The MEGA List of 100 Dorm Room Essentials Every Student Needs – 2022

Before you send your student off to college - consider helping them sign up for a PrimeStudent account.

This was greatly beneficial for my own kids.

We were limited in car space when moving them up to school - so it was really nice that they could order bigger and bulkier items once they got there.

A PrimeStudent membership also makes it easy for them to buy items that they need while they are at school - especially if they don't have a car on campus.

PrimeStudent starts off with a generous 6 month free trial that you can't beat.

You can see the full list of benefits of Amazon Prime for college students here.

When it comes to doing laundry, Tide Pods are super convenient.

If you are hauling an already heavy and overflowing hamper or laundry basket down to the laundry room - the last thing you want to do is add a heavy bottle of liquid laundry detergent to your load.

Your student can simply grab a Tide Pod or two instead and be on their way to the laundromat.

A slim profile single serve Keurig coffee maker is essential for coffee fanatics.

I love this particular model because it has a water reservoir and is still a slim profile.

Space is usually tight in most dorms so the slim design is a must.

Extra k-cups go hand in hand with a Keurig coffee maker.

Coffee is the fuel that some college students run on and disposable coffee cups make it easy for them to make a brew and head to class.

And while reusable coffee cups are the better option - they are not always practical.

Kids often leave their dorms in the morning and are out all day. They are likely lugging around enough stuff and don't need to be burdened with an empty mug after they finish their morning java.

Also, as a parent, if you don't want to fund lots of Starbucks, buying a stack of disposable hot beverage to-go cups with lids and a single serve Keurig machine can save you money in the long run.

One thing that college kids need is trash bags.

Whether they are in a dorm or in an apartment they will need garbage bags to hold those late night pizza boxes and all those paper plates that go with.

Some students don't mind overflowing trash bins - but having bags on hand may encourage them to be a little more neat.

If you have space in the car - it is a good idea to throw in some rolls of paper towels.

It is likely that once you arrive at a college dorm or apartment, you will want to do some light cleaning before moving all of your student's stuff in.

And once you drop them off - your students will be set for a little while before they need to buy more.

Some colleges provide microwaves in the dorms - but if yours allows them but does not provide one, this Nostalgia Retro microwave is a really cute option.

Your college years are a perfect time to use something fun like this.

As I mentioned before - you need paper plates for those late night pizza runs.

This set of paper plates, in particular, is nice because they are also microwave safe, so your student can grab a quick bite before they head out the door.

I am still trying to wrap my head around the concept of a portable washing machine. How things have changed since I was in college!

If your student has the space to store it, and your college allows then it might make a nice addition to your dorm room.

You certainly cannot do all your laundry in a small washing machine like this - but it would be perfect for small loads like under garments and socks.

Simply use a drying rack to hang dry.

And if your student is in an apartment, this portable washing machine unit is a bit larger but has a dryer in it as well. Just be sure to check the electrical requirements.

Assorted plastic cutlery is also in demand in college dorms.

I sent a few pieces of stainless steel forks, knives, and spoons with my kids - but they used the disposable stuff more.

It made more sense when friends stopped by or if they packed a quick snack - like yogurt etc - to eat in between classes.

Ziploc gallon size storage bags are not just for food - although they are great for leftovers.

Use them to store things like school supplies or any collections of small items.

Since college kids are always eating on the go a box of sandwich bags will definitely come in handy.

These are great when you want to toss a little cereal or some pretzels in your backpack to eat between classes.

If your college does not provide a refrigerator - this mini fridge is an option. It also comes in lots of colors!

One thing to keep in mind is that refrigerators (even mini ones) are pretty big and heavy. They take up tons of space in the car.

So, if your student needs one - you might want to consider having it shipped directly to them at school.

Don't forget the facial tissues!

Even if your student doesn't use them all that much at home - somehow at college things are different.

These are useful for things like removing makeup - and of course for blowing noses. When kids live in close quarters it is inevitable that they will catch a cold at some point.

Despite all of the disposable utensils on my list of dorm room essentials - my kids actually did have regular dishes, mugs, cups, and cutlery - especially when they started living in an off campus apartment.

These scrub sponges make sense for washing dishes but they also have other uses like for cleaning the bathroom.

You can't wash dishes without dishwashing liquid.

I always send some up from home to get them off on the right foot. I can just imagine the dirty dishes piling up until they manage to head to the store to buy some for themselves.

