This post may contain affiliate links, which is where I will receive a small commission if you buy from the link. At no extra cost to you! For more information please read the full disclosure here.
Shopping for university/college is so tedious and very pricey. Which is why I wanted to make your life so much easier by curating a list full of DORM ESSENTIALS. I have split all the dorm essentials into different categories, to make your life that little bit easier!
When it comes to dorm room items, I suggest investing a bit more money to make sure everything lasts you until you finish uni. You really don’t want to be buying the same things every year!
Before I get started, I’ve even made you a free University packing list PDF full of dorm essentials and more! I have also included a BONUS printable full of items you would need to buy for your first bulk grocery store shop.
THE DORM ESSENTIALS COME UNDER THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES…
- BEDDING
- BATHROOM
- DESK
- KITCHEN
- BEDROOM
- WARDROBE
- SCHOOL SUPPLIES
BEDDING ESSENTIALS:
1. MATTRESS TOPPER
An essential, if you are looking to amp up your sleeping experience! Not to mention, you have no idea what has been laying on the mattress, so it is perfect to create a barrier between you and the mattress.
2. DUVET
I’m sure you won’t forget a duvet, but make sure you check the tog so you aren’t too hot or too cold!
WHAT DOES TOG MEAN?
Tog is a scale of warmth. The higher the tog rating, the better the duvet holds heat!
QUICK TIP: I SUGGEST BUYING A DOUBLE BED DUVET. THIS WILL GIVE YOU MORE COMFORT AND IT DRAPES PERFECTLY WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR BED.
3. PILLOWS
Who knew there were so many pillow choices, memory foam, microbeads, feather, buckwheat. My head was seriously spinning! I just chose a basic one but I made sure it was firm, to give me the most support.
4. BEDDINGS
Beddings are one of my favourite ways of personalising your dorm room. However, my go-to is all white!
QUICK TIP: DON’T FORGET TO BUY BEDSHEETS AS THEY DO NOT COME WITH YOUR BEDDINGS
BATHROOM ESSENTIALS:
1. TOWELS
Another necessity (I hope!) It’s best to spend a little more money on towels if you want them last longer and of course, be soft. The best place to get towels is from either Amazon and TkMaxx/ Homesense.
DON’T FORGET TO BUY: BODY AND FACE/ HAND TOWELS!
2. SHOWER MAT
I get really funny when it comes to the cleanliness of showers. Although we did a thorough clean, I still wanted a shower mat. An added bonus is that it prevents you from slipping and you don’t need to spend much at all!
3. BATH MAT
I can’t be the only the one who hates wet floors, especially when I am wearing socks! Having a bath mat prevents all of these disasters AND they are available in so many colours so you can make your bathroom look cute too!
4. SUCTION SHOWER CADDY
If you have a lot of shower products, this is so handy! Dorm bathrooms usually don’t give you a lot of space, so this is essential! AND some come with hooks so you can hang your sponge and razor, creating even more space…who knew?
ADDS SO MUCH MORE STORAGE WHILST TAKING LITTLE TO NO SPACE!
5. SOAP DISPENSER
Now, this shouldn’t be on the top of your list, BUT don’t let that stop you. If you’re feeling a little extra (like me) pick your soap colour to match your bathroom colour scheme (it’s really the little things).
6. SMALL PEDAL BIN
Buying a bathroom bin is so easy to forget (luckily you have me to remind you), any small pedal bin will do.
DESK ESSENTIALS:
1. DRAW ORGANISERS
Organisation doesn’t end in the bedroom… your desk is equally as valuable. You don’t need to go too crazy here, draw organisers are simple and effective to help control the chaos.
2. MINI WHITEBOARD + MARKERS
As a fellow visual learner, these SAVED ME! I was able to write definitions and equations over and over again until I drilled it into my head.
3. DESK LAMP
Another dorm essential.. who would’ve guessed it. Some dorm rooms come with one, so please double check on your universities website.
4. LAPTOP STAND
A lifesaver on your back and neck! If you are going to be spending hours on your laptop writing essays, or in my case, lab reports, you NEED to invest in one.
KITCHEN ESSENTIALS:
One of my favourite parts of dorm room shopping! I have listed all the basics kitchen essentials that you would need.
1. PLATES
2. BOWLS
YOU MAY NOT THINK YOU WILL USE ALL 4 HOWEVER, IT IS BETTER TO HAVE MORE THAN LESS… THEY COULD SMASH OR YOU IT WILL BE HANDLE WHEN YOU COOK FOR FRIENDS
3. POTS AND PANS
4. CHOPPING BOARD
5. COOKING KNIVES
6. CUTLERY
QUICK TIP: GET CUTLERY THAT HAS HANDLES YOU CAN EASILY DISTINGUISH. YOU’D BE SURPRISED HOW QUICKLY CUTLERY GOES MISSING!
