20 Dorm Room Essentials Every College Student Needs

There are few things more exciting than getting ready to go away to college! It’s an experience like no other – especially if you’re going to be living in a dorm. Making sure you have all the most important dorm room essentials before you go will help you make the most of your time while you’re there.

From décor and accessories to the perfect dorm room snacks, there’s a lot to remember. As you start to make your dorm shopping list, don’t forget these essential necessities.

Dorm Room Essentials to Keep You Comfortable

It’s easy to get a bit homesick when you’re living in a dorm, but setting your room up so it’s cozy and comfortable will help make the transition easier. Here are a few things you won’t want to leave home without:

1. Blanket

A cozy blanket will keep you warm at night and is perfect for curling up to watch your favorite movies on your days off. Choose one with a pattern you really love, and it will give your room some extra style as well.

2. Coffee maker

Early morning classes are so much easier when you have a coffee maker in your room. Plus, you’ll save a lot of money by not having to buy coffee every morning.

3. Coffee cups

Don’t forget to bring a couple of good-sized coffee cups with you! Plan to pick up one or two for your room and at least one that you can take with you when you head out for class.

4. Disposable plates and utensils

It’s always a good idea to have some paper plates and plastic utensils in your room so you can enjoy the occasional snack without having to worry about doing dishes.

5. Desk lamp

You’ll need good lighting to study, so it’s important to bring your own desk lamp. If your roommate doesn’t want the overhead lights on, this will also come in handy, but you still have work to do.

6. Earplugs

Dorms are sometimes noisy, making it difficult to sleep. Bring a pair of earplugs, and you won’t have to worry about your roommates keeping you up all night.

7. Desk fan

Not only will a desk fan help circulate air so your dorm room doesn’t feel stuffy, but the white noise it creates can also help you sleep.

8. Adhesive putty

You’ll probably want to hang some photos or posters on your walls, but most dorms don’t allow you to use thumbtacks since they leave holes behind. Bring a package of adhesive putty, and you’ll be able to decorate to your heart’s content.

Things to Help You Keep Your Dorm Room Clean

When you’re living in a small space with other people, things can get messy pretty fast! Adding these dorm essentials to your list will help keep things clean, organized, and smelling fresh:

1. Handheld vacuum

A small handheld vacuum is perfect for taking care of dry spills and doing quick clean-ups before your parents visit.

2. Room organizers

Since you’ll have to cram a lot of stuff into a small space, keeping things organized is critical! Spend some time picking out a variety of room organizers, and you’ll enjoy dorm life so much more.

4. Desk organizer

You’ll want a neat space to do your schoolwork, so don’t forget to get a desk organizer. This will keep everything you need right at your fingertips, so you won’t have to waste time searching for a highlighter or a pair of scissors when you need them.

5. Clothes hangers

There’s not much dresser space in a dorm, so hanging up your clothes is usually the best option. Bring plenty of extra clothes hangers, so you don’t get caught short.

6. Air freshener

Nobody wants to live in a stinky room! Air fresheners will help keep odors away. When selecting your air fresheners, make sure to choose scents you like and be careful not to get anything that smells too strong since it’s easy to overpower a small room.

7. Laundry bag

You’ll need a laundry bag to transport your dirty clothes to the laundromat (or home to mom!). Think about getting two, so you have one for your dirty clothes and one for clean ones, or make sure you have some fabric spray so you can get rid of odors before packing your clean clothes back in.

8. Shower caddy

A shower caddy will make it so much easier to carry all your essentials down to the shower every morning. This is by far one of the most important dorm room essentials.

Dorm Room Food Essentials

Not only will having some snacks in your dorm room make life more convenient, but it will also save you money. Stocking up on these dorm room food essentials will ensure you never go hungry:

 1. Snack packs

Variety snack packs are always a great idea. This way, you can choose different types of snacks you like and never get bored.

2. Beef jerky

Beef jerky is the perfect way to get some protein without having to cook. Plus, it stays good pretty much forever, which is always a bonus when you’re living in a dorm.

3. Ramen noodles

There’s a reason why ramen noodles have been a dorm room essential for decades. They’re cheap, easy to make, and tasty!

4. Microwavable mac and cheese

When you’re in the mood for the ultimate comfort food, it’s great to be able to warm up a package of microwavable mac and cheese and enjoy!

5. Snack bars

College students are always on the go, so it’s super convenient to toss a snack bar in your bag. Keep these on hand, and you’ll never have to run out the door without breakfast.

Shop for your dorm room essentials today!

As you start to make your list of things to buy for a dorm room, you might feel a bit overwhelmed. Don’t worry! Your Instacart shoppers have got your back. Use Instacart to start making your list. When you’re ready, an expert shopper will gather all your items and prepare them for you to pick up or deliver them right to your front door!

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