Back to College: Dorm Room Essentials List

It's time to head back to college (unless you're attending for the first time, of course!). Whether you are in your freshman year or a seasoned pro, it helps to have a list of dorm room essentials to make moving in smoother. Each person needs slightly different things, but your general list should include items in storage and organization, cleaning, and stationery, among other categories. 

 

 

Storage and Organization 

Storage stuff belongs on any dorm room checklist. Think about laundry, bathroom supplies, food, school supplies, paperwork organization, etc. 

 

For example, laundry bins keep your room tidy and make it easier to haul clothes to and from the building's laundry room. A laundry hamper is also a must. Explore Wenko products for various options; they are great for college students, and hey, who says you need to sacrifice style? 

 

Meanwhile, clear food storage containers make it easier for you to pack lunches or leftovers and eat them the next day. 

 

Closet cubes come in various colors; you can use them to store undergarments, clothes, school supplies, or anything. They fold down for easy transportation and give you more storage space. Consider a hanging closet organizer to create new nooks and drawers for your clothes. 

 

Weathertight heavy-duty storage totes can keep moisture and air out of your storage bins if you have a hobby such as crafting or camping. If you live in an apartment or a dorm with flexible rules about bringing in furniture, then tall shelves and shelving units are a smart way to maximize the use of small spaces. 

 

Bathroom supply organization is also essential in a college dorm room, especially if you share a communal bathroom with 10 other students. Steel shower baskets with suction cups make it easy to separate your supplies from roommates'. You can easily use a caddy to transport shampoo, conditioner, soap, and more back and forth if you don't. Consider shower shoes to protect you from infections, so make sure you have an extra, shower-only pair of flip-flops. A bath mat can be a good addition if you have a bathroom in the suite. 

 

 

 

Cleaning  

Household, kitchen, bathroom, and floor cleaners can come in handy, especially if you live in an apartment instead of a dorm. Even in dorms, though, these cleaning supplies are great to have. For example, you can keep a handful of plates, cups, and utensils in your room and wash them with dish soap. 

 

If the hand soap in the dorm bathroom leaves much to be desired, you can easily use your own. Likewise, you can give the shower a quick scrub before using it. Finally, don't forget to include paper towels and a trash can on your college packing list to keep everything in order. 

 

  

Stationery 

Students should always have basic stationery and related items like pencil sets, binder clips, pens, pencil sharpeners, staplers, post-it notes, etc. Even if you're a primarily digital student, correction tape, pencil sharpeners, and staplers come in handy. 

 

 

Bedding and Home Decor 

You can still sleep in style and comfort even living in a college dorm. For instance, as part of your dorm checklist, you can include weighted blankets (twin, full, and queen), plush throws, memory foam leg pillows, mattress pads, mattress protectors or a mattress topper, and pillow protectors, and more. You may even want to consider a welcome mat in your room's doorway so you don't have to check out a dorm vacuum cleaner as often. 

 

One more thing: If you're driving to college or enjoy hiking and camping, pick up an emergency blanket. It helps you stay as warm as possible in freezing temperatures and is windproof and waterproof. 

 

While you probably will have a small space during college, you can incorporate wall decor elements into your packing list to give your room a personal touch. 

 

 

Kitchenware 

Kitchenware might not be helpful if you have a small dorm room, but some rooms and suites have kitchenettes. To that end, supplies include cutting boards, coffee filters, manual can openers, paring knives, to-go noodle bowls, ice cream scoopers, marble rolling pins, ice cube trays, drying racks, and aluminum cookers. 

 

If nothing else, a water bottle or two should serve you well. It is more environmentally friendly than constantly buying disposable bottles. (It's cheaper, too!) To add a water bottle to your dorm room essentials list. 

 

 

Extension Cords and Surge Protectors 

Check if your dorm has rules about extension cords and surge protectors. There may be regulations, so buildings do not get overwhelmed with unprotected extension cords. However, they can damage a dorm's electrical system. 

 

An extension cord and surge protectors are valuable because they give you more options for using electronics. In addition, they protect your computers and other devices from storms, power outages, and other potential disasters. As a college student, you may have spent hundreds or thousands of dollars on laptops, tablets, and phones. Safeguard them the best you can. 

 

 

Fans and Cooling Essentials 

Depending on where you go to school and how modern the college's cooling technology is, portable fans may be necessary for you to stay cool. You can get turbo on-the-go fans, oscillating table fans, compact whole room air circulator fans, portable two-speed fans, and much more. When you venture outside your dorm, consider one-speed battery misting fans. 

 

 

Shop Our Selection of College Dorm Essentials Today 

At Max Warehouse, we offer storage and organization essentials, cleaning products, stationery-type items, bedding products, kitchenware, and more for your dorm life. Browse our selection today and join the Max Rewards program to have everything you need as you return to college. 

 

P.S. Tell your friends about us; everyone benefits with money off orders!

 

 

Shop Your Dorm Room Essentials Today