27 College Dorm Room Essentials: A Survival Guide For Your Freshman Dorm

Whether you are getting ready for your first year of college, or gearing up for your junior year, having everything you need to make your dorm feel like home is key. From bedding basics to organization must-haves, here’s how you can enhance your dorm living experience.

Imagine stepping into your college dorm after a long day of classes to a cozy bed with soft sheets. It’s equipped with a bedside caddy to keep all your belongings in reach while you relax and recharge. As you get ready to take a shower in the communal bathroom, you slip on your shower shoes to protect your feet from any germs and reach for your portable shower caddy that holds all your shower essentials.

Your room has everything you need to survive the semester. It’s perfectly functional and comfortable, a true ‘home away from home!’

YOU CAN SHOP THESE DORM ROOM ESSENTIALS BY CLICKING ON THE INDIVIDUAL ITEMS IN THE IMAGE BELOW

The Items You Need For A Comfy College Bed Setup

Let’s start with the bed essentials. A good night’s sleep is crucial for success in college, and it all starts with a comfy bed. Here are some must haves to transform your bed into the ultimate area for rest and relaxation.

Mattress topper: To make sure you are getting a good sleep, a mattress topper is an ESSENTIAL. Nobody wants to be sleeping on a hard, uncomfortable mattress the school provides all year.
Mattress pad: keep your mattress topper from slipping and sliding whale you sleep
Sheets
Bedside caddy– if you don’t have space for a full nightstand, a bedside caddy is the perfect for keeping your essentials within reach while in bed.

Essentials to Brave The Communal Bathrooms

Navigating communal or shared bathrooms can be a challenge, but with the right items it’s a breeze. Here are some must-haves to keep your communal bathroom experience clean and organized.

Portable Shower Caddy- keep your toiletries organized and transport your shower essentials to and from the communal bathrooms with ease.
Shower Shoes– protect your feet from any germs that may be living on the communal bathroom floor.
Towel Set– Having multiple body, face and hand towels can minimize the need for frequent laundry room trips. For me, 3 is the magic number.

Organization Essentials to Maximize Your Space

Dorm rooms are notorious for being small and crammed. The best way to make the most of your small space is to stay organized. Ditch the dorm room clutter with these organization essentials.

Closet organizer– Make the most of your small closet space!
Shoe Organizer– These handy organizers aren’t just limited to shoes…they are amazing storage companions, ideal for holding anything from socks and belts to cleaning supplies and hair accessories.
Velvet Hangers – hangers are a must-have. These handy hangers help your clothes from slipping and ending up on your closet floor.
Desk Hutch-a desk hutch can provide additional storage and keep your desk clutter free, making space for studying and other tasks.
Under Bed Drawer– use it to stash any extra belongings that didn’t fit in the closet and/or drawers provided by the school
Command Variety Pack– personalize your living space without damaging the walls. With the variety pack you can hang up anything from small posters and keys, to heavy bulletin boards.

The Essentials for a Squeaky Clean Space

Maintaining a clean space can help you live comfortably in a dorm room setting. These cleaning essentials will keep your space spotless, helping you tackle dirt, dust, bugs, and any unexpected messes with ease.

Insect Traps– Flies and gnats seem to thrive in a college dorm room. Keep the pests at bay with a no chemical insect repellent or trap
Tide sticks- Perfect for those mornings when you need to get rid of that coffee spill before rushing to class.
Multipurpose cleaner– wipe down everything from your desk to your floors to keep your room clean a comfortable living space
Dustbuster – easily clean up any spills and keep dust and dirt at bay

tidy and organized space with hanging clothes on closet rod

Overall essentials for Comfort, Convenience and Personal Style

When setting up your dorm room you want a space that is both comfortable and functional. Along with all of the other essentials we mentioned, here are some overall basics that will add touches of comfort, convenience, and personalization to your dorm living experience.

Convenience:

Extension cord– Power all your devices simultaneously and position your electronics and appliances wherever you need them.
Over the door mirror– perfect for easy outfit checks before class. The over the door design helps save space while eliminating the need to drill holes or use adhesives to hang it up.
Brita– always have access to clean fresh water and eliminate the need for single use water bottles.
Easy to Transport Laundry Basket– Conveniently carry laundry to and from the laundry room, no matter how far it is from your dorm room

Dorm Room Decor:

Rug (non fluffy)– cover up the cold hardwood or dirty tile floor. (tip: stay away from white rugs as they show more dirt and grime).
Bulletin/ Dry Erase Board- Hang up your favorite photos, and jot down all your tasks and reminders. A bulletin/dry erase board is the perfect way to personalize your room.

Atmosphere:

Diffuser- While candles are off limits at most colleges, essential oil diffusers are a must. Refresh your space with fun and fresh scents, all while adhering to dorm room regulations.
Fan– Most college dorm rooms can get pretty hot during the warmer months whether your dorm has AC or not. Beat the heat with a fan!
Himalayan salt lamp– Overhead dorm lights can be harsh. These lamps give off warm cozy light, transforming any space into a warm and welcoming place. Plus they can add a cute touch to your room.
Airpods– at the end of a long day, sometimes you just need to zone out with some meditative music or white noise to focus while studying. Airpods are always a hit!

When getting ready to set up your dorm room, it’s crucial to have everything you need to live comfortably. From organization tools to mattress toppers and Britas, these items will transform your dorm room into the perfect place to study, relax and thrive throughout your school year.