Before moving into college, I spent hours perfecting my college packing list. I did not want to forget anything and wanted to make my dorm my new cozy home away from home. This list covers both the obvious essentials and some optional yet incredible pieces that will make your dorm living situation 1,000 times better. Here are my top 35 dorm room must-haves:
1. Headboard
Finding a cute headboard was one of the first things on my dorm shopping list. Headboards elevate the dorm and make the small room feel cozy. A headboard keeps your pillow from shifting throughout the night and from falling behind the bed. It protects your wall, too. A twin-sized headboard can be found on multiple dorm decoration websites, and they are easy to install. Adding a headboard to your dorm bed will make the room feel put together and fancy.
2. Mattress Topper
Sleep is vital, especially in college. Make your nighttime experience more enjoyable and your sleep deeper with a plush mattress topper. Adding a mattress topper to your dorm mattress will help improve your mood and academic performance.
3. Storage Ottoman
Dorms are small, so you must make the most of the small space by utilizing different storage options. Storage ottomans can hold anything you want and double as a step stool to help you get onto your elevated bed.
4. Blankets
My dorm at UF is freezing. The recommended temperature is 60 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent the growth of mold and to keep the room from getting dusty. Blankets will keep you warm and comfortable.
6. Rug
Adding a rug to your college dorm will not only tie together your room decorations but also will add comfort and warmth to the space. The floors are cold, and the room can look a little bland without some extra color or a fun pattern.
7. Full-Length Mirror
It is essential to see your entire outfit before walking out of the door. Solve this problem by adding a floor-length mirror to your college room. My roommate and I purchased our mirror for under $10 from Target, and it is situated by our door so we can make sure we look presentable before leaving.
8. LED Makeup Mirror
The lighting in my dorm was not the best. Typically, the desks are far away from any natural light and the yellow overhead lighting can be harsh. Purchasing a small LED makeup mirror to go on your desk will help improve your makeup looks.
9. Underbed Storage
Once again, it is essential that you maximize the storage in your small room. By adding bins or plastic dressers, you will be able to bring so much more. It is important to think about where you will place your towels and bath necessities, snacks, winter clothes, duplicates of items and household needs.
10. Desk Organizers
Having a little cup to hold pens, pencils and a few folders will help keep your school supplies organized. You don’t want your desk to look cluttered. With all the textbooks, it can be hard to fit everything on our desks. Utilizing simple storage can make your desk look clean and allow you to easily access all of your school supplies.
11. Lamp
Sometimes the bright overhead light is not the vibe. Add a lamp to your desk or dresser to help improve the lighting situation.
12. Air Purifier
The rooms can get dusty, and an air purifier will be necessary for those with allergies. Air purifiers work to catch many allergens and other unwanted substances in the air. Since the same air is circulating through a bunch of dorm rooms, an air purifier can help prevent you and your roommate from getting sick.
13. Trash Can with a Lid
Since you’re only given one small trash can, purchase one with a lid for yourself to minimize the odor and keep your space looking clean.
14. Extension Chords
When you only have one or two outlets per person, having an extension cord for each outlet is vital. Remember, you must charge your electronics, appliances, hair tools and more. There is no such thing as too much charging space.
15. Headphones
Don’t be the roommate listening to TikToks out loud or having conversations on speakerphone while your other roommate is in the room. Use headphones. These will also be useful when walking to class.
16. Microwave
Get a microwave if you ever want to do basic cooking in your dorm room. Whether it is a cup of mac and cheese, popcorn, oatmeal, or a bowl of soup, a clean microwave can always be useful.
17. Mini Fridge
Speaks for itself. I purchased a mini fridge that also has a freezer section which has been so helpful since I love ice cream and eating frozen desserts.
18. Comfortable Room Shoes
The floors are freezing and can get really dirty fast so have a designated pair of shoes to wear around your dorm. These should be something easy to throw on when you have to walk out of your dorm to go to the bathroom, pick something up outside or walk to the dorm’s common area.
