The fall/winter academic term is almost here, and if you’re a college student who is getting ready to get back to class, you must be excited about moving into a dorm. Whether it’s your first time living away from home, or you’re a returning student, this extensive list of items will help you get organized as you settle into your new home away from home.
We’ve linked to many of the items to help you find the best prices on Flipp. The Flipp app is a life-saver when you’re on a tight budget or looking for a deal in a pinch. If you haven’t done so, download the free app today, because who doesn’t love a good deal?
Bedroom
The beds and mattresses in dorm rooms are usually not the comfiest, but with these essential items, you can cozy up your space and feel right at home. We highly recommend a mattress pad or topper for some added support.
- 2 sets of bed sheets (Check with your college for the right size.)
- Comforter or duvet cover with insert
- Pillows & pillowcases
- Throw blanket
- Mattress pad
- Bedside caddy
Bathroom
You might not need to get all of these items, specifically if your dorm building has shared bathrooms that already include things like toilet paper — but it never hurts to have your own, just in case!
- Bath and hand towels
- Shower caddy
- Shower slippers
- Hairdryer
- Shower curtain (if not provided)
- Bathroom mat
- Toilet paper
Laundry
Since you’ll be doing laundry in a shared laundry room, make the most use of your time by taking your laptop with you and completing some classwork while you wait.
- Laundry hamper (we recommend a collapsible basket)
- Collapsible laundry basket or mesh laundry bag
- Laundry detergent
- Flipp tipp: detergent pods are great because all you have to do is pop them in the machine and, voila! No measuring required.
- Mini sewing kit
- Clothing steamer
Storage
You’ll be surprised by how much stuff you’ll need to store in your dorm room. Make sure everything is neatly organized and put away with these storage solutions.
- Clothes hangers
- Under-the-bed storage bins or trays
- Storage bins with lid
- Over-the-door hooks
- Drawer storage cart
- Storage ottoman
Desk
Sometimes you’ll want to study in your dorm room instead of the library or student lounge. Make sure you have everything you need to stay focused but comfortable. If a chair is already provided for you, we recommend getting your own chair cushion to make it more comfortable.
- Chair cushion (if chair is provided)
- Desk chair (if not provided)
- Mini trash can
- Desk lamp
- Mini fan
- Wall or desk calendar
- Stackable desk trays
- Pencil holder
- Stapler
- Tape
- Highlighters
- Pens & pencils
- Notebooks
- Weekly planner
- Expanding file folder
- Lap desk (if you like to work from bed)
Decorations
One of the best parts of dorm life is getting creative by decorating your room. We know everyone has their own decor style, but here are some things you might want to consider. Don’t forget to get removable wall hanging strips and hooks to put up your decor.
- Wall mirror
- Picture frames
- Mini dry-erase board
- Wall-hanging strips
- String lights
- Removable wall hooks
- Posters & art
- Bean bag chair or foldable chair
- Area rug
- Decorative pillows or cushions
Household & Kitchen
If you’re going to be living with a roommate/roommates, we recommend making a list of shared items that everyone can use. Shopping for household supplies in bulk and splitting the cost will be way cheaper than buying everything yourself. For more tips on saving money in college, check out our post, 14 Money-Saving Tips for College Students.
- Trash bags
- Paper towels
- Hand soap
- Microwavable plates, bowls & cups
- Silverware
- Can opener
- Kitchen towels
- All-purpose cleaner
- Microfiber cleaning cloths
- Disinfecting wipes
- Dish soap
- Sponges or dishcloths
- Mini brush & dustpan
Appliances
Having a few simple appliances in your dorm will make it easy to prepare quick meals that you can eat at home if you can’t get to the dining hall. If you have roommates, we recommend coordinating with your roommates on who will be bringing what. We also recommend checking in with campus housing to see what is and isn’t allowed in your dorm room before making some of these purchases.
Electronics
Here is a list of electronics that you might need for classwork and entertainment.
- Extension cord
- Surge protector
- Laptop
- Headphones
- Wireless mouse & keyboard
- Printer & printer paper
- TV
- Laptop/TV adaptors such as HDMI cord
On-the-Go Items
When you’re out and about, be sure to keep these items in your bag so you can stay organized and be prepared for anything.