First - keep in mind that some dorms do NOT allow irons.

But if yours does, or your student is in an off campus apartment - then a small iron can come in handy - especially when getting ready for interviews or career center events.

The safest way to use an iron is to pair it with an ironing board.

Since space might be at a premium - this little tabletop version can do the trick.

Simply fold it away when not in use.

If irons in the dorms are a no-no, this portable handheld clothes steamer may be a better option for getting the wrinkles out.

It's small enough to tuck away into a closet and pull out when needed.

While many dorms have bright overhead lights, it is always nice to have a desk lamp with more directed light.

This is perfect for when you are studying late into the night and your roommate has already gone to sleep.

I like that this particular LED desk lamp folds away when not in use and has different brightness levels as well.

Homemade popcorn make late night studying sessions and movie nights so much more fun.

This microwave silicone popcorn maker has a collapsible bowl for easy storage and comes in a TON of colors.

Just be sure to check your dorms rules on making microwave popcorn.

Back when I was in college, my hot pot was my go to dorm room appliance. We made lots of “gourmet” boxed mac and cheese and of course, Ramen noodles.

Now I think that many dorms do not allow hot pots - so be sure and check the rules.

If allowed this one from Proctor Silex could be a good option.

A microwave cover is one thing that no one thinks about but it's definitely essential

Without one, your student's dorm microwave is sure to be covered on the inside with food spatter. And how often will that get cleaned?

This collapsible version is nice because you can tuck it into a drawer when not in use.

Instead of disposable hot cups, your student might prefer using a stainless steel travel mug for their morning coffee.

These to go mugs from Contigo are leak proof as well, so they will keep your beverage hot and are much easier to handle while on the go.

You might be tempted to skimp on a vacuum cleaner for your child's dorm room or apartment.

But I sent my daughter to school with this Shark stick vacuum and I have to say that the whole entire floor appreciated having a substantial vacuum that was powerful and actually worked well.

Since my daughter has long hair, the self cleaning brush roll and no hair wrap feature was very important.

Some dorm rooms are not air conditioned.

For those hot days in the fall and spring a slim profile box fan is key.

It is easy to store when not in use and pull out when needed.

At home my kids are always making protein shakes and smoothies.

So they really appreciate being able to continue the practice at college with this Nutri Ninja compact personal blender.

Foldable fabric storage bins can be used when needed and easily tucked away when not.

These are great for storing smaller articles of clothing, like under garments, socks, bathing suits, etc.

You can place them on shelves in a closet or get a cube shelf organizer to use as a dresser.

This versatile modular wire cube organizer can be used as a bookshelf, as clothing/sweater storage shelves, or even as a place to to keep your fabric storage bins (just make sure to measure to confirm that your bins will fit).

I used a similar one in the nursery when my first child was born to store toys and books. We used in various capacities throughout the years until my second child took it to his apartment while at college.

It was one of the most used pieces of "furniture" that we have owned.

Raising a dorm bed can provide much needed storage space under the bed.

These heavy duty bed risers have USB and outlets built in - which is nice if the room itself does not have a power outlet in close proximity to where your student sleeps.

One thing to look out for is the style of bed frame that is in the dorm room.

Some older beds actually have six feet - so in that case you would need a second set of risers.

If your student likes to study while sitting in bed, a lap desk can be very useful.

I like this one because it has storage holes for things that tend to roll around and get lost - like pens and - yes, your phone.

A reading pillow (formerly referred to as a husband pillow) is also helpful for studying while sitting propped up in bed.

Initially, my daughter did not want to take this to college, but she ended up using it a ton!

It is always helpful to have a full length mirror at college.

But you don't want to put holes in the wall to hang it.

This mirror hangs over a door so it's easy to put up and take down. Hang on the entrance door or a closet door - wherever it makes the most sense.

A foldable storage ottoman does triple duty in a dorm room.

Obviuosly they are great for storage - but they also work well for extra seating and as a quick step stool to help you get up onto a high bed that is sitting on bed risers.

If you happen to be the lucky one to inhabit the top bunk at college, you might find it hard to function without a nightstand.

This little bedside shelf can be a quick fill in to give you a spot to put your eyeglasses or your phone when you sleep at night.

No matter how safe your college is - it always gives you extra peace of mind if you can lock up your valuables.

Use this slim design college dorm safe to secure your laptop, electronics, jewelry, and important papers.

