Dorm Room Essentials – Ultimate List For Freshman
If you are moving into a dorm room, this dorm room essentials list is your one stop shop for everything you are going to need in your room!
Note: There are affiliate links included in this article. Check out my disclosure policy for any questions.
As a college student, I understand exactly what you’re going through when it comes to buying everything for your dorm room. To make it as stress-free as possible, I am giving you one single list that will cover it all!
This is everything that I ordered and used for my own dorm room, so I can guarantee it will be perfect for yours!
This post is all about dorm room essentials for freshman!
Just a quick note before I start the list:
This list is super long and thorough! To make it as organized as possible, I divided everything up into categories and included both previous articles as well as the product links.
All of the dorm room essentials on this list correspond with my All-In-One Dorm Room Packing List. This list is literally everything you need to move into a dorm!
Dorm bedding essentials
This article goes over all of the products listed in this section in a lot of detail. It also teaches you the order that all the bedding essentials should be put on the dorm bed.
Because of the detail in that article, I am only including the product photos and links on this dorm room essentials list. Click the link above to check out some additional info and my opinions on each product!
Bed bug protector
Non-slip rug pad
It seems kinda weird to put on your bed, but trust me on this one! Check out this article to learn why you NEED this on your dorm bed: 8 Dorm Bedding Essentials You Need For College!
Mattress topper
Mattress pad
Body pillow
For your dorm room, I would choose between either a body pillow or a husband pillow. Both aren’t going to fit on your bed, so pick whichever you prefer!
Husband pillow
Headboard
There are dozens of styles, patterns, and colors on dormify that you can check out in addition to this one!
bedly
I recently found this product and cannot believe how anyone in the dorms lived without it!
Bedly straps are specifically tailored for college dorm beds in order to prevent the mattress pad from constantly slipping around. This is a must-have product for college students!
The Bedly strap wraps around your mattress topper and stops your mattress topper, sheets, and you from sliding out of your bed. The clips at the end of the straps allow you to attach them to your sheets so that the sheets don’t move at night.
This product is such an easy solution to such an annoying problem with dorm room beds. Plus, it is super affordable!
General dorm room essentials
A bunch, but not all of the products in this section are included in the above article!
Night table/cart
This not only looks super cute, but is extremely functional! The cart is slim enough to fit in most dorm rooms and has a lot of storage space for all your essentials.
Plus, this comes in a few different colors to match whatever theme you are going with.
Printable artwork
For a budget-friendly way to personalize your dorm room, consider printable art!
It helps create a comfortable, inviting place to call home. You can print the artwork on a good-quality color printer or go to a local print shop. It is best to use heavy-weight, matte textured paper or fine art paper which you can find at Hobby Lobby. You’ll find inexpensive frames at Walmart, Target, Michaels, or Hobby Lobby.
One option to avoid making holes in the wall is to lean the frame on a shelf or desk either by itself or grouped as a gallery. You can also use removable picture hanging strips to attach the frame to the wall or skip the frame entirely and use washi tape to hang the print.
Besides being affordable, digital art is easy to update when you find your next inspiration!
Lamp
This lamp and charger combo is super useful when you don’t have a lot of outlet space. In a tight dorm room, the last thing you want to clutter it up with is extra wires, so this simplifies that for you!
You can use this either on a night table or on the desk.
Woozoo fan
This fan has taken the college community by storm! If you are looking to buy this for your dorm room, make sure you order it early because it was out of stock for a while last year.
Shoe ottoman
There’s nothing better than multi-functional pieces in a dorm room. With such little space, this shoe ottoman is perfect. It’ll hold all of your shoes without looking cluttered, plus it serves as additional seating in your room.
Bed risers
Depending on your school, you may or may not need bed risers. Some beds have different levels you can move it to to raise them and some don’t. I would suggest buying a pack in case and then returning them if you don’t need to use them.
Command strips
These are essential if you want to hang anything on the walls. Because you can’t use nails or damage the walls in any way in a dorm room, command strips are perfect.
Make sure to be prepared with different sizes and styles for whatever you may need. Better to have extra than not have what you need!
White board
A simple white board is perfect to hang on the front of your dorm room door for people to write messages to you and your roommate!
Step stool
Especially for move-in day, a step stool is super helpful when hanging all your decorations on the walls. During the year, it is also good to have if you have a high shelf in your closet.
Tool kit
You might only use this on move-in day, but it is super important nonetheless. This tool kit in particular is super compact so it won’t take up too much space, but it comes with literally everything you are going to need while in the dorms.
Buy it once freshman year and you’ll have it for your entire college experience. I have definitely needed to use a thing or two from here throughout my freshman year.