7. SIEVE
BEDROOM ESSENTIALS:
1. LARGE BLANKETS
Not only do they keep you warm, but they are also such an easy way to spice up your space or cover up ugly furniture!
2. MINI RUG
Rugs instantly make your room feel so much more cosy and comfortable, adding 1 or 2 in your room will transform it instantly!
3. THROW PILLOWS
One of my favourite ways to add my own touch to your space. You can place them on your bed, on your lounge chair, desk chair or you can create a comfy “me time” area in the corner of your room. GO CRAZY!
4. BEDSIDE LIGHT
You don’t want to damage your eyes reading textbooks in the dark or watching TikToks (both equally as productive) do we? Not all dorm room comes with a bedside light, Amazon has so many to choose from!
5. BEDSIDE TRAY/ ORGANISER
I was geeking over this when I discovered it! This bedside tray acts like a floating bedside table. Perfect to place your phone, glasses or your cup of tea.
6. OVER THE DOOR HOOK
You can never have too much storage, over the door hooks are perfect to hold your dressing gown, coats and your backpack.
7. BIN
As well as a small bathroom bin, another dorm essential is a bin for both your bedroom and your desk.
8. DRYING RACK
When you are picking the perfect drying rack, you need to make sure that it can be folded easily whilst taking little to no space. I refused to pay to dry my clothes because I could save the money or put it towards more clothes (shocker).
WARDROBE ESSENTIALS:
1. MAGIC HANGERS
Wardrobe space can be quite scarce, however, these magic hangers help you store so many more clothes on a rail!
2. DETACHABLE RAIL
Another way to add more space for clothes! I would wait till you get to university so you can see if you have space to add another rail, but how cool are they?
3. VELVET HANGERS
Prevents your clothes from slipping and sliding!
NEVER HAVE YOUR CLOTHES FALL OFF YOUR HANGERS AGAIN
4. SHELF HANGING ORGANISER
Store EVEN MORE clothes with this hanging shelf organiser (every girls dream).
5. DRAW ORGANISERS
Drawers need organising too! Drawer organisers are so useful to keep your underwear organised and separated.
ELECTRONIC ESSENTIALS:
SOME UNIVERSITIES ARE STRICT ABOUT BRINGING ELECTRONIC ITEMS, PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK THEIR WEBSITE!
1. EXTENSION CORD
You’d be surprised how randomly placed the plugs are! I love to have my phone charging nearby so I can have the flexibility to watch Netflix in bed. An extension cord is CRUCIAL if you want unlimited battery life to endlessly scroll through Instagram or TikTok (very guilty).
2. MINI FAN
Going to university in a hotter climate? You’re going to need a fan to keep you cool to get you through the heat.
3. MINI HEATER
Dorm rooms are so so cold during the winter, and to be very honest, you can never be too cosy. Mini heaters are perfect to keep you warm during the winter and you store it easily in spring/ summer.
SCHOOL SUPPLY ESSENTIALS:
FINALLY, the last few dorm essentials…the reason you are actually going to University! Here are my 6 school supply essentials, that I used to create organisation systems.
1. LARGE RING BINDERS
2. PLANNER
3. DISPLAY FOLDERS
4. PENS
THESE ARE MY FAVOURITE PENS! THEY HAVE THE PERFECT GRIP AND MAKES YOUR HANDWRITING LOOK SO GOOD!
5. COMPOSITION NOTEBOOKS
6. REFILL PAPER
And that’s it!
These were 40+ dorm essentials that you need as a foundation for building your own space. Feel free to buy more things, that I didn’t mention. This is solely a guide to help you not forget the important dorm essentials. Happy University shopping!
OTHER UNIVERSITY POSTS YOU WILL LOVE:
A twenty something year old, obsessed with all things design, organisation. want to learn more about me, click here.
Simi's fave resources
My Projects
TEMPLATE CUSTOMISATION
CUSTOM WEBSITE
WEBSITE AUDIT
This post may contain affiliate links, which is where I will receive a small commission if you buy from the link. At no extra cost to you! For more information please read the full disclosure here.
Shopping for university/college is so tedious and very pricey. Which is why I wanted to make your life so much easier by curating a list full of DORM ESSENTIALS. I have split all the dorm essentials into different categories, to make your life that little bit easier!
When it comes to dorm room items, I suggest investing a bit more money to make sure everything lasts you until you finish uni. You really don’t want to be buying the same things every year!
Before I get started, I’ve even made you a free University packing list PDF full of dorm essentials and more! I have also included a BONUS printable full of items you would need to buy for your first bulk grocery store shop.
THE DORM ESSENTIALS COME UNDER THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES…
- BEDDING
- BATHROOM
- DESK
- KITCHEN
- BEDROOM
- WARDROBE
- SCHOOL SUPPLIES
BEDDING ESSENTIALS:
1. MATTRESS TOPPER
An essential, if you are looking to amp up your sleeping experience! Not to mention, you have no idea what has been laying on the mattress, so it is perfect to create a barrier between you and the mattress.