Like the storage ottomans mentioned above, this college steamer trunk can also do triple duty.

Use it for storage, seating, and for a boost up to a lofted bed.

The nice large size makes it useful for when moving in or out, and the wheels are helpful because something this size can be very heavy when full.

This storage trunk comes in lots of colors, too!

A combination lock is a good thing to have at college.

Use it to lock up your trunk or your locker at the gym.

Some dorms even have a built in drawer that can be secured with a combination lock - which can eliminate the need for a safe.

I personally like this model of combination lock because you can set your own easy to remember combination.

You hope your student will never need it, but it is always nice to have a First Aid Kit on hand just in case.

Instead of buying each item individually, I like that there is a small sampling of more common bandage, gauze, and wound care items included in this kit.

Depending on where your child goes to school - severe downpours can make getting to class an ordeal.

A sturdy, windproof umbrella can make the rain more manageable - and it can easily be stowed in a backpack for days when the weather is a bit iffy.

My daughter was lucky enough to be in a dorm with sufficient drawer space.

But although there were a good amount of drawers - they were longish in size, so everything inside would roll around and get messed together.

Using drawer organizers made it easy to compartmentalize wide drawers and keep things inside neat and tidy.

Storing costume jewelry at college can be challenging. There is not a lot of surface space (dressers and shelves) for traditional jewelry boxes or stands.

This hanging jewelry organizer is a huge space saver as it hangs vertically on a closet rod and has lots of pouches to sort your baubles.

Be sure to keep your valuable jewelry locked up safely - but this is great for your everyday stuff.

When friends come to visit, it is nice to have an inflatable air mattress on hand.

This twin size one comes with sheets, a pillow, and a pump - so you have everything you need for overnight guests.

Bathrooms in residence halls vary quite a bit. Some have a shared bathroom for the entire floor, others are shared by residents of a suite, and a lucky few get their own private bath.

Typically, toilet paper is provided in the dorms but it doesn't hurt to a few extra rolls on hand, just in case.

And if you are in an off campus apartment, then the toilet paper provisions are usually all up to you.

A shower caddy makes it easy to tote your shampoo, conditioner, and other toiletries to and from the bathroom.

The mesh style is nice because it allows air to circulate and dry off any items that might be damp from the shower.

A travel soap case is also nice for use in the dorms.

It keeps your wet bar of soap from getting all over the other items in your shower caddy.

While you could send your kids to college with any old towels from your linen closet - it is nice to make a fresh start with new towels.

This set is nice because it contains two bath towels, hand towels, and wash cloths and a floor mat.

I got each of my kids their own set of towels before they headed off to their freshman year. The expectation is that the towels would last at least the four years of college if not longer.

Truth be told, I think I still have one of my own college hand towels to this day.

It's a sign of the times that we now have to send our kids off to college with hand sanitizer.

Even if they are good at hand washing - their friends might not be.

It doesn't hurt to have a pump sitting by the door and a "rule" to sanitize before you enter.

Kids in the dorms can go through hand soap pretty quickly - especially if they have a shared bathroom situation.

Since washing up is really important, I did not mind providing extra hand soap pumps, in case they ran out.

Years ago, when my daughter went to camp at a college campus, I threw an old bath mat into her luggage as an afterthought.

At first she thought I was being sooooo extra.

But it turned out that she had a private bathroom shared with just one roommate. The college did not provide a bath mat and the roommate did not bring one.

So, in the end, my daughter was so happy that we brought one, because it truly beat stepping out of the shower onto a slippery floor.

These next few bathroom items make more sense for an off campus living situation than for the dorms.

It is important to proactively have a bathroom plunger with cover on hand before you need it!

Need I say more?

I really like this toilet brush with under rim brush better than a traditional toilet cleaning brush.

It makes it easier for anyone, not just students, to get that gross under rim part of the toilet spic and span.

If you need a toilet brush then you also likely need toilet bowl cleaner to go with.

Not to overdo it - but if your student needs a little more motivation to keep the toilet clean, then you might want to consider a toilet cleaning system like this one.

It really can't get easier than this!

These disinfectant wipes have too many uses to count and they definitely make cleaning easier.

Whether your student is in the dorms or in an apartment, these will come in handy.

A collapsible laundry hamper for college is a must.

My daughter stored hers under her lofted bed so it was out of they way yet easily accessible.

