So you’ve graduated from high school, and summer is coming to a close. That can only mean one thing: it’s time to head off to college. There are plenty of things to prep before you go, so we’ve made it a bit easier on you: you don’t have to worry about what to get for your dorm room. We’ve built your shopping list for you! Now’s the time to have a bit of fun: go on the shopping spree that’s actually practical. You’re setting yourself up for the first stage of adult life, and you’re going to need all kinds of stuff, from storage to décor to the practical study tools that will get you through the next four years with flying colors. You’ll create a dorm room that is cozy, homey, and exactly where you want to be for the next year. Plus it will probably win you a few cool points. Let’s go shopping!
Make Meal Planning Easy
College is definitely a time when eating habits tend to change. Maybe you have a meal plan, but if you’re fending for yourself you’re going to need some help figuring out how to keep yourself fed. Grab this erasable meal planner that will stick to your mini-fridge and let you prep your meals in advance.
This Caddy Keeps All Your Supplies Organized
Keeping all your stuff organized is one of the true challenges of being a student but it doesn’t have to be. This caddy is great for art materials or study materials. I like to use it to keep all my pens and notebooks in one place.
Channel a Classic Style
If you have anything metal in your room, you’re going to love having these push pin magnets. They’ll hold just about anything and give a cute, classic vibe to your space.
This Shower Caddy Is Perfect for Communal Living
Most dorms have shared showers, which means you need an easy way to bring all your shower items with you. This shower caddy has tons of space and hangs up easily so everything is right at hand, from shampoo to soap to face cleanser.
It’s Always a Good Idea to Have a First Aid Kit On Hand
This might seem like the most boring thing to bring to college, but it’s definitely a good idea. Make sure you have a first aid kit on hand in case of scrapes, burns, or other small injuries. It’s the first step to being an adult.
Add More Storage Space
Dorm rooms are not famous for being spacious, so it’s a good idea to have a lot of strategies for good storage. Use this over-the-door storage to optimize your space and easily organize everything from purses to shoes.
Add a Touch of Elegance
I love this method of organizing and adding some personality all in one. This vanity tray has a beautiful marbled pattern that screams “I have amazing taste” and gives you a place to keep your accessories.
The Anything Keeper Adds a Drawer to Your Desk
If your dorm room comes with a desk, it may not have a ton of drawer space. Grab this anything holder, which attaches to the bottom of a desk and gives you an extra drawer. It’s perfect for pens, post-it notes, and all the other small items you want right at hand.
You’ll Never Be Cozier Than With This Burrito Blanket
Here’s the thing: I’m pretty sure that every human needs a burrito blanket. Now is just a good excuse to buy one. Plus few things will tell everyone who enters your room “this is who I am” as well as a giant burrito blanket.
This GhostPillow Is Not Too Soft, Not Too Hard, But Just Right
This pillow is the Goldilocks of pillows because it’s adjustable! You can choose how much or how little shredded memory foam goes in it, making it the perfect pillow for sleepers of all types. It’s made with CertiPUR-US certified materials including gel memory foam, Visco foam, and microfiber gel clusters. The continuous airflow also helps me stay cool at night. I love it!
This Mattress Topper Makes Me Sleep Like A Baby
Look how squishy this mattress topper is, look at it! It’s 3 inches of heaven made with high-quality CertiPUR-US certified cooling gel memory foam. It even comes with a waterproof cotton cover to protect it! This Twin XL size is perfect for your kid’s college dorm. But don’t worry, they also come in the standard Twin size for your younger kiddos and bigger sizes for you too!
Share Your Personality
Even though you’re heading out on your own, you don’t want to leave home behind completely. You definitely want to bring some photos of your family and friends. A great way to display them is with this bulletin board photo collage. It has space for tons of photos and you even get a small corkboard for reminders and knickknacks.
Keep It Organized
These are my go-to option when it comes to adding more storage to any space. These bins fold up when I don’t need them, then open to a super spacious size. They come in plenty of colors and look way nicer than anything in plastic.
These Food Containers Are Great for Leftovers or Snacks
No one likes a dorm room without any snacks, so you’ll want to have a healthy number of these little food containers. They’re the perfect size for your parents to fill with goodies when you visit home or to bring to a study session.
Fight Off Dorm Smell
Let’s be real: dorm rooms are not known for smelling the best. Bring this cleansing candle with you to help make sure you have the best smelling room on campus. You’ll love it, and it will make you pretty dang popular.
Use Space under Your Bed as Shoe Storage
These shoe organizers are actually super handy for way more than just shoes. They’re super spacious and can hold all kinds of things, including scarves or jackets. They fit neatly under your bed or in the closet.
This Over-the-Door Towel Rack Looks Super Classy
Need more space in your room? This over-the-door hanger gives me multiple hooks for towels, purses, scarves, and other accessories, and it looks way nicer than the average wire hanger.
Store Mugs Super Efficiently
Hello coffee lover, you’re going to want to have a few coffee mugs on hand in your dorm room, but you don’t want to waste too much precious shelf space. Use these mug stackers to get double the mugs in half the space.