2. DUVET
I’m sure you won’t forget a duvet, but make sure you check the tog so you aren’t too hot or too cold!
WHAT DOES TOG MEAN?
Tog is a scale of warmth. The higher the tog rating, the better the duvet holds heat!
QUICK TIP: I SUGGEST BUYING A DOUBLE BED DUVET. THIS WILL GIVE YOU MORE COMFORT AND IT DRAPES PERFECTLY WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR BED.
3. PILLOWS
Who knew there were so many pillow choices, memory foam, microbeads, feather, buckwheat. My head was seriously spinning! I just chose a basic one but I made sure it was firm, to give me the most support.
4. BEDDINGS
Beddings are one of my favourite ways of personalising your dorm room. However, my go-to is all white!
QUICK TIP: DON’T FORGET TO BUY BEDSHEETS AS THEY DO NOT COME WITH YOUR BEDDINGS
BATHROOM ESSENTIALS:
1. TOWELS
Another necessity (I hope!) It’s best to spend a little more money on towels if you want them last longer and of course, be soft. The best place to get towels is from either Amazon and TkMaxx/ Homesense.
DON’T FORGET TO BUY: BODY AND FACE/ HAND TOWELS!
2. SHOWER MAT
I get really funny when it comes to the cleanliness of showers. Although we did a thorough clean, I still wanted a shower mat. An added bonus is that it prevents you from slipping and you don’t need to spend much at all!
3. BATH MAT
I can’t be the only the one who hates wet floors, especially when I am wearing socks! Having a bath mat prevents all of these disasters AND they are available in so many colours so you can make your bathroom look cute too!
4. SUCTION SHOWER CADDY
If you have a lot of shower products, this is so handy! Dorm bathrooms usually don’t give you a lot of space, so this is essential! AND some come with hooks so you can hang your sponge and razor, creating even more space…who knew?
ADDS SO MUCH MORE STORAGE WHILST TAKING LITTLE TO NO SPACE!
5. SOAP DISPENSER
Now, this shouldn’t be on the top of your list, BUT don’t let that stop you. If you’re feeling a little extra (like me) pick your soap colour to match your bathroom colour scheme (it’s really the little things).
6. SMALL PEDAL BIN
Buying a bathroom bin is so easy to forget (luckily you have me to remind you), any small pedal bin will do.
DESK ESSENTIALS:
1. DRAW ORGANISERS
Organisation doesn’t end in the bedroom… your desk is equally as valuable. You don’t need to go too crazy here, draw organisers are simple and effective to help control the chaos.
2. MINI WHITEBOARD + MARKERS
As a fellow visual learner, these SAVED ME! I was able to write definitions and equations over and over again until I drilled it into my head.
3. DESK LAMP
Another dorm essential.. who would’ve guessed it. Some dorm rooms come with one, so please double check on your universities website.
4. LAPTOP STAND
A lifesaver on your back and neck! If you are going to be spending hours on your laptop writing essays, or in my case, lab reports, you NEED to invest in one.
KITCHEN ESSENTIALS:
One of my favourite parts of dorm room shopping! I have listed all the basics kitchen essentials that you would need.
1. PLATES
2. BOWLS
YOU MAY NOT THINK YOU WILL USE ALL 4 HOWEVER, IT IS BETTER TO HAVE MORE THAN LESS… THEY COULD SMASH OR YOU IT WILL BE HANDLE WHEN YOU COOK FOR FRIENDS
3. POTS AND PANS
4. CHOPPING BOARD
5. COOKING KNIVES
6. CUTLERY
QUICK TIP: GET CUTLERY THAT HAS HANDLES YOU CAN EASILY DISTINGUISH. YOU’D BE SURPRISED HOW QUICKLY CUTLERY GOES MISSING!
7. SIEVE
BEDROOM ESSENTIALS:
1. LARGE BLANKETS
Not only do they keep you warm, but they are also such an easy way to spice up your space or cover up ugly furniture!
2. MINI RUG
Rugs instantly make your room feel so much more cosy and comfortable, adding 1 or 2 in your room will transform it instantly!
3. THROW PILLOWS
One of my favourite ways to add my own touch to your space. You can place them on your bed, on your lounge chair, desk chair or you can create a comfy “me time” area in the corner of your room. GO CRAZY!
4. BEDSIDE LIGHT
You don’t want to damage your eyes reading textbooks in the dark or watching TikToks (both equally as productive) do we? Not all dorm room comes with a bedside light, Amazon has so many to choose from!
5. BEDSIDE TRAY/ ORGANISER
I was geeking over this when I discovered it! This bedside tray acts like a floating bedside table. Perfect to place your phone, glasses or your cup of tea.
