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Your Ultimate College Dorm + Life Essentials List!
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items Starting college can be overwhelming, but I’ve made it easy! This list is packed with all the must-haves you’ll need to survive and thrive — from cozy dorm room must-haves to everyday life essentials. Whether you're moving in for the first time or lo...
Sections
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Dorm Room Organization
Everyday Essentials
Dorm Room Organization
This 3-tier rolling cart is perfect for all your snacks! It’s easy to organize, rolls smoothly wherever you need it, and is built to be sturdy and reliable.
Lexington 3-Tier Rolling Cart by Simply Tidy
I love this trash can—it's sleek, the perfect size for a dorm room, and totally budget-friendly. A dorm essential that checks all the boxes!
7.8gal Swing Top Waste Can Black - Brightroom™: Indoor Trash Bin with Lid, Textured Plastic, 21.375" Height
Love this basket for storing clothes, but it’s versatile enough to hold anything you need in your dorm. Great quality and perfect for keeping things organized!
Large Y-Weave Decorative Storage Basket Black - Brightroom™: Cut-Out Handles, 11 Inch Cube Compatible
Perfect for smaller items and anything you want covered! Pair it with the matching lid to keep everything dust-free and secure.
Medium Decorative Plastic Bin with Cutout Handles - Brightroom™
Super cute, sturdy lid that fits the Medium Decorative Plastic Bin with Cutout Handles. Perfect for keeping your items contained and organized!
Bamboo Lid with Cutout Handles - Brightroom™: Decorative Storage Bins, Natural Brown, 14.72" x 12.52", No Assembly Required
I love using this under-the-sink organizer for my cleaning supplies! Even without a bathroom cabinet, it fits perfectly in my closet and keeps all my cleaning and bathroom products neat and organized.
Two Tiered Slide Out Organizer Black - Brightroom™: Rust-Resistant Steel, No Assembly, Universal Storage Use
I have multiple packs of these hangers and absolutely love them! They're super budget-friendly, sturdy, and perfect if you like all your hangers to match—plus, you get 18 in a pack!
18pk Plastic Hangers Gray - Room Essentials™: Clothes Storage for Dresses, Skirts, Sweaters, Pants, Shirts
This was a must-have for me since I don’t have much closet space and needed a place for my shoes. It fits both pairs perfectly—though larger shoes can be a snug fit. Saves space and keeps everything together!
10 Shelf Hanging Shoe Storage Organizer Gray - Room Essentials™: Closet Rod Hanging Shoe Rack, Holds 10 Pairs, Fabric
This mini fridge is a dorm room essential! It features a separate freezer for your frozen items and a fridge section for everything else. The perfect size to meet most dorm requirements.
Kenmore 3.1 cu-ft Refrigerator - Black: Energy Star Certified, Mini Fridge for Dorm, Manual Defrost, Adjustable Shelves
A must-have—especially for late-night snacks! It’s the perfect size and meets most dorm requirements.
BLACK+DECKER 0.7 cu ft 700W Microwave Oven - Black - EM720CPN-P: Countertop, Small Dorm Microwave, Child Lock, 8 Programs
We wish we had this wagon this year—it would’ve made moving in and out so much easier! Perfect for move-in day and weekend trips home. As an overpacker, I had way too much to carry without it!
Collapsible Wagon - Embark™
This rolling hamper is perfect for taking your laundry to the laundry room or bringing clothes home. It’s super sturdy and holds a ton!
Home Logic Rolling Laundry Hamper White: Clothes Hamper with Wheels, Plastic, 18.63 Volume, Open-Top, 1 Handle
Perfect for staying cool in a lofted bed—especially if you don’t have AC! Also great for blocking out noise while you sleep.
6" Optimus Personal Clip-on Fan
Perfect if your college allows window AC units—this will keep you cool during those scorching summer days!