Get More Out of Your Closet Space
If you don’t have a spacious closet (which is more likely than not), invest in some of these space-saving hangers. Each one can hold up to five pairs of pants, shorts, or skirts, and it takes up the same amount of space as a normal hanger.
These Pillows Are So Soft
You may not get to choose your mattress at college, but you do get to bring your own pillow so it’s a good idea to choose one that’s high quality. These pillows are not only plush and soft as can be, but they also feature a cooling gel so you’ve always got the cold side of the pillow.
A Tabletop Trash Can for Minimizing Mess
I adore this tiny trash can. It’s just so dang cute, plus it’s ideal if you’re a tea drinker or use stir sticks in your coffee. It’s also a great way to keep your desk organized and clean.
This Ottoman Offers Seating and Storage
What’s one piece of furniture that can totally change your dorm room but that almost no one uses? An ottoman. This gorgeous velvet option gives you seating and storage, plus adds texture and a pop of color.
Give Yourself More Outlets
There’s no such thing as too many outlets, and especially if you’re sharing a room you’re both likely to have tons of devices to plug in. Give yourself more space with this surge protector that features three outlets and four USB ports.
This Lamp Works Three Ways
Versatility is absolutely the name of the game when it comes to outfitting a dorm room. That’s why I’m all about this lamp: you can use it in three different ways (tabletop, mounted to a table, or on the floor). Plus it comes with a remote so you can turn it off while you’re still in bed.
Add Ambience
Speaking of lights, one way to make your dorm room truly stand out is with some LED lights. This strip has 20 colors, eight modes, and adjustable brightness so you can create any kind of vibe you want in your space.
This Throw Pillow Has an Important Reminder
Trust me, your mom will thank you if you include this throw pillow in your dorm room decor. She may even buy it for you.
Make Your Desk Look Professional
You’ll likely be spending a lot of time at your desk to make sure you get your studying and writing done. Use this desktop organizer to make sure you’re getting the best use of your space and keeping all your papers and tools organized.
This Filtered Water Bottle Is a College Necessity
It’s easy to forget to stay hydrated while on campus if you don’t have a good water bottle with you, either in your dorm room or in your backpack. This filtered bottle is one of my favorites: it won’t ever leak, but flips open easily and it includes a carrying loop.
Fight Moisture
Many dorm buildings are not exactly what you’d call new, so it’s definitely possible you’ll be fighting off some dampness and mustiness in your closet. Take this tip from me: I keep my clothes smelling good by adding this DampRid Hanging Bag, which absorbs moisture so my clothes don’t.
A Mini Fridge Is a Must
No dorm room is complete without a mini fridge. Where else are you supposed to keep your snacks and your beverages? If nothing else, you need some cream for your coffee. This fridge is a super reasonable price but still has great reviews so you know it will work wonderfully.
This Microwave Is Great for Late Night Meals
Few things are as useful in a dorm room as a microwave. This is more or less your kitchen moving forward. Whether you’re making popcorn or heating up water for your ramen, you’ll get great use out of this bad boy.
Never Be without Your Coffee
The easiest way to get constant access to coffee in your dorm room is to invest in this small Keurig coffee maker. It takes up almost no space, works super quickly, and means you don’t have to worry about making too much coffee for just one person. Basically, it’s perfect.
This Steamer Is the Easiest Way to Fight Wrinkles
You’re probably not going to be spending a whole lot of time ironing your clothes at college, but there will probably be some times you want to look a bit nicer. Bring along this steamer as the easiest way to get rid of wrinkles.
This Door Organizer Is like a Full Set of Shelves
Low on space? Not anymore Just use this over-the-door set of shelves and you have basically a whole new bookcase. I personally love the side pockets: they’re great for sunglasses, markers, or makeup brushes.
Keep Your Wifi Steady
If your college campus doesn’t always have the best WiFi, you can fix that problem with this simple WiFi extender. It works with any wireless router, gateway, or cable modem with Wi-Fi, so you can improve the signal and keep things moving quickly.
This Rug Makes Your Space More Homey
One great way to make your space feel like home is to add some warmth. I love to do that with a rug, like this plush pink option. Your feet will love it.
A Laundry Backpack Is the Easiest Way to Carry Your Clothes
Most dorm rooms require you to take your laundry down the hall or even across campus to get to the washer and dryer. One of the best investments you can make is in this laundry backpack that makes it incredibly easy to cart your laundry around.
Don’t Forget to Vacuum
Now that you’re away from your parents you might think that cleaning is a thing of the past, but trust me: you’re going to want to vacuum your room. Snag this handheld vacuum for any spills, dust, or dirt that needs picking up.
This Locking Storage Box Is Ideal for Valuables
Dorm rooms don’t afford a ton of privacy, so if you have any personal or valuable items you’re bringing with you, it’s a smart idea to also bring a lockbox. This one fits neatly under a bed, and you can use it to store anything you want extra safe.