6. OVER THE DOOR HOOK
You can never have too much storage, over the door hooks are perfect to hold your dressing gown, coats and your backpack.
7. BIN
As well as a small bathroom bin, another dorm essential is a bin for both your bedroom and your desk.
8. DRYING RACK
When you are picking the perfect drying rack, you need to make sure that it can be folded easily whilst taking little to no space. I refused to pay to dry my clothes because I could save the money or put it towards more clothes (shocker).
WARDROBE ESSENTIALS:
1. MAGIC HANGERS
Wardrobe space can be quite scarce, however, these magic hangers help you store so many more clothes on a rail!
2. DETACHABLE RAIL
Another way to add more space for clothes! I would wait till you get to university so you can see if you have space to add another rail, but how cool are they?
3. VELVET HANGERS
Prevents your clothes from slipping and sliding!
NEVER HAVE YOUR CLOTHES FALL OFF YOUR HANGERS AGAIN
4. SHELF HANGING ORGANISER
Store EVEN MORE clothes with this hanging shelf organiser (every girls dream).
5. DRAW ORGANISERS
Drawers need organising too! Drawer organisers are so useful to keep your underwear organised and separated.
ELECTRONIC ESSENTIALS:
SOME UNIVERSITIES ARE STRICT ABOUT BRINGING ELECTRONIC ITEMS, PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK THEIR WEBSITE!
1. EXTENSION CORD
You’d be surprised how randomly placed the plugs are! I love to have my phone charging nearby so I can have the flexibility to watch Netflix in bed. An extension cord is CRUCIAL if you want unlimited battery life to endlessly scroll through Instagram or TikTok (very guilty).
2. MINI FAN
Going to university in a hotter climate? You’re going to need a fan to keep you cool to get you through the heat.
3. MINI HEATER
Dorm rooms are so so cold during the winter, and to be very honest, you can never be too cosy. Mini heaters are perfect to keep you warm during the winter and you store it easily in spring/ summer.
SCHOOL SUPPLY ESSENTIALS:
FINALLY, the last few dorm essentials…the reason you are actually going to University! Here are my 6 school supply essentials, that I used to create organisation systems.
1. LARGE RING BINDERS
2. PLANNER
3. DISPLAY FOLDERS
4. PENS
THESE ARE MY FAVOURITE PENS! THEY HAVE THE PERFECT GRIP AND MAKES YOUR HANDWRITING LOOK SO GOOD!
5. COMPOSITION NOTEBOOKS
6. REFILL PAPER
And that’s it!
These were 40+ dorm essentials that you need as a foundation for building your own space. Feel free to buy more things, that I didn’t mention. This is solely a guide to help you not forget the important dorm essentials. Happy University shopping!
OTHER UNIVERSITY POSTS YOU WILL LOVE:
This post may contain affiliate links, which is where I will receive a small commission if you buy from the link. At no extra cost to you! For more information please read the full disclosure here.
Shopping for university/college is so tedious and very pricey. Which is why I wanted to make your life so much easier by curating a list full of DORM ESSENTIALS. I have split all the dorm essentials into different categories, to make your life that little bit easier!
When it comes to dorm room items, I suggest investing a bit more money to make sure everything lasts you until you finish uni. You really don’t want to be buying the same things every year!
Before I get started, I’ve even made you a free University packing list PDF full of dorm essentials and more! I have also included a BONUS printable full of items you would need to buy for your first bulk grocery store shop.
THE DORM ESSENTIALS COME UNDER THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES…
- BEDDING
- BATHROOM
- DESK
- KITCHEN
- BEDROOM
- WARDROBE
- SCHOOL SUPPLIES
BEDDING ESSENTIALS:
1. MATTRESS TOPPER
An essential, if you are looking to amp up your sleeping experience! Not to mention, you have no idea what has been laying on the mattress, so it is perfect to create a barrier between you and the mattress.
2. DUVET
I’m sure you won’t forget a duvet, but make sure you check the tog so you aren’t too hot or too cold!
WHAT DOES TOG MEAN?
Tog is a scale of warmth. The higher the tog rating, the better the duvet holds heat!
QUICK TIP: I SUGGEST BUYING A DOUBLE BED DUVET. THIS WILL GIVE YOU MORE COMFORT AND IT DRAPES PERFECTLY WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR BED.
3. PILLOWS
Who knew there were so many pillow choices, memory foam, microbeads, feather, buckwheat. My head was seriously spinning! I just chose a basic one but I made sure it was firm, to give me the most support.
4. BEDDINGS
Beddings are one of my favourite ways of personalising your dorm room. However, my go-to is all white!
QUICK TIP: DON’T FORGET TO BUY BEDSHEETS AS THEY DO NOT COME WITH YOUR BEDDINGS
BATHROOM ESSENTIALS:
1. TOWELS
Another necessity (I hope!) It’s best to spend a little more money on towels if you want them last longer and of course, be soft. The best place to get towels is from either Amazon and TkMaxx/ Homesense.
