31 Best Dorm Room Essentials For College Dorm Life

This post is about dorm room essentials that improve college life.

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Dorm Room Essentials

Packing for college can be stressful and exciting at the same time.

On one end, you are excited to begin this new chapter of your life, but on the other end, you’re freaking out!

Like yes! College move-in day is finally here!

But, “holy cow,” what do I pack! Will I use this? Do I need this?

Yes, this happens, and it’s completely normal.

So if you find yourself excited and stressed out at the same time, know that your roommate and many others are probably going through the same thing.

I know I did. I was overwhelmed because, other than a few toiletries and bedding, I didn’t know what other dorm room essentials I should be packing for college.

Thankfully, I had a great roommate who helped me figure it out! Yes, talk about being lucky!

So after moving into my dorm room with just my clothes, a few toiletries, and bedding, I ended up purchasing a few of these items.

All in all, all these dorm room essentials made my college life so much easier.

I actually used every single item on this list. Plus, many of these dorm room essentials lasted throughout my college years.

So here are all the doom room essentials that will make your life so much easier and more organized in college.

Dorm Room Essentials You Will Actually Use

1. Drawer carts

I honestly can imagine what my dorm room would be without these 3 drawer carts.

They are so affordable and make organizing your dorm room easy.

All my college friends had at least one 3-drawer cart. Some use it to organize their clothes, books, and stationery.

However, I mainly used these drawer carts to help me organize my food in my dorm room.

2. Microwave oven

If you’re a foodie, buying a microwave oven for your dorm room is a must!

This isn’t up for debate, foodies!

My microwave oven kept me fed when the cafeteria food sucked.

Or when I wanted a midnight snack and didn’t want to risk it all going to the vending machines around campus.

So get yourself a microwave oven – your tummy will thank you.

3. Mini refrigerator

A mini refrigerator is another must-have college item. There wasn’t one dorm I went to that didn’t have one.

Thankfully, when I started college, the student who occupied my side of the room left hers behind, so I got a mini-refrigerator for free.

However, if you are not so lucky, but you still want to save money, consider purchasing a used mini-refrigerator.

4. Sandwich maker

While some student living halls won’t allow a toaster, they allow sandwich makers!

However, before you do a happy dance, find out if you’re allowed to have a sandwich maker.

Thankfully, we were allowed to have sandwich makers in the dorms, and let me tell you this was a lifesaver.

On days I didn’t want noodles and a Kraft cheese sandwich with some juice got the job done.

All in all, if you’re allowed to have one in your room, I say go for it. Plus, these bad boys last a while – mine lasted throughout my time in college.

5. Tableware

When I was buying dinnerware and flatware for my dorm room, I considered disposables.

However, after realizing how much money I would be saving over a few years in college by buying reusable dinnerware and flatware, I quickly changed my mind.

Now that doesn’t mean getting disposables isn’t a good idea.

Depending on your dorm room’s living situation, using disposable dinnerware and disposable flatware might be your best bet.

So, all in all, I recommend packing a few disposable tableware from home – just enough to last you a few days.

Then, after assessing your living situation, you can decide whether to continue using them or to purchase reusable tableware.

Alert! Don’t forget your microwave-safe coffee mugs.

Now, coffee mugs will not only help you save your GPA and keep you warm, but they will also help you create delicious mug meals and mug desserts right in your dorm room.

Thus, remember to pack a set of microwave-safe mugs.

6. Coffee Maker

During exams and the cooler months, a cup of coffee will keep you grounded.

Plus, it will save you money and time!

Before I got my mini Keurig, Starbucks was almost my send home-yeah ridiculous, I know. But that’s how often I went to Starbucks to purchase coffee drinks.

But once I got my mini Keurig, making cold and hot coffee drinks was super easy and convenient.

All in all, it’s a game-changer if you enjoy coffee drinks.

7. Mattress cover

A mattress cover is a must, and it’s one of the items I bought for college, along with my other bedding items.

Mattress covers are great because they protect the mattress from dust mites and bedbugs.

Now you may not have to worry about dust mites and especially bedbugs being in your college dorm room.

However, if you have allergies, you should consider bringing a mattress cover to college.

8. Mattress topper

A mattress topper is another item that should be packed, even if you start packing your clothes. I kid you not.

When it comes to getting a comfortable night’s rest, most mattresses in dorms are not fit to do the job.

