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If you're reading this, there's a solid chance you're about to head to college for the first time ever. And honestly? I'm so effing jealous of the friends you're about to meet, the experiences you're about to have, and memories you're about to make! The tiny dorm room with the twin XL bed, the fluorescent lights in the communal bathroom, and the crappy A/C (if you even have A/C at all) might not be ideal but they're all part of the college experience. And armed with the right college packing list, you'll be able to turn your shoebox room into something that feels like home.
When I moved into Room 1007 (aka my freshman year dorm) many years ago, my strategy for overcoming the concrete walls and linoleum floors was two-fold: maximize storage space and increase ~the vibes~. I've pulled together a list of essentials that'll de-drab-ify your dorm, from practical things like a mini-fridge to hold all your Diet Cokes, a cushy mattress pad for less squeaky sleep, and a shower caddy to transport all your hair products to fun items like a cute, washable rug and some posters for your wall.
Basically, this is everything you'll want to shop before you pack up the car and head for school. Good luck!!
No room for a nightstand? No problem. This bamboo shelf slides right over the side of your bed frame and has enough room for your laptop, a built-in cup holder, two USB ports for easy charging, and even a slot for your phone or tablet.
You know you're gonna be storing all the snacks and drinks you can get your hands on. Put 'em in this spacious mini-fridge that can hold a lot of half-eaten sandwiches and Snack Packs. Plus, it has an adorable retro design that won't cramp your style.
If you don’t have a caffeine addiction yet, chances are you will by the end of first semester. This retro machine makes it super easy to have access to a warm cup at all times—and saves you money on buying coffee in the long run.
Trust me when I say you'll be spending a LOT of time sitting in your bed that probably won't have a headboard, and resting your back against the wall just isn't it. I had one of these in college and got some serious mileage out of it.
Add a little warmth and color to your otherwise sad dorm walls with a cute set of posters. If you feel like putting on your HGTV hat and leveling up, you could even frame them all and turn it into a gallery wall!
Clean out your powder-covered makeup bag and trade it in for this gorgeous rotating cosmetics/skincare organizer. It'll hold all of your products and look so cute on your desk. You could even use it to organize your perfumes or jewelry!
If there was ever a time to buy a pack of new towels, heading off to college is it. This plush towels comes in two prints and will make your dorm showers feel so much more luxurious.
Speakers are great (when used at a chill volume, ppl!) for playing music while studying or getting ready for a GNO. This waterproof pick from JBL comes in a ton of different colors, like this darling baby pink.
PSA: Shower shoes are a must if you're going to be dealing with communal bathrooms. These cloud pillow slides get the job done, and they double as pool/beach shoes once school is no longer in sesh.
Why get boring, basic white hangers when you can get chic velvet ones equipped with better grip?? They're designed to handle up to 18 pounds, meaning they can handle your heavy winter coats with ease.
Dorm beds? Yeah, they're definitely not the comfiest things in the world. For an easy fix to make yours feel more plush, place a foam topper between the mattress and the fitted sheet.
Typically, you won't be allowed to light candles in your dorm room. Fire hazard and all! Instead, use this candle warmer to fill the room with a cozy ambiance and the scent of your choice, sans flame.
Utility hooks are arguably some of the most useful things to have handy in a dorm room, and Command hooks are a popular option since they require zero nails to install. Use them to hang lights, handbags, towels, kitchenware, and more.
Not that you need laundry detergent by fragrance brand DedCool, but it'll make your clothes smell so nice, and it'll look much nicer on your shelf than a gigantic plastic jug of neon detergent!
Waking up for class after a short night's sleep or an afternoon nap won't be that hard when you have this beautiful (and super modern!) alarm clock at your bedside. It also plays white noise and brown noise, to drown out the sound of someone blasting music down the hall at three in the morning.
Lugging your laundry down to the communal washing machines can be a real pain, which is why this wheeled basket is perfect for college and beyond. The lid will keep any less-than-lovely odors contained.
Believe me, you're gonna need a toolbox handy. Just trust. This set comes with everything from measuring tape and pliers to a wrench and adjustable screwdriver for hanging pictures, setting up furniture, and everything in between.
Whether you're FaceTiming your mom, filming content while out and about, or recording a video of your new squat record at the gym, this 32oz water bottle that doubles as a MagSafe phone stand will totally come in handy.
Not only is this best-seller affordable, but it’s also practical. In addition to, you know, providing light, it also acts as a charger, has five lighting modes, and turns off on its own after a certain amount of time (in case you happen to fall asleep while studying).
Outlets are a nightmare in small living space...because you almost always need more. This extension cord offers three extras plugs, as well as USB and USB-C charging ports.
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