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Dorm Essentials for Freshman 📚🎓
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items As someone who has just left dorm-life, knowing what is needed and what is not as needed is fresh on my mind. This list has things that I have personally used and loved in my shoebox sized dorm room!!
Sections
7
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Bathroom
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Desk Space
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Storage
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Dorm Room
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Bedding
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Misc. Stuff
Bathroom
Just a few much-needed bathroom items for shared bathrooms
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Some recommend plastic shower caddy’s and others recommend mesh. I didn’t see a huge difference between the two, but this is the one I personally used. No mold growth as some people claim there is!
Attmu Mesh Shower Caddy Portable for Dorm
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YOU NEED SHOWER SHOES!! If you are going to be sharing a bathroom with other people this is non-negotiable. I cannot stress how gross the bathrooms can get sometimes. You NEED these
shevalues Women's Shower Shoes with Arch Support
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This is perfect for walking to and from the bathroom during your showers! Very full coverage and adjustable with the wrap around belt
DOOWELL Women's Lightweight Absorbent Robe
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I did not believe that these worked until I tried them! I even used them without soap first to really test them, and let me tell you, they get everything off!
Nano Towel Makeup Remover Face Cloth Grey
Desk Space
Some cute space-saving options
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This is perfect and so compact for small desks with not much space. I love the wide drawers that have space for powder products and jewelry products!
Ikee Design Pink Jewelry & Cosmetic Storage Boxes Set
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I LOVED THIS VANITY!! It was so compact and actually had pretty bright lights. I didn’t use the 10x mirror but the other two side mirrors were so helpful in blending concealer and covering blemishes! It folds in on itself so once you are done using i...
HUONUL Makeup Mirror Vanity with Lights 2X 3X 10X
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I cannot recommend this enough. This is so cute and when in a small space it is best to build up, not out. This stored so many cute decorations and beauty products and made my room feel so much more homey.
Deli Desktop Shelf Desk Hutch with 5 Shelves
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This is awesome for storing necklaces, bracelets, and earrings!
Love-KANKEI Jewelry Organizer Stand Metal & Wood
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You can fit SO much stuff in this thing! My mom has one and I am so obsessed with it
CONBOLA 5-Layer Rotating Jewelry Box White
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This is a tiny bit cheaper that the other mirror that folds out, but it is still a great option!
miroposs Rechargeable Travel Makeup Mirror 80LED
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These are great for organizing your desk drawers
Vtopmart 25 PCS Clear Plastic Drawer Organizers
Storage
The best storage essentials!
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GAME CHANGER! These hold SO much stuff in them and made move-in and move-out so much more simple. These are so durable and can really hold more than you think. This is a MUST HAVE!
TICONN 6 Pack Extra Large Moving Bags w/ Zippers
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I personally used this for cleaning supplies but that’s what I love about this product! It is versatile for whatever you want to use it for. I stored it on top of my tall dresser so that it was out of the way
Shoe Organizer for Closet, Fits up to 16 Pairs, 1 Pack
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This makes for the BEST snack cart! I stored so many snacks in here and it fit perfectly beside my futon. The best part about it is that you can use it after dorm-life. You can use it for the bathroom or even a little bar cart in your future apartmen...
Pipishell Slim Storage Cart with Wheels
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I hung this on the side of my bed near the snack cart that is also on this list to store additional snacks!
Over Door Hooks Organizer with 12 Hooks
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These tension rods were so niche and I had so many girls asking where I got them from! They seriously help to de-clutter your room since this closet did not come with the curtain (we used the tension rods to hang the curtain)
AIZESI 2pcs Adjustable Spring Tension Rods 26-39in
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I did not think I would use this as much as I did! The freshman flu is real and you will get more sick that you would at home due to shared spaces and vents. This is a must have and made storing all my medicine so much easier
StarPlus2 - 2 Pack Large Padded Pill Organizer
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I used these for extra sheets and towels and loved them! They were both compact and fit easily underneath my futon. I will definitely be using these in the future in my apartment because they hold so many clothes and make your space a little more org...
Fixwal Black Underbed Storage Bags w/ Window
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This was perfect for the curtains near the window in my room! The room would get so bright in the mornings when I wanted to sleep in so this is a must have if you need curtains and want beauty sleep
Zenna Home Adjustable Curtain Rod 28-66"
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This is perfect for storage in small closets! It can hold shoes or basically anything you want it to!