Plus, if you have trouble falling asleep at night, the mattresses in the dorm room are going to be your worst enemy because they’re not comfortable at all.

Now I know how important it is for me to get enough sleep to function, so I didn’t take any chances – I ensured I brought a mattress topper for college.

So if you’re on the fence about bringing a mattress topper to college, I say go for it! Your body will thank you.

9. Bed rest pillow

Space in a dorm room is tight – there isn’t much space for things like couches.

So most of the time, you will either be on your bed or at your computer desk. Now, better your bed and your computer desk, can you guess which one is comfortable?

Yes, your bed! So you will be doing a lot on there, which includes watching, reading, watching movies, studying, and more.

Thus, you need to make your bed as comfortable as possible, and a bed rest pillow helps you do just that because it provides support for your back, so definitely get one.

10. Fuzzy blanket

A nice warm fuzzy blanket is everything!

Forget college, you need one in your life. These types of blankets are super soft, plus during the cold winter months, these fuzzy blankets keep you warm and comfortable.

A fuzzy blanket is a top college essential! This kept me warm and comfortable in my cool dorm room.

11. Fuzzy slippers

Before I purchase my fuzzy slippers, I use socks to keep my feet warm and comfortable, and they work okay.

However, after trying my roommate’s fuzzy slippers, I just had to get a pair.

Fuzzy slippers are just the best! They are so comfortable!

However, I must admit, I replaced all my fuzzy slippers yearly because they didn’t last over a year of heavy use.

In fact, up to this day, I have yet to find a pair of fuzzy slippers that lasts more than a year with heavy use.

Therefore, if you do get a pair of fuzzy slippers, just bear that in mind.

12. Bedside shelf

One thing I quickly realized after entering my dorm room was how small and empty it was.

I mean, there was barely any furniture apart from the bed, dresser, closet combo, desk, and chair.

Thankfully, bedside shelves are a thing!

A bedside shelf is a great alternative to a traditional nightstand.

You can easily place your cellphone, bottled water, and a book for easy access during the night.

13. Laptop bed desk

In college, if I wasn’t in the library reading, completing assignments, or studying for exams, I would be in my room on my bed reading, completing assignments, or studying for exams.

All in all, I spent a lot of time on my bed, so it was very important for me to be comfortable on my bed.

Now I must admit, the bed isn’t the best place for studying for some college students.

However, for me, it worked. Plus, using a laptop bed desk and bed rest pillows made it easy and practical.

So if you plan on reading, completing assignments, watching movies, or studying on your bed, a laptop bed desk is a game-changer.

14. Mesh Shower Caddy

I had suitemates! So my roommate and I shared our bathroom with two other students!

Now, because the space was small, personalizing the bathroom wasn’t an option, so we all had a mesh shower caddy, and it just made life easier.

15. Towel wrap

One thing you will quickly realize is that there is very little privacy when you share a dorm room.

Plus, when you add suitemates to the equation, privacy diminishes even more.

Thankfully, things like towel wraps exist. A towel wrap allows you to comfortably walk around hand-free.

So basically, you don’t have to worry about your towel slipping down while you move around.

Overall, it’s a great bathroom essential for college, especially when you share a bathroom with other college students.

16. Shower shoes

Still, on the subject of taking showers in college, another necessity is a pair of shower shoes.

If you share your bathroom, using a pair of shower shoes is a must.

Your shower shoe doesn’t have to be anything fancy. In fact, a pair of flip-flops will get the job done.

17. Hair tools organizer

One thing about living in small spaces like dorms it forces you to find smart ways to organize and maximize the space.

While it can be a hassle at first, it pays off in the end because it helps you find things faster and declutter the space faster, too.

A hair tools organizer helps you keep all your hair tools and other hair products in one place for quick and easy access.

18. First aid kit

This is one item you shouldn’t leave for college without, but I did.

Hehe … it happens.

In general, packing for college can be so overwhelming that you forget to pack important things like a first aid kit.

My first aid kit lasted throughout my time in college. The only thing I replaced was the painkillers when they expired.

All in all, having one on hand was very useful.

19. Desk organizer

With limited space, your desk can quickly become cluttered.

Thankfully, a desk organizer can help you easily organize your desk in your dorm room.

20. Command hooks

In general, dorm room policies don’t allow you to use nails to hang anything. So if you want to hang anything, you must use command hooks.

