Dorm Room Ideas & Essentials

May 1st, a.k.a. College Decision Day, has passed. The school year is coming to a close for many high school seniors across the country, and, over the next few weeks, you may notice large signs that point you towards the college supplies section at your nearest Target. This can only mean one thing: it’s time to start shopping for your dorm.

As a rising junior, I’ve spent the last two years in a dorm room. During my freshman year, I was lucky enough to be placed in the newest dorm on campus. I had air conditioning, I was steps away from the dining hall, there was an elevator in my dorm, I was on the first floor (which is perfect for moving in and out), and I had a single. However, I still wasn’t immune to power outages during snowstorms or a few bugs here and there during the warm weather. Then came my sophomore year, and, needless to say, my dorm was the polar opposite of what I had my first year. There was a thermostat in my room that did not work, and it was as if it was placed there to taunt me. Late August-late September, I watched the temperature on the thermostat slowly creep up: 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102. I had to keep three fans running simultaneously just to keep the temperature under 100. I was on the top floor, and, as you learn in all of your high school physics classes, heat rises. During the winter, the heat didn’t kick in until it was below 30 outside. After experiencing this, you can imagine how eager I was to finally leave for my own home.

Since I have had vastly different dorming experiences over the past two years, I wanted to create a list of things I consider ‘essential’ for my dorm room and recommendations for specific products.

