various dorm-related items laid out on a yellow backround: pillow, humidifier, toilet paper, laundry detergent, loofah, sleeping mask

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Share On