On wash days she would either tote the whole thing down to the laundry room or dump the contents into a collapsible laundry basket and carry that down instead.

This one comes in a bunch of different colors.

If you share a bathroom it is more hygienic to wear flip flops in the shower.

But you want to make sure that the ones you choose do not become slippery when wet.

These flip flops from Showaflops have non slip soles and unique drainage holes to keep the moisture away.

My go to cleaning solution is Windex as it works on so many different types of surfaces.

Sending a bottle of this up to college with your student will help them to keep their dorm room clean.

A small broom and dustpan set is good for small spills or for when you don't want to pull the vacuum out - like at night or when you are in a rush.

Even if you don't use a bathrobe at home, it should be on your list of dorm room essentials.

When you use a shower in a shared bathroom you will need something to coverup with that will absorb water quickly.

You can slip this on and then head back to your room to change for the day.

The beds in most dorm rooms are Twin XL. This bedding set includes everything you need to outfit a Twin XL mattress - a sheet set, a comforter, and a pillow sham at an affordable price.

I was always hesitant to invest a lot in freshman bedding because I knew that when the kids move to off campus housing, the bed size might be different - and then you would need to buy all new bedding once again.

It comes in lots of different colors and patterns, too.

To make it easy for my kids, I usually bought a set of extra sheets as well.

This way, when one set was in the laundry, they could go ahead and make their bed with the fresh sheet set.

And if something spilled on their sheets, they would have a clean set ready to go, in case they didn't have time to do laundry right at that minute.

I like to encase that questionable dorm mattress in a zippered mattress cover. It protects the mattress from you and also protects you from the mattress.

Make sure you pick the right cover for the depth of your mattress.

Pillows in dorms can get pretty dirty. Considering that the beds often double as couches, the pillows see a lot of use.

So, it is nice to send your student to college with a pillow that they can throw in the washing machine if the need arises.

If your student's pillow is not washable (or even if it is) a pillow protector is also a nice addition to their bedding items.

These are waterproof, bed bug proof, and hypoallergenic - so they will help to extend the life of the pillow.

The mattresses in a dorm room are often not very comfortable. At best they can be a bit too firm and at worst they can sag.

You never know what you are going to get.

So, a cushiony mattress topper can add some comfort to your students sleep.

Part of living in the dorms is the fun of decorating them.

Get a colorful wall tapestry to cover up drab paint and make the room more lively.

The cold, hard floor in a dorm can get super dusty and makes it really hard to get out of bed on winter mornings.

Adding a fluffy rug makes the room feel more like home.

This one comes in many sizes and colors.

One tip is to measure the distance between the two dorm beds - if that is the style room that you have.

You only need a rug that is big enough to cover the floor area that is exposed - you don't necessarily need the rug to extend under the beds, unless you want it to.

One thing that I have found when it comes to suite style dorm rooms or even furnished off campus apartments is that there tends to be a lack of adequate seating in the common area or living room.

Given the temporary nature of college living, you certainly don't want to invest in nice furniture to supplement what is already there.

So, adding a few comfy a few comfy folding chairs chairs can be a happy medium.

These are nice in that they fold up for easy transport when it is time to move and they provide extra seating for friends when they stop by.

I'm not sure it a few strings of LED fairy lights would be really considered "essential" but they are certainly a fun way to decorate a dorm room.

My daughter liked the ones with the clips for photos (she uses a Fuji Film Instax) and loves to display pictures of both her college and high school friends.

The trash cans that come in dorm rooms seem woefully small to me.

Unless your kids plan to take the trash out every day, a second garbage can can be useful.

If you find that the room garbage is actually adequate, you can use the second one to collect recyclables instead.

You don't need anything fancy - just a regular open can should suffice.

Call me old fashioned - but I still prefer writing with my Ticonderoga #2's.

If your student still prefers wooden pencils over mechanical (or should I say if the even still use pencils at all?) then a battery powered pencil sharpener will keep them nice and sharp.

If math is your student's collegiate future then a good graphing calculator is a must.

Your student may still have one from high school, so make sure it is in good working order and send lots of spare batteries - or upgrade to something new.

Another dorm room must have is a power strip surge protector (or 3!) - and bonus if it has USB charging ports built in.

Older dorms, especially, tend to have very few wall outlets - so a power strip is not only necessary for charging all the electronics, but using one that is also a surge protector will help keep the devices safe from electrical surges.