DON’T FORGET TO BUY: BODY AND FACE/ HAND TOWELS!
2. SHOWER MAT
I get really funny when it comes to the cleanliness of showers. Although we did a thorough clean, I still wanted a shower mat. An added bonus is that it prevents you from slipping and you don’t need to spend much at all!
3. BATH MAT
I can’t be the only the one who hates wet floors, especially when I am wearing socks! Having a bath mat prevents all of these disasters AND they are available in so many colours so you can make your bathroom look cute too!
4. SUCTION SHOWER CADDY
If you have a lot of shower products, this is so handy! Dorm bathrooms usually don’t give you a lot of space, so this is essential! AND some come with hooks so you can hang your sponge and razor, creating even more space…who knew?
ADDS SO MUCH MORE STORAGE WHILST TAKING LITTLE TO NO SPACE!
5. SOAP DISPENSER
Now, this shouldn’t be on the top of your list, BUT don’t let that stop you. If you’re feeling a little extra (like me) pick your soap colour to match your bathroom colour scheme (it’s really the little things).
6. SMALL PEDAL BIN
Buying a bathroom bin is so easy to forget (luckily you have me to remind you), any small pedal bin will do.
DESK ESSENTIALS:
1. DRAW ORGANISERS
Organisation doesn’t end in the bedroom… your desk is equally as valuable. You don’t need to go too crazy here, draw organisers are simple and effective to help control the chaos.
2. MINI WHITEBOARD + MARKERS
As a fellow visual learner, these SAVED ME! I was able to write definitions and equations over and over again until I drilled it into my head.
3. DESK LAMP
Another dorm essential.. who would’ve guessed it. Some dorm rooms come with one, so please double check on your universities website.
4. LAPTOP STAND
A lifesaver on your back and neck! If you are going to be spending hours on your laptop writing essays, or in my case, lab reports, you NEED to invest in one.
KITCHEN ESSENTIALS:
One of my favourite parts of dorm room shopping! I have listed all the basics kitchen essentials that you would need.
1. PLATES
2. BOWLS
YOU MAY NOT THINK YOU WILL USE ALL 4 HOWEVER, IT IS BETTER TO HAVE MORE THAN LESS… THEY COULD SMASH OR YOU IT WILL BE HANDLE WHEN YOU COOK FOR FRIENDS
3. POTS AND PANS
4. CHOPPING BOARD
5. COOKING KNIVES
6. CUTLERY
QUICK TIP: GET CUTLERY THAT HAS HANDLES YOU CAN EASILY DISTINGUISH. YOU’D BE SURPRISED HOW QUICKLY CUTLERY GOES MISSING!
7. SIEVE
BEDROOM ESSENTIALS:
1. LARGE BLANKETS
Not only do they keep you warm, but they are also such an easy way to spice up your space or cover up ugly furniture!
2. MINI RUG
Rugs instantly make your room feel so much more cosy and comfortable, adding 1 or 2 in your room will transform it instantly!
3. THROW PILLOWS
One of my favourite ways to add my own touch to your space. You can place them on your bed, on your lounge chair, desk chair or you can create a comfy “me time” area in the corner of your room. GO CRAZY!
4. BEDSIDE LIGHT
You don’t want to damage your eyes reading textbooks in the dark or watching TikToks (both equally as productive) do we? Not all dorm room comes with a bedside light, Amazon has so many to choose from!
5. BEDSIDE TRAY/ ORGANISER
I was geeking over this when I discovered it! This bedside tray acts like a floating bedside table. Perfect to place your phone, glasses or your cup of tea.
6. OVER THE DOOR HOOK
You can never have too much storage, over the door hooks are perfect to hold your dressing gown, coats and your backpack.
7. BIN
As well as a small bathroom bin, another dorm essential is a bin for both your bedroom and your desk.
8. DRYING RACK
When you are picking the perfect drying rack, you need to make sure that it can be folded easily whilst taking little to no space. I refused to pay to dry my clothes because I could save the money or put it towards more clothes (shocker).
WARDROBE ESSENTIALS:
1. MAGIC HANGERS
Wardrobe space can be quite scarce, however, these magic hangers help you store so many more clothes on a rail!
2. DETACHABLE RAIL
Another way to add more space for clothes! I would wait till you get to university so you can see if you have space to add another rail, but how cool are they?
3. VELVET HANGERS
Prevents your clothes from slipping and sliding!
NEVER HAVE YOUR CLOTHES FALL OFF YOUR HANGERS AGAIN
4. SHELF HANGING ORGANISER
Store EVEN MORE clothes with this hanging shelf organiser (every girls dream).
5. DRAW ORGANISERS
Drawers need organising too! Drawer organisers are so useful to keep your underwear organised and separated.
