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College Dorm Essentials

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Being a mom of two kids away at college, I wanted to share this list to help answer that one question "What do they need?" We're constantly looking for ways for our kids to feel at home away from home. Hope this list helps to start the process.
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My Top Recommendations Dorm Starter Kit

Moving into a dorm is an exciting new chapter, and having the right essentials can make all the difference! Whether you're a first-time college student or a parent getting your student ready for campus, I've rounded up my favorite dorm must-haves to ...
 
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This list includes the starter kit for college essentials. It was a good way to cover the basic needs. Hope this list helps.
College Dorm Starter Kit
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Bedding & Accessories

Sending my child off to college was a huge milestone, and my top priority was making sure their new dorm room felt just as warm and comfortable as home. Because standard dorm beds can be notoriously stiff, we spent weeks researching the perfect setup...
 
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We went with the color blue for my daughters dorm room. Accent colors cream, silver and gold. She loves her space and the comfort it brings.
DOWNCOOL Twin Comforter Set -All Season Bedding
 
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This pillow is perfect for late night studying or if the kiddos just needed to sit up to watch television.
Rainha® College Bedrest Reading Pillow - Cream
 
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The twin XL sheets just happened to be the standard size for dorms. Have a few sheets on standby weather it's a seasonal change or a simple laundry day.
Twin XL Sheet Sets
 
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My daughter loves her throw blankets. Yes she has several of them. Perfect for studying or just a having a simple chic look for herself.
Throws & Blankets for a Bed
 
SureGuard Twin Mattress Protector - Waterproof Cover
 
Twin XL Mattress Toppers & Inserts
 
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Perfect pillows for sleeping and sturdy enough for just simply lounging.
Dorm Pillows & Throws

Desk & Wall Decor

When my child moved into their dorm, the bare, concrete walls felt so cold. We wanted to transform the room into a warm, stylish sanctuary where they could actually relax after classes. This list features the exact damage-free wall hooks, cozy tapest...
 
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Every desk needs a desk lamp. Added bonus the kiddo is actually able to charge devices with the same light.
One Beat LED Desk Lamp Power Strip 3 Outlets 4 USB
 
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To be creative with decor, having some twinkle lights can always be a vibe.
Dorm Lighting
 
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More decor to be creative with some wall art. Let's explore to see what we're able to find.
Dorm Wall Decor
 
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The amount off essentials and non-essential items stacks up over time. You want your kid to be able to have a place to store these items. This cart is a perfect fit for their dorms.
Dorm Storage Carts

Campus Living

 
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Whew...my daughter couldn't decide what to take for fashion. So with so many pieces, these hangers were perfect for making the proper space in her closet.
Pants Hangers with Clips, 6 Tiers, 2 Pack
 
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Having the perfect water bottle to carry around campus is a must. You want to invest into something that will keep drinks cool and warm when needed.
Graduation Gifts, Water Bottles and Tumblers
 
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If your student is allowed to have a fridge then this is the perfect size. Check with your school first to confirm the allowed size, but this brand was a great pick.
Dorm Size Refrigerators for Small Spaces
 
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This was the perfect bag for my son in college. The bag lasted throughout his college tenure and he still uses it til this day. So of course I had to purchase another one for the next college kid.
Laundry Backpack For College Students
 
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This helps with multiple devices needing electricity(computer, lamp, chargers) etc. It's also a requirement for most college dorms.
Surge Protectors / Power Strips
 
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Nike brand book bags has always been the go to for my kids. They're very large in size, perfect protection for their laptops, and very strong and sturdy.
Backpacks. Nike.com

Health and Wellness

 
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Clean Clean Clean is a must with the college kids. They try to keep their exposure down when it comes to germs. This bundle wipes helps out tremendously especially during flu season.
Customer reviews for Lysol Disinfectant Wipes
 
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Bottomless stomach it seems with these kids. Keeping snacks on rotation for those late night studying, or weekend cocoon your college kid will be sure to thank you. 😊
(NEW) Dorm Room Snack and Meal Essentials SnackBOX
 
Humidifiers For Dorm Rooms
 
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Accidents happen...I wanted my child to be able to manage minor wound care if needed.
General Medi Mini 110-Piece First Aid Kit
 
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All college needs a shower caddy to keep all of their essentials together.
Portable Shower Caddies for Dorm
 
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Shower shoes also a must for the kiddos away at school. My daughter made sure to order several pair.
Shower Shoes for Dorm | Comfortable & Durable Options
 
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Old dorms I'm pretty sure has spores lingering. So the investment into a room air purifier was definitely added to our wish list.
Levoit, Air Purifier, 255 sq ft, HEPA, Aromatherapy
 
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Perfect to have for self care and check to be proactive and knowing when it's time to see a doctor.
Digital Health Thermometer