TCL 6000 BTU Window Air Conditioner Fan and Dehumidifier 250sqft Remote Control (H6W23W): 3 Speeds, 115V, 142 CFM
Everyday Essentials
An extension cord is a dorm room essential—and this one is perfect! It has multiple outlets to handle all your devices. Dorms usually have very few plugs, so this really expands your charging options.
GE 3-Outlet Grounded Extension Cord 15' Braided Cord Gray/White: Indoor Long Extention Cord, 16 AWG, 13 Amps, 15 ft
A mattress cover is a must—and this zippered protector is the best for peace of mind. It fully encases the mattress, keeping you protected from any unwanted ick!
Twin/Twin XL Waterproof Zippered Mattress Protector - Room Essentials™: Hypoallergenic, Polyethylene
I have this mattress topper—it's super comfy, budget-friendly, and arrived quickly!
LINENSPA 3 Inch Gel Memory Foam Topper - Twin XL
I love this fan—it keeps my room nice and cool, especially if you don’t have air conditioning!
IRIS USA WOOZOO Desk Fan with Remote, White
These plates are perfect for your dorm room—easy to clean, stack, and store!
10.5" Plastic Dinner Plate Light Gray - Room Essentials™: Microwave & Dishwasher Safe, Recycled Material
These bowls are perfect for ice cream, popcorn, or any late-night treat!
33.5 fl oz Plastic Cereal Bowl Light Gray - Room Essentials™: Microwave & Dishwasher Safe, Recycled Material
The perfect silverware set for your dorm room—simple, practical, and just what you need!
20pc Flatware Set Silver - Room Essentials™: Stainless Steel Silverware Set, Service for 4, Includes Forks, Spoons, Knives
Perfect for washing your dishes—a dorm essential for keeping things clean!
Dawn Platinum Powerwash Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap Spray - Fresh - 16oz
Essential for cleaning up spills and messes—I love all the scent options!
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Daisy Multi-Surface Cleaner - 16 fl oz
This 3-drawer unit is perfect for organizing pajamas, clothes, or any miscellaneous items. It’s sturdy, budget-friendly, and super handy for dorm living!
3 Drawer Medium Cart White - Brightroom™: Plastic Storage Drawers, Portable Utility with Casters, No Assembly Required
The perfect space-saver for your dorm! Just hang this mirror on your door and it’s good to go—takes up almost no space. I love using mine to get ready in the morning!
14.81" x 50.75" Over the Door Mirror White - Room Essentials™: Glossy Finish, Full Body Hanging, No Tools Assembly
These band-aids are both cute and practical—I love having them on hand for little ouchies!
Band-Aid Brand Flexible Fabric Bandages - Wildflower - Assorted Sizes - 30 ct
Super budget-friendly and just as effective as name brands. A must-have for pain or fevers while you're away from home!
Ibuprofen (NSAID) Pain Reliever & Fever Reducer Tablets - 200ct - up&up™
Another must-have medication staple—great for relieving pain or reducing fevers!
Tylenol Extra Strength Pain Reliever and Fever Reducer Caplets - Acetaminophen - 24ct
Essential if you're prone to heartburn—college cafeteria food can definitely trigger it, so having these on hand is a lifesaver!
Tums Extra Strength Antacid Smoothies Assorted Fruit Chewable Tablet 12ct
A thermometer is a dorm must-have to check for fevers—and this one is budget-friendly and reliable! Great to have on hand for yourself and your friends.
Fever Flash Thermometer - up&up™
If you’re sharing your thermometer, this is a must to help keep everyone’s germs away!
Juvale 100-Pack Disposable Digital Thermometer Probe Covers - Oral, Rectal, Armpit Temperature Reading Sheath Sleeves
If you have a lofted bed, this is a must-have! Getting into bed was a struggle until I got this—plus, it’s super helpful for those midnight bathroom trips!
Costway 3 Step Ladder Folding Step Stool 330lbs Capacity w/ Anti-Slip Pedal & Handle