1. Dolly – If you don’t live on the ground floor, you should purchase a dolly to make your move-in/out experiences a whole lot easier. This especially comes in handy when moving bulkier items like your mini fridge up or down the stairs. https://amzn.to/2Zhjvu4
2. Lysol – Dorm rooms are dirty. Very dirty. At the beginning of the year when I move in, I always spray the room with Lysol, and I keep it handy to use the rest of the year, especially around flu season. https://amzn.to/2UobkMM
3. Purell – This is good to have by the front foor of your dorm room to minimize any germs from outside invading your personal living space. https://amzn.to/3jXcgjH
4. Disinfectant wipes – In addition to spraying the room, I also wipe down each of the surfaces. I know I’ll be spending lots of time on my desk and putting my face products on the wardrobe, so I’m extra careful to wipe these down well.
5. Drawer liners – If you don’t want to spend time wiping down the inside of your drawers and want them to smell nice, I recommend buying drawer liners. They can also serve as alternatives to mothballs and act as a natural insect repellant, so your clothes are protected from dirt, bugs, and smell fresh! https://amzn.to/3cLwo3t
6. Drawer dividers – Dorm rooms typically don’t provide a lot of storage space, so I try to divide up the space that’s given to aid with organization. I find drawer dividers particularly helpful for organizing my clothes; these are expandable and will fit in any drawer, regardless of size. https://amzn.to/3cLwo3t
7. Airborne – When you live on campus with thousands of other students, use the same plates and utensils in the dining hall, and share the same showers in the dorms, you can easily catch whatever illness is going around. Airborne products are vitamin-c supplements which help boost your immune system; they have saved me from catching a cold, a fever, the flu, or the seasonal cough. As soon as I feel my throat getting even a little itchy, I take one of these, and it’s gone within a day or two. Since their products come in different forms – tablets or powder which mix into your drink, gummies, or chewable tablets – you can easily find one which suits your preferred intake method. I personally find the chewable tablets the most effective. https://amzn.to/3g1ES8G
8. Tea – If your throat feels sore, itchy, or hoarse, tea will always help soothe it. I particularly like this Throat Coat tea, and I mix in some honey for an added boost of flavor. https://amzn.to/2AzaXV8
9. Tissues – Whether it be seasonal allergies, illness, or a sad movie, I guarantee you that there will be times your tissue box will come to the rescue. I recommend these tissues with lotion, especially for those with sensitive skin and those with noses which are prone to redness. https://amzn.to/2zLJXl8
10. Water bottle – Fall or spring, morning or evening classes, midterms or finals season, you will need a water bottle all-year round. I highly recommend getting a vacuum insulated water bottle; this keeps your cold drinks cold for 48 hours and your hot drinks hot for 6 hours, so it’s perfect for ice cold water or hot tea! https://amzn.to/3dS8MKK
11. Oatmeal – I actually didn’t eat oatmeal much before college. My grandmother recommended that I eat this as a healthy late-night snack when I’m craving something sweet, and this has become one of my favorites! I like to mix two of the fruit oatmeals and top it with chia seeds and fresh fruit – typically bananas, apples, or strawberries. https://amzn.to/2VPx04G
12. Filing system – Regardless of what kinds of classes you’re taking, you will accumulate papers at some point during your college career. I recommend coming up with a system to organize your papers by class. Each semester, I give each of my classes its own section in my filing folder, and I rotate the papers out when I go home for break. Since I take four or five classes per semester and my filing folder has thirteen pockets, each class is designated two or three pockets – for homework, exams, and papers – depending on the number of courses I take. https://amzn.to/2ydfP1p
13. Power strips – People typically have more appliances than outlets. I plug a power strip into the wall outlet, and it turns the single outlet into 8. https://amzn.to/3bIt0Fr
14. Chair – The wooden chairs that are provided in dorm rooms can be really bad for your back. If you’re someone who spends a lot of time studying in your room, I would highly suggest purchasing a better chair. This chair provides back support, swivels, and rolls across the floor for easy maneuvering around your room. https://amzn.to/2AHY37x
15. Door draft blocker – You can easily slip this underneath your door in order to block out a draft, creepy crawlers, and noise from the hallway. https://amzn.to/2zSBxbK
16. Fan – You’ll likely need a fan during all points of the year. The most obvious months are August, September, May, and June (when the weather can be very warm); October-April can still have unpredictable weather, and the dorm temperatures won’t always adjust accordingly. Having a fan will help you take control of the temperature in your own room! This fan, though pricey, acts as a fan during the warm months, a heater during the cool months, and a purifier year round! https://amzn.to/3dZPZgM
17. Blankets – I recommend keeping this blanket around to keep you cozy and warm during the cold months. When you purchase dorm bedding, make sure they’re the correct size; most dorms have XL-Twin beds. https://amzn.to/3cLx491
18. Hangers – Instead of regular plastic hangers, I suggest purchasing more durable, slip-resistant velvet hangers. https://amzn.to/3cHPcAU
19. Pillows – After a long day of classes, working, and studying, you’ll definitely be needing a good night’s sleep. Make sure to buy pillows that will help you fall asleep comfortably and quickly! I personally prefer down pillows. https://amzn.to/36a7Yyp
20. Desk lamp – Most dorm rooms don’t have an adequate amount of lighting. Especially if you plan to work at your desk a lot, I recommend purchasing a desk lamp to make sure the lighting is conducive to a studying atmosphere. https://amzn.to/3bEyp01
21. Hamper – I suggest buying a breathable, mesh hamper to keep your dirty laundry in. https://amzn.to/36cLKMf
22. Storage bins – I think these are absolutely essential for organization and storage purposes. I have several of these under my bed and keep my cleaning supplies, snacks, utensils, and dinnerware here. https://amzn.to/2ZizxnQ
23. Flip flops – Since private bathrooms aren’t very common, especially during your freshman year, you’ll most likely have to shower in the same place everyone else on your floor does. Public bathrooms are filled with all kinds of bacteria, and you run the risk of catching infections and diseases if you shower without flip flops on. I recommend purchasing a pair which is made for the pool or dorm showers; these tend to be quick drying, anti-bacterial, and slip-resistant. https://amzn.to/2WISCO8
24. Shower tote – This is another essential product for organizing your shower supplies. A shower tote makes it easier for you to carry your shampoo, conditioner, soap, razor, towel, and anything else you might bring to the bathroom – all at once. Since this one is mesh, it dries quickly when it gets wet in the shower. https://amzn.to/2Tl4XWy
25. Wet brush – If you have long or medium-length hair like I do, you probably get frustrated trying to brush through your damp, tangled hair. This wet brush is designed to detangle your wet hair with minimal breakage. https://amzn.to/2zP57yC
26. Micellar water – Before you go to sleep, make sure you take off any facial products you wore throughout the day. If you don’t feel like heading to the bathroom to wash your face, you can take some micellar water on a cotton pad to wipe your face clean in the comfort of your own room. https://amzn.to/2VVLC2S

If there’s anything else you’d like to know, let me know in the comments below!

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