastinating on social media, it’s your all-in-one essential for surviving college life.
PORTABLE EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE / USB STICK
Purchasing a portable external hard drive or USB stick will save your life. I know it may seem unnecessary, until your computer crashes or breaks down and you lose all the assignments and projects you’ve put your life into. It’s a safety net for storing and backing up anything important.
POWER BAR STRIP
You definitely need a power bar for college. Dorm rooms never have enough outlets, so a power bar keeps all your gadgets charged up. There’s usually a policy on the type of power bar your school allows, so don’t forget to make sure of that before purchasing.
HEADPHONES
Bringing headphones to college is a must, trust me. They’re a lifesaver in crowded dorms or during late-night study sessions when you don’t want to disturb your roommate. Plus, they’re perfect for tuning out distractions and staying focused.
KINDLE
Fellow book lovers, trust me on this: BRING A KINDLE. It’s a game-changer and I’ve been obsessed with mine ever since. Physical books take up so much space, where you could store hundreds and thousands of books on your Kindle and the most space it will take up is a slot in your backpack. The Kindle Scribe even lets you take notes, perfect for lectures!
BATHROOM BASICS
SEVERAL TOWELS
Bring several towels so you’re not using the same one daily. Having a few means you’re always covered just in case you ruin one, or laundry day gets delayed.
BATHROBE / TOWEL WRAP + HAIR WRAP
- Bathrobe / Towel Wrap: Having a bathrobe or towel wrap is a game-changer, especially with communal bathrooms. It makes the trip between the bathroom and your dorm room so much easier and comforting. No more worrying about your towel falling.
- Hair Wrap: Mornings in college can be so rushed and hectic. A hair wrap stays in place to help dry your hair while you multitask, whether it be getting ready or cramming in a last minute study session.
SHOWER CADDY
Shower caddies are the best for transporting necessities to and from the bathroom. It keeps all your toiletries together and makes it easy to carry them to and from the shower without forgetting anything.
SHOWER SHOES
Shower shoes are essential, an absolute must for those in communal bathrooms. Trust me when I say you don’t want to risk standing barefoot in those shower stalls.
ESSENTIALS TO INCLUDE IF YOU HAVE A ENSUITE BATHROOM
BATHROOM MAT
A bathroom mat is a must to help dry your feet when getting out of the shower so you don’t slip. Bathroom floors are also COLD, so choose a cozy one.
HAND SOAP
This pretty much speaks for itself, but don’t make the mistake of bringing about 20 like I did. You can find cheap ones from Walmart and Target. Bath and Body Works also has sales consistently which makes them my go to.
AIR FRESHENER
EVERYONE wants a fresh and clean smelling bathroom.
TOILET PAPER
If you have an ensuite, your college most likely won’t be providing toilet paper for you. You can find affordable bulk prices at Costco or Sam’s Club!
TOILET CLEANING SUPPLIES
Not the most glamorous items, but it’s essential. Keep your bathroom fresh and avoid any surprises, they can get a bit funky. You just never know.
BEAUTY + TOILETRIES MUST-HAVES
HAIR CARE
- SHAMPOO
- CONDITIONER
- HAIR BRUSH
- HAIR TOOLS (HAIR DRYER, FLAT IRON, HAIR CURLER, HAIR ELASTICS)
- HAIR PRODUCTS (DRY SHAMPOO, SERUMS)
With the right shampoo and conditioner, you can keep your hair clean and manageable, while a good hair brush and tools ensure you can style it as you like. Dry shampoo is a lifesaver on busy days when you don’t have time to wash and style your hair.
SKIN CARE
Going to college isn’t an excuse to stop maintaining a healthy routine. Keep your skin looking and feeling its best, especially through all the stress and late nights.
BODY CARE
Have all body care essentials to keep feeling fresh and clean even with a busy schedule.
DENTAL CARE
Having good dental hygiene is vital for your health so it’s important to pack all dental essentials.
PERSONAL HYGIENE TOOLS
Always feel fresh and put together by having your personal hygiene supplies on hand to help you stay clean and groomed with minimal fuss.
FEMININE PRODUCTS
Feminine products like tampons and pads are essential for your college dorm because you don’t want to be caught off guard without them. Keep prepared with a personal stash to avoid running to the store last minute.
BEAUTY PRODUCTS
Beauty products aren’t just to help elevate your look but for personal style. They’re your go-to for quick self-care routines that make you feel like yourself, and they come in handy for those impromptu social events or presentations.
HEALTH + WELLNESS ESSENTIALS
BASIC MEDS
Your day-to-day life can be unpredictable, so you never know when a headache, fever, or allergic reaction might occur. Having Tylenol, Advil, Benadryl, and any basic medications on hand means you can quickly and easily manage common ailments.
