This post will go over all of the dorm room essentials any freshman will need for their dorm room.
Moving into college can get scary but let’s be honest the best part is decorating your own space! Now let’s not waste any more time and get into it.
This guide will have dorm room essentials so you can spend all of your other time actually decorating your room!
Ultimate List Of Dorm Room Essentials All-Freshman Need
1. 4in Twin Mattress Topper
You will be spending hours in your dorm room, either sleeping or watching movies.
Your dorm bed will feel like a bed of rocks without a mattress topper. The only negative aspect of this dorm essential is the cost. Most of them range from $100 to about $300, but the last thing you want after moving away from home is a bad mattress.
2. Hand-held Vacuum
You will have no room in your dorm room. Meaning, even a broom is taking up too much space.
A hand-held vacuum can be put in a drawer or in your closet (hidden away). You will need a cleaning device because you will come back to your dorm room at 3 am with a bunch of snacks and your rule of ‘no eating in my bed’ goes straight out the door.
I recommend this vacuum cleaner from Amazon, which you can find below. It is rechargeable, cordless, and even comes in a matchable.
Free Dorm Room Checklist
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3. Extension Cord and Power Strip
Power strips and extension cords saved my life in college. Likewise, in most college dorm rooms or at least ones at my school, you will only have a few outlets (most likely two). This means you will need to keep switching out your chargers to charge your phone, computer, Tv, etc.
It gets very annoying and wastes so much time, especially if you have friends over.
4. MY FAVORITE BACKPACK!
I use this backpack right now for college and I LOVE IT!
I bought mine about 3 years ago and it has no tears or stains. This bookbag has gone through the rain, road trips, and school, and if it were to break tomorrow – I’m rebuying it. It is currently listed on Amazon for $99 and below is a review I found on it.
“My niece is a freshman in college and has used this backpack for 4 years and it is still holding up well. No tears or holes. When my middle school daughter’s other backpack broke after only 3 weeks into the school year, I told her to research a sturdy backpack. The research leads her to The North Face Borealis School Laptop Backpack. ” – Amazon Review.
5. Storage Ottoman
Storage ottomans are a must-have for the dorm room.
You can store so many items in them and your friends can use it to sit on.
6. Bed Sheets
Do not buy expensive sheets.
I had a friend throw up on mine after a night out (so you have been warned lol).
The ones linked above come in many colors for a relatively cheap price!
Best Dorm Room Kitchen Essentials
7. Fridge & Freezer
My first kitchen dorm essential is this AMAZING Fridge.
I spent hours in my dorm room and without a fridge keeping my Tupperware meals cold, I would have gained so much weight.
Having a fridge is also great for your dorm room because you can share it with your roommate and have food when you are sick.
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8. Mini Fridge Caddy
When you buy your fridge, don’t forget about this caddy!
It goes directly on top of your fridge and you can put the contaminants next to it. I have even seen people put a microwave on top of this fridge caddy. Keeps everything organized!
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9. Storage Cart
As you saw from the picture above, these carts can store a lot.
Many students use this for their snacks and ramen packages but you can also use these for books or clothes!
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10. Mini Keurig Coffee Machine
I would not survive college if not for caffeine. I currently live in the sorority house and thankfully we have the larger Keurig machine but this is the perfect size for a dorm room!
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11. Microwave
As my dad said, Ramen meals are in your near future.
This microwave can be plugged directly into the wall and easily cook your meals in your dorm room.
NOTE FROM FOUNDER: We also included the pasta cooker that students are using to make in the microwave! You can find it on #12.
12. Water Filter
Your dorm building will not have tasty water and honestly, you should trust it.
This water filter filters out the bad stuff and leaves you with clean water.
13. Dorm Kitchen Tableware
I recommend not bringing glass plates or cups but if you decide to bring actual tableware, these are the best choice.
NOTE FROM FOUNDER You only need silverware and a few cups. I highly recommend not bringing a whole set like the ones above.
14. Cheap Silverware
Silverware is a must-have if you plan on doing meal prep or just having a late-night snack. I have included links straight to my favorites below.
Metal silverware can be found here.
Plastic silverware can be found here.
15. Small Blender
My friend currently has this in her dorm room and she won’t stop talking about it.
This blender is cup sized and can make smoothies on the go. Keep your frozen fruit in the freezer (the fridge I included above has a freezer) and then have a smoothie on the way to class.
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16. Tupperware
If you are going to college, BUY TUPPERWARE!
These have saved me so much time. I would meal prep at the start of the week and had nutritious meals for the whole week.
You can even use these for just late-night stacks that can be stored in your fridge.
17. Reusable Mugs
These are my favorite cups on the market right now. I recently went and bought a second one at Target but I have included a link above if you do not want to drive.
They come in so many colors and are leak-proof.
Many students also love the brand Hydroflask due to their leak-proof abilities and they’re basically indestructible.
