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Are you or someone you know headed to college soon?
Besides nailing down your dorm room's aesthetic, you're probably getting ready for this next chapter by picking up sheets, pillows, a coffee maker, storage containers and other necessities. But, there's probably a few things that aren't on your priority list that you'll definitely want to have as you settle in your new home away from home.
To avoid a handful of trips to the store during move-in weekend, we rounded up dorm must-haves like shower shoes, dehumidifiers, portable laundry bags, extension cords & more things that you might forget to pack. Take it from us, making your parent drive across town several times on move-in day to the nearest department store is a real vibe killer.
For the dorm essentials you should add to cart stat, scroll below!
Dalykate Backpack Laundry Bag
One of the most inconvenient aspects of living in a college dorm is the laundry situation — chances are you'll probably have to travel down some floors, trek across the building, or even walk to another building to get your laundry in the washer. Save yourself the hassle of lugging a traditional laundry basket across campus with this convenient laundry bag, which you can carry like a backpack while also storing your detergent & more.
Open Spaces Laundry Hamper
If you're willing to invest a bit more, I highly recommend the Open Spaces Laundry Hamper. Beyond its sleek design that fits seamlessly into any dorm room (even with roomies), it features a top lid for discreet storage and a spacious interior. The removable drawstring bag inside comes equipped with handles and a shoulder strap, making trips to the laundry room effortless — even if it's on the other side of your dorm building.
Ticonn Extra Large Moving Bags - Pack of 6
In a word, move-in day can be described as chaos. If you're lucky, you might be able to score a moving cart. But, if you really want to minimize the number of trips you have to make to and from your car (amid the hoards of parents & other students), you'll want to have these durable moving bags with 29,100+ five-star Amazon reviews on hand.
Command Mixed Hooks Pack
Nails and push pins can be a no-no at certain colleges. Avoid the fines with these easy-to-use utility hooks to hang artwork, hats, and jackets while simultaneously brightening up your space with a cute pop of pigment.
Check out the full limited-time collection of colorful Command strip hooks here!
Lasko Oscillating Tower Fan
Not all college students have the luxury of air conditioning. So, come prepared with a quiet yet powerful tower fan that will keep the room from feeling like a sauna.
Coway Airmega 100 True HEPA Air Purifier
Moving into your dorm, you'll quickly notice the dust and stale air. The top-rated Coway Airmega 100 air purifier is your solution, featuring a True HEPA Filtration System that reduces 99.999% of 0.01-micron particles and 99% of odors and VOCs. With Auto Mode for real-time adjustments and Sleep Mode for restful nights, it keeps your air fresh and clean. Plus, the Air Quality Indicator and Filter Alerts make maintenance easy.
Corelle Vitrelle 28-oz Soup/Cereal Bowls - Set of 6
Take it from a former RA: please, don't be that person that causes the fire alarms to go off in your building because you didn't use microwave-safe dishes when making a midnight snack. Safe yourself the awkward situation by picking up this set of six bowls — they're chip-resistant, stain-resistant, microwave-safe, and dishwasher-safe.
Our Place Perfect Power Pot
The Perfect Power Pot is a must-have for dorm rooms, offering five-in-one functionality to sauté, steam, sear, fry, or boil without a kitchen. Ideal for campus life, it needs just a flat surface and an outlet to create delicious meals. With a high-performance nonstick coating and a nesting steamer for cooking multiple items at once, it's perfect for versatile, convenient cooking (you'll thank us when you're pulling late-night study sessions and that mac & cheese craving hits).
BeeGreen Reusable Grocery Bags - Pack of 6
College grocery trips can be quite the chore, especially without a car to transport your snacks and ingredients. These reusable grocery bags were a lifesaver for me in college — they fold down into pocket-sized squares and unfold to carry all my groceries back on the bus. Even with heavy loads, they never snapped.
ALDO Dilathielle Low Top Sneaker
Elevate your daily stride with the Dilathielle sneakers, designed for both style and comfort. Perfect for college students, these low-top cupsole sneakers feature a subtle gradient and a closed round toe, ensuring a standout look and stable support. With dual-density foam for impact absorption, memory foam for instant comfort, and strategic sock foam padding, they provide all-day cushioned support ideal for long walks across campus.
Shevalues Shower Shoes
One bathroom essential you definitely wouldn't think to get is shower shoes! Since you're likely to be sharing showers with tons of people, it is best to protect your feet from bacterial and fungal infections.
Atmu Mesh Shower Caddy
Speaking of which, a shower caddy is also a must-have for dorm living. There's nothing worse than having to haul your shampoo, conditioner, body wash and other shower must-haves across your floor to the bathroom. This organizer will help you tote everything with ease.
NY Threads Womens Fleece Hooded Bathrobe
Save yourself the trouble of shuffling from the dorm bathroom to your room wrapped in a breezy towel (or uncomfortably changing in the shower stall) by wearing this fleece bathrobe. It has 33,600+ five-star reviews on Amazon, with multiple shoppers noting how comfy, warm, and plush it is; plus, the front pockets are great for carrying your phone, dorm room keys & other small essentials.
Eli & Elm Ultimate Side Sleeper Pillow
I can't stress enough how crucial a good pillow is for college dorm life. As a fellow side sleeper, I highly recommend this one. It's crafted to alleviate neck pain with its ergonomic shape, features a removable cover, and boasts an adjustable loft zipper with shredded latex noodle fill.
Explore Eli & Elm's full stellar pillow collection here!