MAX Houser 6 Tier Hanging Closet Organizer
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These save up sooo much space in your closet, especially if it is small already
HEYHOUSE Closet Organizers, 6-Pack, 9-Hole Hangers
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Velvet hangers are so awesome! They make sure your clothes don't fall in the closet
Amazon Basics Slim Velvet Non-Slip Hangers, 30
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A laundry bag is a must! Especially one that is easy to transport and holds a lot of stuff. If you live in a dorm that has an elevator, this wheeled one is perfect
Goodpick 75L Rolling Laundry Basket with Bag
Dorm Room
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1000x YES!! In shared spaces with shared ventilation such as dorm rooms, you NEED an air purifier. I know people who didn’t have one and got sick way more often than me. It is truly astonishing to see how much gunk it collects
Levoit Core® Mini Air Purifier
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SO CUTE and SO perfect for storing any refrigerated snacks and drinks. I saw so many people that had these and loved them. Perfect for small dorm spaces
Retro Mini Fridges
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This was perfect for small pictures and decor I hung on the walls. Removal was so simple and never took paint off the walls which is a huge plus if your school fines you for paint damage!
Commandâ„¢ Picture Hanging Strips & Products | 3M United States
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If you have a lofted bed like I did, walking up the side can be uncomfortable on the feet. These ladder pads are a game changer and were so niche! I barely saw anyone who had them and they helped my feet from feeling pain when I got into bed
Amerbro 13.8x3.2in Bunk Bed Ladder Pads 4PCS
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Another GAME CHANGER!! As someone who needs their room pitch black to sleep, the outside lights and sun in the morning would definitely cause disturbances. When these say blackout, they mean it. These are some of the BEST curtains I’ve ever had
YoungsTex Linen Blackout Curtains 54 Inch
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If you have a lofted bed, this is non-negotiable! It was so helpful in keeping bedtime essentials near me so that I wouldn’t have to crawl down every time
Bedside Wall Mount Shelf, Adhesive Organizer
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This was so perfect! I loved the flat plug in, and this was great if you did not have a charger block because of the USB plug-ins. A lot of dorms require you to have a surge protector if you bring something like this and I never had any issues with t...
Power Strip Surge Protector 8 Outlets 3 USB
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The dorm rooms can get hot sometimes, and as someone who needs a fan on them to sleep, this was perfect!
Woozoo 5-Speed Globe Fan
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This was so perfect as someone who had zero mirrors in their dorm on move-in day. I will be using this after dorm life too!
Mirrorize Full Length Over the Door Hanging Mirror
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A beside table/caddy is a must if your bed is lofted. It is much harder to climb down your bed in pitch black to get a water than to reach over beside you
Bestjing 2-in-1 Bedside Shelf with 360° Cup Holder
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If you have a rug, a vaccuum is a must! Even if you don't, it is still helpful in cleaning up dirt that builds up over the year
Bissell Featherweight Stick Vacuum 2033 Blue
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I wish I had one of these! The amount of times I lost my dorm room key was insane
VIS'V Wall Mount Key Holder, 3 Hooks, White
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I had a futon just like this one and I loved it! It is perfect for when your friends visit and want to sleep over because it folds out. The cup holders are also amazing
COLAMY Futon Sofa Bed Small Couch w/ 2 Cup Holders
Bedding
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10/10 mattress topper!!! It was honestly cozier than my bed at home and it kept me cool all night. The mattresses that the dorm supplies are not comfortable at all so you need one of these!
Maxzzz Firm 3 Inch Gel Memory Foam Topper
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This is cute if your bed isn't lofted! I wasn't able to purchase this but I have seen so many cute bedrooms with this exact bed skirt
Dorm Room Twin XL Bed Skirt - 30 Inch Drop
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This is so cute as a mock headboard! It is also great for making sure that your pillows don't fall backwards off the bed
homecozy Wedge Headboard Pillow 39in Gray
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This is the cutest headboard!!
EMMA + OLIVER Tufted Full Size Headboard White
Misc. Stuff
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I would definitely get some sort of utinsels, especially if you plan on eating in your room
Dealusy 360 Count Heavy Duty Clear Plastic Silverware Set
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The water filter on the water fountains in my dorm often went down or read that the water quality was bad, and it really made me wish I had one of these
Brita Metro Water Filter Pitcher 6-Cup Turquoise
Decor!!
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These plants are so cute and add so much life to your room!
Winlyn 3 Pcs Faux Succulent Plants in Gray Pots
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A rug is always good! I would advise against white because they stain super easily, but a grey rug like this is perfect for guys or girls!
Ophanie 3x5 Grey Non Slip Dorm Rug
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Here is a cuter rug for those who want more color and style to their room!
Domitapis 5x7 Vintage Boho Rug Light Blue
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I think these are so cute and match any color room!
iHery OAK Wood Audrey Hepburn Wall Art 12x16
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This abstract wall art is perfect above a bed or futon
libitea 3 pcs Pink Coral Canvas Wall Art
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These are so perfect for those wanting to add their faith to their space
LARTSFRO Blue Bow Jesus Wall Art Set 10x8
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Hang this up on the outside of your door or room! You can write daily questions and bond with your hallmates. It is so cute to find random messages on there too
Mr. Pen Dry Erase Board 14x11 Pink Frame
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Some coastal and country aesthetic!
XYDEG Light Blue Coastal Cowgirl Posters Set
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Cute to hold any jewlery!
CCINPPY Ceramic Jewelry Tray, Cloud Ring Holder