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The College Dorm Room Essentials You Need

  • Danielle Slauter
  • Aug 15, 2025
  • 3 min read
dorm room with desk - college dorm room essentials

Your helpful guide to the college dorm room essentials you need to pack.


Time to start prepping for another season of back-to-school shopping — featuring the chaos of moving into your dorm room.


Hate packing? Always overpack? We've got you covered.


This guide will be your Guardian Angel for packing, because what do you really need?


Clue: not your entire wardrobe and childhood stuffed animals (ok, maybe just a few).

Dorm rooms at college can be small. Don't expect a penthouse suite, the reality is more like a box room or jail cell — with the bare college essentials, i.e. bed and desk. You might even be sharing the room with a roommate, and the bathroom might be communal, too, *shudders*.


We've been to college, so look at us as your older, wiser sibling and take note of the college dorm room essentials you need to bring.


Your parents will be glad to not overpack the car...


College dorm room essentials


We've compiled a list of the college dorm room essentials you absolutely need to grab before you head off to college.


From cleaning to items to help you study, we covered everything. We've even included a list of stuff to go ahead and leave at home. Use this as a guide once you get in the store and start making purchases.


Bedroom essentials


Below is a list of the bedroom essentials you'll need for your dorm room (not including your personal bits like clothing):


  • Mattress cover

  • Mattress topper

  • Comforter

  • Sheets

  • Pillows

  • Pillowcases

  • Blankets (for extra coziness)

  • Mirror

  • Phone chargers, extension cords etc


Bathroom essentials


Bathing in college dorms is totally different to being at home; you'll most likely be sharing a communal bathroom space and won't have the luxury of an ensuite (unless you've managed to somehow find the goldmine).


The bathroom essentials to bring to college:


  • Shower caddy (to hold all your toiletries)

  • Shower shoes (shared bathroom floors can be gross)

  • Towels — face, hand, bath towels

  • Your own bathmat if you don't fancy sharing

  • Toiletries (obvious)

  • Bathrobe — no naked mishaps here


Student discounts:



Cleaning essentials


Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you'll need to clean up after yourself, in the bedroom and bathrooms. And you'll likely need to do your own laundry, too. Don't cry, we've all been there.


Make sure you bring these cleaning essentials to your college:


  • Multipurpose cleaner

  • Broom/dustpan

  • Antibac wipes

  • Laundry detergent

  • Drying rack

  • Paper towels

  • Laundry bag/basket

  • Cloths for cleaning


Study essentials


Don't forget you're going to college to study, and you need to make sure you're equipped. Read our tips for learning how to study in college.


Pack these study essentials and you'll be ready for college:


  • Colored pens for color-coding

  • Notebooks

  • Laptop/computer

  • Pens/pencils/erasers

  • Filing

  • Pencil case

  • Bag to take to classes

  • Desk lamp for late night studying

  • Sticky notes

  • Calendar or diary to keep on top of important assignment dates

  • Snacks — we've got the best snacks for finals week


For more help with your packing, check out our college school supplies list.


What NOT to take to college


You really don't need to pack everything you own for college. It's easy to overpack, but listen, you won't need half of the stuff you think you need.


Here's what not to take to college:


  • Big pieces of furniture — you do not need to bring your desk from home, do not even think about the couch

  • All your clothes — bring your most loved/worn outfits and seasonal pieces

  • Kitchen equipment

  • Pets (an obvious one but you never know)

  • Appliances with exposed heating elements like toasters


Temped to make a new life by the sea? We've got 16 colleges near the beach for sun-seeking students.


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All your favorite brands at your fingertips, from fashion and beauty to food and drink, available to college students aged 16 and over. Dive into our blog to find tips and advice to help you navigate student life, from applying to college to life after you graduate.

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