19. Cozy Loungewear and Sweatshirts
Don’t put your warm clothes to the side when moving to Gainesville, FL. The dorms can be icy cold. It is so nice to have comfortable loungewear and sweatshirts to throw on while spending time in your room.
20. Cleaning Products
Keep your space clean and smelling fresh with cleaning products. The rooms get messy quickly. Your air conditioning unit might get full of dust, and your floor can get full of dirt. Having a miniature vacuum, some Clorox wipes, a Swiffer and spray cleaners can help you and your roommate maintain a spotless room.
21. Medications and First Aid Supplies
Living near hundreds of other students, not getting enough sleep and lots of stress contribute to the common sicknesses on college campuses. According to Healthy Children, infections spread easily when you’re surrounded by so many people at all times. Colds, flu, strep throat, sinus infections, ear infections, Meningococcal Disease and Mononucleosis (“Mono”) are common illnesses (Healthy Children). You never know when you will get sick, so having medications on deck will be a lifesaver when you feel too sick to get some. It’s better to be prepared.
22. Closet Organization
There is a bunch of space above my closet, so I have 5 bins that are full of off-season clothing, cleaning supplies and other miscellaneous items. Also, it can be easy to forget the obvious, so remember to pack hangers.
23. Shower Curtain and Rod
To keep your room looking organized, conceal the disaster in your closet with a shower curtain. The shower curtain is a lifesaver when you have so much laundry or when your clothes are a mess.
24. Drying Rack
For items not supposed to be placed in the dryer, purchase a drying rack to hang your clothes. It is so helpful to have a designated place to hang your clothes because there are not many options in the small room. Drying racks can fold and are not typically very bulky.
25. Large Laundry Bag
You won’t want to do laundry that often so do yourself a favor and buy a large enough laundry bag to hold your clothes. Laundry in the dorms can be a pain because it takes a lot of time. Having a large laundry bag will allow you to go a little longer in between washes.
26. Towel Wrap
Towel wraps help you not have to struggle down the hallway holding your towel up in soaking-wet shower shoes with a shower caddy. They are functional and stylish too.
27. Jewelry Box
Getting a jewelry box to hold all your accessories is key to having untangled accessories. My jewelry box is on top of my desk and holds all of my earrings, bracelets, necklaces, perfumes, belts and sunglasses. This will keep all of your cute accessories organized.
28. Shoe Rack
Dorm closets are compact and typically come with only one clothes rack which is not a lot of storage. Shoe racks can be inexpensive, easy to set up and store 20 pairs of shoes. To maximize your hanging space, place a shoe rack at the bottom of your closet.
29. Drawer Liners
This one isn’t the most necessary suggestion, but drawer liners can help keep your items clean in the older furniture. The drawer liners ensure that my clothes are staying clean and fresh.
30. Command Strips
I don’t know if it was just me and my roommate, but everything we hung up on our walls would fall. Having plenty of Command Strips at any given time was helpful in keeping our room nicely decorated.
31. Plates/Bowls and Silverware
You will eat in your dorm, so it is nice to be stocked with essentials.
32. Plastic Bags and Bag Clips
Plastic bags are perfect for packing, storing left over food and holding miscellaneous items. Bag clips are also useful because they will keep your snacks fresh.
33. Paper Towels and Tissues
Once again, dorms are messy, and college students are always sick.
34. Lock Box
Consider packing a lock box to protect your items if you bring any valuables. Lock boxes can make you feel confident that your items are safe.
35. Extras
It is so convenient to stock up on toiletries, cleaning products, snacks and other items that you might run out of quickly. Having a designated bin full of “extras” can be life-saving when you randomly run out of toothpaste or need more deodorant.
Overall, it is important to be organized when packing for college, but it is also important not to stress out too much about bringing the right things. You can still buy what you forget or realize you need after you move in. As time goes on and you begin to adjust to dorm life, you will know exactly what you need. I hope this list of 35 must-haves helps you and eases your transition to dorm life.