ELECTRONIC ESSENTIALS:
SOME UNIVERSITIES ARE STRICT ABOUT BRINGING ELECTRONIC ITEMS, PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK THEIR WEBSITE!
1. EXTENSION CORD
You’d be surprised how randomly placed the plugs are! I love to have my phone charging nearby so I can have the flexibility to watch Netflix in bed. An extension cord is CRUCIAL if you want unlimited battery life to endlessly scroll through Instagram or TikTok (very guilty).
2. MINI FAN
Going to university in a hotter climate? You’re going to need a fan to keep you cool to get you through the heat.
3. MINI HEATER
Dorm rooms are so so cold during the winter, and to be very honest, you can never be too cosy. Mini heaters are perfect to keep you warm during the winter and you store it easily in spring/ summer.
SCHOOL SUPPLY ESSENTIALS:
FINALLY, the last few dorm essentials…the reason you are actually going to University! Here are my 6 school supply essentials, that I used to create organisation systems.
1. LARGE RING BINDERS
2. PLANNER
3. DISPLAY FOLDERS
4. PENS
THESE ARE MY FAVOURITE PENS! THEY HAVE THE PERFECT GRIP AND MAKES YOUR HANDWRITING LOOK SO GOOD!
5. COMPOSITION NOTEBOOKS
6. REFILL PAPER
And that’s it!
These were 40+ dorm essentials that you need as a foundation for building your own space. Feel free to buy more things, that I didn’t mention. This is solely a guide to help you not forget the important dorm essentials. Happy University shopping!
OTHER UNIVERSITY POSTS YOU WILL LOVE:
A twenty something year old, obsessed with all things design, organisation. want to learn more about me, click here.
Simi's fave resources
My Projects
TEMPLATE CUSTOMISATION
CUSTOM WEBSITE
WEBSITE AUDIT
This post may contain affiliate links, which is where I will receive a small commission if you buy from the link. At no extra cost to you! For more information please read the full disclosure here.
Shopping for university/college is so tedious and very pricey. Which is why I wanted to make your life so much easier by curating a list full of DORM ESSENTIALS. I have split all the dorm essentials into different categories, to make your life that little bit easier!
When it comes to dorm room items, I suggest investing a bit more money to make sure everything lasts you until you finish uni. You really don’t want to be buying the same things every year!
Before I get started, I’ve even made you a free University packing list PDF full of dorm essentials and more! I have also included a BONUS printable full of items you would need to buy for your first bulk grocery store shop.
THE DORM ESSENTIALS COME UNDER THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES…
- BEDDING
- BATHROOM
- DESK
- KITCHEN
- BEDROOM
- WARDROBE
- SCHOOL SUPPLIES
BEDDING ESSENTIALS:
1. MATTRESS TOPPER
An essential, if you are looking to amp up your sleeping experience! Not to mention, you have no idea what has been laying on the mattress, so it is perfect to create a barrier between you and the mattress.
2. DUVET
I’m sure you won’t forget a duvet, but make sure you check the tog so you aren’t too hot or too cold!
WHAT DOES TOG MEAN?
Tog is a scale of warmth. The higher the tog rating, the better the duvet holds heat!
QUICK TIP: I SUGGEST BUYING A DOUBLE BED DUVET. THIS WILL GIVE YOU MORE COMFORT AND IT DRAPES PERFECTLY WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR BED.
3. PILLOWS
Who knew there were so many pillow choices, memory foam, microbeads, feather, buckwheat. My head was seriously spinning! I just chose a basic one but I made sure it was firm, to give me the most support.
4. BEDDINGS
Beddings are one of my favourite ways of personalising your dorm room. However, my go-to is all white!
QUICK TIP: DON’T FORGET TO BUY BEDSHEETS AS THEY DO NOT COME WITH YOUR BEDDINGS
BATHROOM ESSENTIALS:
1. TOWELS
Another necessity (I hope!) It’s best to spend a little more money on towels if you want them last longer and of course, be soft. The best place to get towels is from either Amazon and TkMaxx/ Homesense.
DON’T FORGET TO BUY: BODY AND FACE/ HAND TOWELS!
2. SHOWER MAT
I get really funny when it comes to the cleanliness of showers. Although we did a thorough clean, I still wanted a shower mat. An added bonus is that it prevents you from slipping and you don’t need to spend much at all!
3. BATH MAT
I can’t be the only the one who hates wet floors, especially when I am wearing socks! Having a bath mat prevents all of these disasters AND they are available in so many colours so you can make your bathroom look cute too!
4. SUCTION SHOWER CADDY
If you have a lot of shower products, this is so handy! Dorm bathrooms usually don’t give you a lot of space, so this is essential! AND some come with hooks so you can hang your sponge and razor, creating even more space…who knew?