VITAMINS
College life can be demanding, from long study sessions to irregular eating habits and stress, which can all affect your immune system. Taking vitamins helps fill in some nutritional gaps which can make a big difference in how you feel daily.
FIRST-AID KIT
Having a first aid kit keeps you prepared for any unexpected cuts, scrapes, and emergencies.
KITCHEN BASICS
MINI FRIDGE
A mini fridge was one of my favourite parts of my dorm room. It allowed me to keep groceries on hand and not always rely on eating out or my meal plan (which didn’t always serve the healthiest options from my experience). You also get easy access to snacks and drinks, totally elevating late-night study sessions.
WATER BOTTLE
Staying hydrated is key, especially with all those late-night study sessions and campus adventures, making a reusable water bottle a college dorm MUST HAVE. Also, there are usually water fountains around campus where you can easily refill whenever you need to—super convenient and eco-friendly. I highly recommend an Owala water bottle, I’m obsessed with mine.
BRITA WATER PITCHER
Having a water pitcher is a total game-changer—it saves you from constantly trekking to the water fountain from your dorm room. Super beneficial for those late-night study sessions or when you’re knee-deep in assignments. Plus, it’s a money saver because instead of buying bottled water, which can be expensive over time, a water pitcher allows you to fill up with fountain water and keep it chilled in your fridge.
SNACKS
Having snacks readily available in your dorm room saves time and effort when you need something quick on the go because dorm life can be busy, with classes, study sessions, and extracurricular activities filling up your schedule. It’s also a dorm must-have for a quick energy boost during late-night study sessions.
COFFEE MAKER + MUG
Caffeine will be your best friend. Having a Keurig or Nespresso means the convenience of a personal coffee shop right in your dorm room—perfect for early mornings before classes or late-night study sessions.
PAPER PLATES
Doing dishes in your teeny dorm room is almost impossible. Having paper plates is low maintenance because you can just toss them out when you’re done.
CLEANING SUPPLIES
DISINFECTANT WIPES
Disinfectant wipes are ESSENTIAL for dorm life. It’s always good to give everything a good wipe-down before moving your stuff in because you never know how well the space you’re moving into is cleaned. Dorm life also means sharing spaces with many people, and not everyone’s on the same hygiene page.
HAND VACUUM
Not a lot of people think to bring a little hand vacuum, so this is me telling you it’s a MUST, especially because most dorms have carpet floors.. Think about all the crumbs, dust bunnies, and random stuff that ends up on your floor. With a mini vacuum, you can clean up quick without having to lug up a big vacuum from your dorm’s student service desk.
TRASH CAN + TRASH CAN BAGS
Only bring a trash can if your school doesn’t provide one for you because they usually do. Bags for your trash can are essential to make throwing out the trash easy. Also, just in case you throw anything messy out, you avoid having to maybe wash your trash can out. I love buying the scented ones.
PAPER TOWELS
Paper towels are great to have for any emergency spills, quick clean-ups, and makeshift napkins.
LAUNDRY DETERGENT + DRYER SHEETS
Unless you plan on going home every weekend for laundry duty, laundry detergent is a must-have for doing laundry whenever you please. No one wants to be the person with funky-smelling clothes in the dorm. And dryer sheets? Not exactly a must-have but they’re like a bonus round of freshness.
STEAMER OR DEWRINKLE SPRAY
Having a clothes steamer means no more ironing boards or burnt shirts — just quick, wrinkle-free results. They’re also compact enough to stash in your dorm room without taking up much space. Dewrinkle spray is great to have in a pinch and needs to smooth out a few wrinkles fast.
STAIN REMOVER
Dorm life can get messy, whether it’s late-night pizza runs or coffee mishaps during cram sessions. Having a stain remover on hand means you’re ready to tackle any spills or stains ASAP.
ALL PURPOSE CLEANER
All-purpose cleaner is versatile and can handle most cleaning tasks—bathroom countertops, desks, spills, you name it, making it perfect for dorm life.
MISCELLANEOUS
UMBRELLA
Sounds unnecessary until it’s pouring rain outside and you have to walk to class on the other side of campus.
CARRY ON LUGGAGE
A carry-on luggage is just so convenient to have when you’re away at college. You can use it to help with the move to college, and it’s so compact that you can easily store it under your bed. It’s also perfect to have for when you decide to go home for the weekend, holidays, or reading week. I own a Beis luggage and to say I’m obsessed is an understatement.
BEDROOM SAFE
I highly recommend purchasing a small bedroom safe for your peace of mind. Keep any extra cash, important documents, or valuable jewelry you opt not to wear today secure when you’re away from your dorm. You’ll feel much more relaxed knowing your valuables are locked down. It’s a smart move if you’re assigned a dorm with a roommate.