KIND Breakfast Bars
For the days when you snooze your alarm one too many times or are stuck in back-to-back discussion sections on campus, these KIND bars will be your hangry antidote. Packed with heart-healthy almonds, dark chocolate, and sea salt, these gluten-free bars offer a delicious, crunchy pick-me-up. With six grams of protein, a good source of fiber, and only five grams of sugar, they’re a convenient, nutrient-dense option for busy days.
Genevieve Mid-century Modern Wide Boucle Swivel Accent Arm Chair
As someone who lived in a dorm for all four years of college, one of the shopping regrets I have is not investing in a cute & comfy room chair. Hear me out: Your chair will be where you'll be spending most of your time in your room (hello, endless late-night study sessions). The chairs that come with the room are usually uncomfortable and definitely have been sat on by more strangers' butts than you can count. Plus, they're not stylish like this accent arm chair — it's available in seven colors that will totally upgrade your room's aesthetic and is designed to cradle your back with plenty of spacious seating area.
DampRid Hanging Moisture Absorber - Pack of 3
When you first walk into your dorm room, you'll probably notice how stale the air is — it makes sense, considering the windows have probably been closed for months and the buildings can be quite old. Rather than busting out air freshener that will just temporarily cover up the musty smell, eliminate the odors with these shopper-loved moisture absorbing packs.
Couchmaster CyBoss - Extra Wide Laptop Stand for Couch & Bed
Whether you're binging your favorite shows or tackling a midterm paper from the comfort of your dorm bed, the Couchmaster CyBoss is a game-changer. With a bamboo support surface to keep your tech essentials organized and within reach, plus built-in ventilation to keep your laptop cool during extended sessions, it's designed for ultimate comfort and efficiency. Ideal for both left- and right-handed users, the CyBoss also features handy side pockets and a cup holder for added convenience.
Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe
Upgrade your dorm setup with the HiRise 3 Deluxe charging dock. Covered in soft vegan leather and sleek black aluminum, it charges up to three devices in a single spot, saving space and decluttering your desk or nightstand. Adjust your iPhone's angle for a perfect view while it wirelessly charges on the 15W MagSafe pad, and use the built-in Apple Watch Fast Charger for convenient Nightstand Mode.
Oakywood 2-in-1 Headphones Stand
Or, if you often use headphones during study sessions, streamline your setup with this elevated-chic two-in-one stand. Handmade and coated with eco wax oil for a smooth, touchable finish, it enhances your desk's aesthetics while offering practicality with a secure smartphone charging base.
Explore Oakywood's full collection of sleek desk accessories to keep your space organized and stylish.
Double Stitch 100% Cotton Tufted Throw Blanket
From winter chills to midnight study sessions to last-minute guests, you'll be glad to have this cozy, handcrafted throw blanket on hand. Its vibrant, multi-colored tufted pattern adds a touch of modern boho charm to any dorm room, and it's also available in solid white and peach clay. Made from thick cotton yarns and OEKO-TEX certified for safety, it promises both enduring quality and exquisite softness.
General Medi 2-in-1 First Aid Kit (215 Pieces) + Mini First Aid Kit (43 Pieces)
Now that your parent won't be close by with their trusty first aid kit, you'll definitely want to get your own. This set comes with a 215-piece hospital grade kit and an additional 43-piece mini kit, so you can always stay prepared whether you're chilling in your room or traveling to your next class.
Simple Houseware Adjustable Closet Hanging Rod
Dorms are pretty tiny by default, and you certainly won't have the same amount of room to hang up your wardrobe (especially if you have roommates). Maximize your precious closet space with this genius wired vertical rod that hangs down and can be adjusted in one-inch increments.
Whitmor Hanging Shoe Shelves
On a similar note, you'll want to have this hanging shoe shelf on your packing list if you don't want to deal with a messy pile of shoes stacked up by your room's door. You can store up to eight pairs of shoes while saving floor space, or even use it to store small items like folded clothes, makeup, socks, underwear & more.
Maniscripting Journal
When you first move into a dorm and start the school year, establishing a routine and prioritizing self-care can be challenging. That's where the Maniscripting Journal comes in. Made to empower you with visualizations and goal-setting, it aims to activate your subconscious mind to achieve your aspirations. With insightful writing prompts, habit trackers, and monthly challenges, this guided journal helps you overcome limiting beliefs, set intentions, and manifest your dream life.
Mifaso 10-ft Long Flat Plug Extension Cord
When it comes to dorm rooms, the outlets are 1.) few, 2.) placed in inconvenient corners of the room, or 3.) all of the above. As such, we recommend picking up this 10-feet power strip that have three USB ports and six outlets to help you keep your devices charged. Plus, it comes with an on/off switch to help save energy and protect against overheating.
L'OR Barista Coffee & Espresso System
Don't sacrifice your daily coffee ritual just because you're in a dorm. The L'OR Barista is a sleek, compact machine that brings cafe-quality coffee and espresso to your fingertips, complete with a rich crema layer thanks to high-pressure brewing technology. With cold/hot beverage capabilities, automatic capsule recognition for easy brewing, and 30 free capsules included, this is an inveatment that will more than pay for itself during your college years and beyond.
Searching for more home essentials perfect for dorms, apartments, and beyond? Discover savings up to 75% off on Tempur-Pedic mattress toppers, Fire Sticks, and more great finds on Amazon — available now, even before Prime Day!
—Originally published Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021, at 5:00 a.m. PT.