ADDS SO MUCH MORE STORAGE WHILST TAKING LITTLE TO NO SPACE!
5. SOAP DISPENSER
Now, this shouldn’t be on the top of your list, BUT don’t let that stop you. If you’re feeling a little extra (like me) pick your soap colour to match your bathroom colour scheme (it’s really the little things).
6. SMALL PEDAL BIN
Buying a bathroom bin is so easy to forget (luckily you have me to remind you), any small pedal bin will do.
DESK ESSENTIALS:
1. DRAW ORGANISERS
Organisation doesn’t end in the bedroom… your desk is equally as valuable. You don’t need to go too crazy here, draw organisers are simple and effective to help control the chaos.
2. MINI WHITEBOARD + MARKERS
As a fellow visual learner, these SAVED ME! I was able to write definitions and equations over and over again until I drilled it into my head.
3. DESK LAMP
Another dorm essential.. who would’ve guessed it. Some dorm rooms come with one, so please double check on your universities website.
4. LAPTOP STAND
A lifesaver on your back and neck! If you are going to be spending hours on your laptop writing essays, or in my case, lab reports, you NEED to invest in one.
KITCHEN ESSENTIALS:
One of my favourite parts of dorm room shopping! I have listed all the basics kitchen essentials that you would need.
1. PLATES
2. BOWLS
YOU MAY NOT THINK YOU WILL USE ALL 4 HOWEVER, IT IS BETTER TO HAVE MORE THAN LESS… THEY COULD SMASH OR YOU IT WILL BE HANDLE WHEN YOU COOK FOR FRIENDS
3. POTS AND PANS
4. CHOPPING BOARD
5. COOKING KNIVES
6. CUTLERY
QUICK TIP: GET CUTLERY THAT HAS HANDLES YOU CAN EASILY DISTINGUISH. YOU’D BE SURPRISED HOW QUICKLY CUTLERY GOES MISSING!
7. SIEVE
BEDROOM ESSENTIALS:
1. LARGE BLANKETS
Not only do they keep you warm, but they are also such an easy way to spice up your space or cover up ugly furniture!
2. MINI RUG
Rugs instantly make your room feel so much more cosy and comfortable, adding 1 or 2 in your room will transform it instantly!
3. THROW PILLOWS
One of my favourite ways to add my own touch to your space. You can place them on your bed, on your lounge chair, desk chair or you can create a comfy “me time” area in the corner of your room. GO CRAZY!
4. BEDSIDE LIGHT
You don’t want to damage your eyes reading textbooks in the dark or watching TikToks (both equally as productive) do we? Not all dorm room comes with a bedside light, Amazon has so many to choose from!
5. BEDSIDE TRAY/ ORGANISER
I was geeking over this when I discovered it! This bedside tray acts like a floating bedside table. Perfect to place your phone, glasses or your cup of tea.
6. OVER THE DOOR HOOK
You can never have too much storage, over the door hooks are perfect to hold your dressing gown, coats and your backpack.
7. BIN
As well as a small bathroom bin, another dorm essential is a bin for both your bedroom and your desk.
8. DRYING RACK
When you are picking the perfect drying rack, you need to make sure that it can be folded easily whilst taking little to no space. I refused to pay to dry my clothes because I could save the money or put it towards more clothes (shocker).
WARDROBE ESSENTIALS:
1. MAGIC HANGERS
Wardrobe space can be quite scarce, however, these magic hangers help you store so many more clothes on a rail!
2. DETACHABLE RAIL
Another way to add more space for clothes! I would wait till you get to university so you can see if you have space to add another rail, but how cool are they?
3. VELVET HANGERS
Prevents your clothes from slipping and sliding!
NEVER HAVE YOUR CLOTHES FALL OFF YOUR HANGERS AGAIN
4. SHELF HANGING ORGANISER
Store EVEN MORE clothes with this hanging shelf organiser (every girls dream).
5. DRAW ORGANISERS
Drawers need organising too! Drawer organisers are so useful to keep your underwear organised and separated.
ELECTRONIC ESSENTIALS:
SOME UNIVERSITIES ARE STRICT ABOUT BRINGING ELECTRONIC ITEMS, PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK THEIR WEBSITE!
1. EXTENSION CORD
You’d be surprised how randomly placed the plugs are! I love to have my phone charging nearby so I can have the flexibility to watch Netflix in bed. An extension cord is CRUCIAL if you want unlimited battery life to endlessly scroll through Instagram or TikTok (very guilty).
2. MINI FAN
Going to university in a hotter climate? You’re going to need a fan to keep you cool to get you through the heat.
3. MINI HEATER
Dorm rooms are so so cold during the winter, and to be very honest, you can never be too cosy. Mini heaters are perfect to keep you warm during the winter and you store it easily in spring/ summer.
SCHOOL SUPPLY ESSENTIALS:
FINALLY, the last few dorm essentials…the reason you are actually going to University! Here are my 6 school supply essentials, that I used to create organisation systems.