File folder
For all of your important/official documents, use a file folder to keep them all organized. Medical documents, financial aid papers, and more can all go in here so you always know where it is.
College bathroom & cosmetic essentials
Once you have all your makeup and cosmetics, here are my best tips to organize them!
Shower caddy
This is absolutely essential if you have a communal bathroom in college. This one specifically is perfect because it is compact but still holds everything you need to bring back and forth to the bathroom.
Towel set
Buying a matching towel set freshman year will definitely last you a few years in college.
Towel wrap
This is sometimes forgotten but super important! Buy a towel wrap for when you have to walk back and forth from your dorm room to the bathroom, or for when you are doing your hair/makeup after a shower.
Jewelry organizer
This thing is absolutely amazing. It is super compact, won’t take up a ton of space, keeps everything organized, and will literally hold all of your jewelry in one place.
This was one of my favorite purchases for keeping my stuff organized in my dorm room.
Large makeup organizer
Depending on how you are organizing your makeup, you will most likely need a makeup organizer. You can also use this to carry cosmetics back and forth from home to college.
I love vera bradley for any makeup/cosmetic cases. They are super durable and will last you all through college.
Medium makeup organizer
If you don’t have a crazy amount of makeup, this is a slightly smaller option for a makeup organizer.
Dryer sheets
These eco-friendly dryer sheets are perfect for dorm rooms! These will most likely last you the entire year and make laundry so much easier.
Dorm kitchen essentials
Hydroflask water bottle
You are definitely going to want a reusable water bottle for college. I love using metal water bottles so it keeps drinks cold throughout the day.
This one also has a handle which comes in handy when you aren’t carrying it in a backpack.
Tupperware set
You may want to bring a few different sizes of Tupperware to your dorm room. Depending on what you plan on eating, these may come in handy.
If you don’t plan on eating much in your room, you probably won’t need this.
Paper towels
You are without a doubt going to need some paper towels in your dorm room.
Dorm tech essentials
Extension cord
Do not go to college without some extension cords! You will definitely need one, maybe two depending on your room.
Most likely, you’ll need one for your night table (clock, phone charger, fan, lamp, etc) and one for your desk (printer, lamp, etc).
Portable charger
This’ll definitely be necessary when you are out all day and need to charge your phone during or between classes.
Printer
Although there are printers on campus, it is super helpful to have one in your room so you never need to go too far to print something. This printer in specific is very small, so it won’t take up too much space on your desk.
Depending on your school, this may or may not be necessary. For me, I had a printer in my dorm so I didn’t need a personal one. However, for others, this was way more convenient to have.
College school supply essentials
Not exactly products, but some tips to organize once you already have the products!
Laptop sleeve
If you are planning on carrying your laptop around anywhere, protect it with a laptop sleeve.
Highlighters
Literally could not function without a pack of highlighters for my schoolwork.
Black pens
These pens will last you forever and are absolutely amazing!
Colored pens
These are the same as the black pens, just in different colors. I’ve been using these religiously for four years and will never switch to any other pens!
I use these to organize literally everything in my planner and my notes. If you are looking to get more productive with your schoolwork, these pens will help you do that.
Planner
This is my absolute favorite planner! If you want even more planner ideas, check out this article: 10 Best College Planners For Every Type of Student
Pencil case
This pencil case is super compact and will fit in any backpack. It holds everything I need for classes and keeps it all extremely organized.
College cleaning essentials
This article goes over all of the cleaning supplies listed below really well!
Because of the detail in that article, I am only including the product photos and links on this dorm room essentials list. Click the link above to check out some additional info and my opinions of each product!
Air freshener
If you have a shared bathroom with a suite or a couple people, it is super helpful to leave a bottle of air freshener in there for whenever you or someone else needs!
Fabric refresher
Magic eraser
Moisture absorbers
Scented trash bags
Mini steamer
Multipurpose spray
Clorox wipes
Dust buster
Drying rack
General dorm room bins
Flat fabric storage bin
This is perfect for the top shelf of your closet or under the bed.
Small fabric storage bin
This is perfect for any small shelves you have around your room or in your closet. I also love using these if your desk comes with a hutch.
Large fabric storage bin
This is perfect for under the bed or the top shelf of a closet.
Large clear storage bin
This is perfect for under the bed or the bottom of your closet.
Medium clear storage bin
This is perfect for the top shelf of a dorm room closet. I would suggest categorizing all of your non-clothing items into these bins (medicine, kitchen, cleaning, school supplies, etc).
Underbed bins
These are one of the most important dorm room essentials you will buy for college. You are going to keep most, if not all of your clothes in here and put them under your bed!
This post was all about dorm room essentials!