18. Pasta Cooker
I sadly did not hear about this my freshman year but my friends keep telling me about it.
You use this container with your pasta inside and then put it in the microwave. Tada your pasta is fully cooked!
19. Ziplock Bags
I included Ziplock bags in this post because I fully believe they are essential.
I used them all the time in my first year of college. If I had snacks left over, a ziplock bag. If I had a part of a meal left and didn’t clean the Tupperware, I would grab a Ziplock bag.
To save you time I have included a link straight to ziplock bags you can click here.
20. Cooker
Can I first say that I HAD NO IDEA THIS EXISTED MY FRESHMAN YEAR!
This is an electronic pasta/pan cooker that you can use in your dorm room. I would have cooked so many more meals if I had this. If you are buying for a student, this is a must-buy.
Best Dorm Room Bathroom Essentials
21. Shower Caddy
Shower caddies are classic because no one wants to carry all of their items across the hall into their bathroom.
These are also great if you are sharing a bathroom because they take up barely any space and keep all of your items organized.
22. Shower Shoes
Shower shoes are a must-have for girls and boys. Dorm bathrooms are old and frankly not clean.
These shower shoes come in multiple different colors and are perfect for the shower or for just walking around campus.
NOTE FROM FOUNDER: I have seen 3 students (2 girls and 1 boy) wearing these just yesterday!
23. Waterproof Birkenstock
These waterproof Birkenstocks are also perfect for dorm bathrooms.
You can get these dirty and just wash the dirt away!
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24. Bathroom Towels
I cant find the exact towels I brought with me to my freshman dorm but these on Amazon have great reviews!
25. Women’s Cozy Robe
Getting a robe for your dorm room is perfect if you don’t like rushing to dry off before anyone comes.
You can get out of the shower and relax in your new bathrobe instead.
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26. Bathroom Trolly
I LOVE storage options for my bathroom.
If you have a private bathroom, check out this bathroom trolly and see if your bathmate wants to go 50/50 with you!
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27. Laundry Hamper
This is the exact laundry hamper I had for the past year.
There really isn’t much to explain about it but it has wheels making it perfect for going down the stairs or the elevator.
28. Set of Bathroom Essentials
If you love organization and having a set of items, then I recommend this to you. My friend has it and she loves how her bathroom comes together!
This set of bathroom essentials cost under $30!
Best Dorm Room Desk Essentials
29. Office Supplies Holder
This is definitely the most basic organizer you can have but it’s perfect if you want to take it with you to your first apartment and first home.
However, if you are looking for something a little bit cuter, check out number 7,
30. Adjustable Wood Display Shelf
I recently saw a photo of a girl’s dorm room with this on her desk – HOW FREAKIN SMART?
She had it on the back of her desk against the wall and she had her books and computers on it.
31. Small Mirror
You will end up needing a smaller mirror in your dorm room. I included it in the “dorm desk essentials” because I keep mine on my dorm desk but it is up to you where you put it.
The one listed above you can find on Amazon, it has over 7,000 reviews and is on discount right now.
DORM ROOM ESSENTIALS
32. Desk Lamp
If you are sharing your room with someone, a desk lamp is essential.
You do not want to have to turn on all of the lights just to do homework when your roommate is taking a nap.
The one listed above is also on sale with over 6,000 reviews.
33. DIY Desk Organizer
This is a great DIY desk organizer especially if you want something more lengthy instead of thick. You can take each part apart or use it together in a set!
34. Self-Adhesive Desk Drawer
My dorm room has a desk with a pull-out drawer and I absolutely love it. However, some of my friends at different colleges do not have it – so this would be the perfect DIY replacement.
35. Desktop Desk Organizer
Just like number #1 this is a perfect desk organizer to put your books, computers, and pencils on.
It also comes in 5 different colors making it perfect for any theme you are thinking of doing!
36. Wall Calendar
Everyone needs a wall calendar. I have 3 calendars right now in my dorm room and it makes it so much easier to never be late on an assignment and stay up to date on this blog.
DORM ROOM ESSENTIALS
37. 6-Foot Extension Cord
You will need an extension cord for your desk. I have one for my desk so I can plug in my phone, computer, AirPods, and my calculator.
38. Desk Cart With Wheels
If I could redo my dorm room, I am getting this desk cart.
The amount of dorm rooms I have seen with this exact cart is huge. People either use it for their books or their makeup.
39. File Holder
This is a basic file holder that would be ideal if you do not want to spend a lot of money on a holder and just want a basic one.
40. Pencil/Makeup Holder
You can have your pens and pencils anywhere but this holder is so cute that I knew I had to include it.
DORM ROOM ESSENTIALS
41. Dry Erase Whiteboard with Storage
This is PERFECT if you are looking for something for reminders. I currently use a whiteboard that I hang next to my wall but if I could redo my room, I would buy this in a heartbeat!
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