The Ultimate Shopping List for Your Dorm

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Just in time for back to school shopping, here is a list of everything you'll need in your college dorm! This is amazing, amaryllismoon! —Sparkitors

General:

• Paper plates, paper bowls, napkins, paper towels, plastic silverware
• Water bottle and travel coffee mug to bring to classes (I recommend a Tervis! I have one and it’s awesome…it keeps drinks hot AND cold, whoa!)
• Sandwich and snack baggies for leftovers, and snacks to munch on in classes
• Cups, mugs, and plastics bowls and plates (at least 2 of each item)
• Water pitcher and filters (depending on the water quality, you will definitely want one of these because it’s cheaper than buying water bottles constantly)
• Coffee Maker
• Mini fridge
• Toaster/Toaster Oven (check safety regulations to see if you’re allowed these)
• Microwave
• Mattress protector
• Mattress pad
• Foam topper
• Bed set (Fitted sheet, flat sheet, comforter, pillow, bed throw). It might come with a bed skirt—mine did—but you will find you probably won’t use it because you use the area under your bed for storage and that will just get in the way.
• Body pillow
• Armchair pillow
• Bedside caddy—a thing to go between your bed frame and mattress to use for a nightstand because you won’t have room for one if you’re in a standard dorm room
• Alarm clock/iHome
• Floor lamp (I kept mine behind my bed for extra lighting because dorm lighting isn’t that great. I also used it when I would read before bed.)
• Garbage can
• Desk lamp
• Light bulbs
• Desk calendar—either in dry erase form on wall next to desk or actual monthly calendar to lay on top of your desk. I preferred the dry erase because it left me more room on top to use for studying.
• Bulletin board and push pins and magnets (I like magnetic!)
• Surge protector
• Flash drive
• Audio recorder
• Drawer organizer. You will realize there will never be enough drawer space so you want to make the most of the little that you have.
• Bookends
• Door mirror (check to see if your dorm comes with one)
• Area rug (especially if your room is carpeted)
• Window panels/blinds (if not supplied)
• Frames and posters. Command Strips will become your best friend!
• Floor cushions/back rests for entertaining
• Towels (at least four)
• Washcloths (at least eight…you will be surprised how often you use them)
• Hand towels (at least two)
• Bath sponge
• Shower shoes. Old flip flops that you won’t wear for anything else would work just fine…that’s what I did.
• Bathroom caddy. I used a plastic one with holes in it so that the water rinses through it; make sure it is big enough to hold your shampoo/conditioner, body wash, and soap.
• Laundry basket
• Hair dryer/straightener
• Robe
• Slippers
• Drying rack (for bras and sweaters that can’t go in the dryer)
• Stepping stool
• Toothbrush holder (travel one)
• Cleaning supplies (vacuum, Swiffer wet/dry mop, laundry detergent, Febreeze, Lysol spray and wipes, dish soap)
  

This all depends on what type of dorm you end up in:

• Shower curtain/liner/rod/rings
• Tub/bath mat
• Under-bed storage. Used one for food, one for extra bedding and blankets, and one for movies and board games.
• Shoe storage (I used one that hung inside my closet to save space)
• Storage cart/chest for craft/project things, and top drawer for first-aid stuff. (Mine was three drawers.)
• Bed lifts
• Small tool kit
• Hangers. I use the Slimline ones because they are sturdy and flat so you can fit a lot more in your closet!
• Laptop lock
• Crates. I used one to keep all my school binders in, and a second one to store my shower stuff when not in use.

Is amaryllismoon missing anything? What do you recommend?

Related Post: The Drama of Choosing a Dorm Room