An Amazon Echo Dot can be pretty useful to a student.

You can use it to set reminders, wake you up in the morning, time your study sessions and your presentations, use it as a speaker for your phone and so much more.

And if you have a vexing question you can run it by Alexa.

Kids use their phones all day long. If they are away from their room for most of the day, it is possible that they will run low on battery.

A portable charger is a quick fix and ensures that they can stay powered up even if they are not near an outlet.

Stocking up on lightning cables and/or USB cables in different lengths is not a bad idea.

Depending on the location of the wall outlet or power strip, you made it to span quite a distance.

I know that I use several sizes in my home - so I imagine that the kids would find it helpful to have a few different choices as well.

This one is a bit of a splurge - but even if your student has a laptop, an Apple iPad can still be very useful.

When used with the Apple Pencil, an Apple iPad becomes a great note taking device and it is much easier to tote around than a big stack of paper notebooks.

It also is great for watching movies, reading e-Books, and finding entertainment to unwind to.

Back in the day people would lug big TV sets to college (I never had one) so I suppose this is the modern day version.

These wireless on ear headphones can be a bit more comfortable than ear buds.

And when you are in a long Zoom session or watching a recorded video in the library - you don't want to be disturbed and you don't want to disturb anyone else.

There are a lot of brands and features to choose from as well.

Sometimes you want to play music for all to hear. If you don't have an Echo Dot that can do double duty as a speaker, this portable speaker from Anker will do the trick.

When choosing a backpack for college, be sure to get one that has a built in padded sleeve for your laptop, Apple iPad and other electronics.

It doesn't hurt to invest in a good water resistant laptop sleeve as well - sometimes your backpack can soak through on rainy days and you want to keep your laptop as protected as possible.

A charging station like this one can keep desk clutter to a minimum.

If you are heavily into Apple products this Belkin charger for iPhone, Apple Watch, and Wireless Airpods (the ones that charge wirelessly) is pretty sweet.

A good desk pad is both decorative and functional. It can give you a nice smooth writing surface while also dressing up your room.

Despite having a calendar on my iPhone, I still like using a traditional paper planner and colorful pens for planning.

My favorite planner company - Erin Condren makes a nice Academic Planner to help organize your classwork.

If you tend to print out a lot of PDF's and documents, then use a 3 hole punch to corral your papers into a three ring binder.

Personally, I think letter boards are a lot more work than they are worth.

But they can be used to display cute motivational messages in your dorm room.

Nothing beats a white board for a good brainstorming session.

They are also useful to hang on your door to leave messages for your floor mates or roommate.

When it comes to pencils, I love Ticonderoga - still use them.

Highlighters are part of every college experience.

These Crayola Take Note! highlighters put a new twist on the traditional because they are erasable.

You can read my review of these erasable highlighters here.

Most colleges have plenty of places where you can go to print out your documents.

But if your student prefers the convenience of having a printer in their dorm room then look for one with a small footprint like this Brother All-In-One Inkjet.

Staying hydrated is an important part of staying healthy while at college.

If you are not comfortable drinking water right from the tap, a small Brita type pitcher will provide you with filtered water and won't take up too much space.

It might even fit in your mini fridge.

If you are sending a Brita up to college, your student will definitely need some replacement filters to go with.

I change the filter in our Brita at home every month because we use it a ton.

If your student wants something even more convenient - you can actually order Poland Spring water bottles and other brands on Amazon.

At first that might seem a bit lazy - but if your student does not have a car at college, it will be very hard to lug cases of water bottles from the store to the dorm.

Cereal is not just for breakfast.

It also makes for a good on the go snack.

This single serve variety pack offers a nice selection and the container doubles as a bowl if you want to add some milk.

The next few items don't bear a lot of description - they are just ideas for grab and go snacks that students can take to class or eat during late night study sessions.

This is another variety of trail mix.

Not gonna lie - just looking at this variety pack of snacks is giving me the munchies. There is enough here to share with friends.

Coming from a family with allergies, I never go anywhere without Benadryl.

This item is not limited to just Benadryl though. Be sure to send your child to college with all of his or her prescriptions and any over the counter medications that they might need.

I usually assemble a box with things like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, saline nasal spray, Mucinex, cold medication, multi vitamins, etc.

And finally - what is probably the most essential item on this list - a college staple - Instant Ramen!