Personally, a set of command hooks came in handy when I wanted to hang my wall tapestry.

All in all, having a few of these when you’re decorating your dorm room makes things easier and keeps you out of trouble.

21. Sticky phone pocket

I was always digging in my backpack looking for my dorm room keys and student ID until I got a sticky phone pocket!

This is so simple and honestly isn’t a need, but it just made my dorm room keys, student ID, and my other cards easily accessible.

So it was worth it! Plus, it was very affordable, and what a difference it made.

22. Long charging cords

A long charging cord is so convenient, especially in dorm rooms with limited outlets.

I know for me it made a big difference because my bed was on one side of the room and the outlets were on the other side.

So when I wanted to use my phone while it was charging, it was easy!

All I had to do was connect the charger to my phone – I didn’t even have to walk over to the other side of the room.

Yes, I was that lazy. But honestly, when assignments start to pile up, every bit of energy you can conserve makes a difference.

23. Power strip

A power strip is another college essential that just makes charging your electronics easy.

I know the struggle – I only had two outlets, and both outlets were on my side of my bed.

Related: Dorm Electronics Essentials For College Students

So after the mini-refrigerator and microwave oven were plugged in, I only had one outlet left.

Now, for me alone, I made it work, but when friends came over, it was a hassle. So, eventually, I caved in a purchased a power strip.

But honestly, I really should have purchased one from the very beginning.

24. Ottoman with storage

An ottoman with storage can help you create a sitting area plus provide extra storage.

In college, I used mine mainly to store snacks and canned foods, and it worked great!

Some of my college friends used their ottomans to organize their clothes and bedding. Overall, really helps upgrade the look of a dorm room.

You can use it just the way it is, or you can place a piece of faux sheepskin on the top to make it more comfortable.

I added the faux sheepskin to my ottoman, and it looked great!

Related: 30 Genius Dorm Storage Ideas

25. Laundry hamper

A laundry hamper is a must-have for dorm rooms – it’s durable, it’s affordable, it’s foldable, and it doesn’t take up too much space.

This laundry hamper, a set of mesh clothing washing bags, and a laundry bag lasted me throughout my time in college.

Now, if you don’t have to leave your residence hall to do laundry, you probably don’t need a laundry bag.

All in all, this laundry hamper and a few mesh clothing washing bags will get the job done.

26. Mini steamer

These mini steamers help you get ready faster! In fact, they help you get wrinkles out of your clothes easier and faster than traditional irons.

Related: Dorm Room Laundry Supplies

Plus, they don’t occupy a lot of space or need maintenance, unlike an ironing board, an iron, and an iron holder.

You can also easily travel with a mini steamer. Overall, they’re a win-win for college students who want to maximize their dorm room space.

27. Non-slip hangers

Velvet hangers keep your clothes hanging – they don’t slip off.

Plus, they allow you to add more clothes to your dorm room closet, and they’re prettier than plastic or wire hangers.

So if you want hangers that keep your clothes hanging, look sleek, and allow you to add more clothes to your closet, velvet hangers are your best bet.

28. Shoe organizers

A door shoe organizer can help you organize your shoes and anything else that will fit in there.

Related: Dorm Room Organization Essentials

I have seen college students use shoe organizers to store snacks, organize socks, organize hair and body products, organize pens, pencils, and highlighters, plus more.

29. Foldable storage drawers

In general, there isn’t much space in the dresser closet combo in dorm rooms. Therefore, you must maximize your space in order to get the most out of it.

Thankfully, a set of foldable storage drawers helps you do just that! All in all, they are great for storing things like undergarments, hand towels, bras, and socks.

30. Compact vacuum

In general, when it comes to vacuums, you want one that works and is affordable. But for college, you also need one that does not take up too much space.

I find that for dorm rooms, small compact vacuums like these are suitable. However, once I moved off campus and had more area to vacuum, I needed something more robust.

So, if you don’t plan on moving off-campus, then a small compact vacuum will most likely work.

However, if you intend to move off-campus, then consider getting a vacuum that’s suitable for vacuuming larger areas.

31. All-purpose cleaner

A clean and organized dorm room creates an inviting and comfortable space. This all-purpose cleaner gets the job done, it smells good, and it’s affordable.

A few bottles of this can easily last you months. All you need is a spray bottle, water, and some Fabuloso – your room will actually be clean and smell amazing!