1. LARGE RING BINDERS
2. PLANNER
3. DISPLAY FOLDERS
4. PENS
THESE ARE MY FAVOURITE PENS! THEY HAVE THE PERFECT GRIP AND MAKES YOUR HANDWRITING LOOK SO GOOD!
5. COMPOSITION NOTEBOOKS
6. REFILL PAPER
And that’s it!
These were 40+ dorm essentials that you need as a foundation for building your own space. Feel free to buy more things, that I didn’t mention. This is solely a guide to help you not forget the important dorm essentials. Happy University shopping!
OTHER UNIVERSITY POSTS YOU WILL LOVE:
A twenty something year old, obsessed with all things design, organisation. want to learn more about me, click here.
Simi's fave resources
My Projects
TEMPLATE CUSTOMISATION
CUSTOM WEBSITE
WEBSITE AUDIT
This post may contain affiliate links, which is where I will receive a small commission if you buy from the link. At no extra cost to you! For more information please read the full disclosure here.
Shopping for university/college is so tedious and very pricey. Which is why I wanted to make your life so much easier by curating a list full of DORM ESSENTIALS. I have split all the dorm essentials into different categories, to make your life that little bit easier!
When it comes to dorm room items, I suggest investing a bit more money to make sure everything lasts you until you finish uni. You really don’t want to be buying the same things every year!
Before I get started, I’ve even made you a free University packing list PDF full of dorm essentials and more! I have also included a BONUS printable full of items you would need to buy for your first bulk grocery store shop.
THE DORM ESSENTIALS COME UNDER THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES…
- BEDDING
- BATHROOM
- DESK
- KITCHEN
- BEDROOM
- WARDROBE
- SCHOOL SUPPLIES
BEDDING ESSENTIALS:
1. MATTRESS TOPPER
An essential, if you are looking to amp up your sleeping experience! Not to mention, you have no idea what has been laying on the mattress, so it is perfect to create a barrier between you and the mattress.
2. DUVET
I’m sure you won’t forget a duvet, but make sure you check the tog so you aren’t too hot or too cold!
WHAT DOES TOG MEAN?
Tog is a scale of warmth. The higher the tog rating, the better the duvet holds heat!
QUICK TIP: I SUGGEST BUYING A DOUBLE BED DUVET. THIS WILL GIVE YOU MORE COMFORT AND IT DRAPES PERFECTLY WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR BED.
3. PILLOWS
Who knew there were so many pillow choices, memory foam, microbeads, feather, buckwheat. My head was seriously spinning! I just chose a basic one but I made sure it was firm, to give me the most support.
4. BEDDINGS
Beddings are one of my favourite ways of personalising your dorm room. However, my go-to is all white!
QUICK TIP: DON’T FORGET TO BUY BEDSHEETS AS THEY DO NOT COME WITH YOUR BEDDINGS
BATHROOM ESSENTIALS:
1. TOWELS
Another necessity (I hope!) It’s best to spend a little more money on towels if you want them last longer and of course, be soft. The best place to get towels is from either Amazon and TkMaxx/ Homesense.
DON’T FORGET TO BUY: BODY AND FACE/ HAND TOWELS!
2. SHOWER MAT
I get really funny when it comes to the cleanliness of showers. Although we did a thorough clean, I still wanted a shower mat. An added bonus is that it prevents you from slipping and you don’t need to spend much at all!
3. BATH MAT
I can’t be the only the one who hates wet floors, especially when I am wearing socks! Having a bath mat prevents all of these disasters AND they are available in so many colours so you can make your bathroom look cute too!
4. SUCTION SHOWER CADDY
If you have a lot of shower products, this is so handy! Dorm bathrooms usually don’t give you a lot of space, so this is essential! AND some come with hooks so you can hang your sponge and razor, creating even more space…who knew?
ADDS SO MUCH MORE STORAGE WHILST TAKING LITTLE TO NO SPACE!
5. SOAP DISPENSER
Now, this shouldn’t be on the top of your list, BUT don’t let that stop you. If you’re feeling a little extra (like me) pick your soap colour to match your bathroom colour scheme (it’s really the little things).
6. SMALL PEDAL BIN
Buying a bathroom bin is so easy to forget (luckily you have me to remind you), any small pedal bin will do.
DESK ESSENTIALS:
1. DRAW ORGANISERS
Organisation doesn’t end in the bedroom… your desk is equally as valuable. You don’t need to go too crazy here, draw organisers are simple and effective to help control the chaos.
2. MINI WHITEBOARD + MARKERS
As a fellow visual learner, these SAVED ME! I was able to write definitions and equations over and over again until I drilled it into my head.
3. DESK LAMP
Another dorm essential.. who would’ve guessed it. Some dorm rooms come with one, so please double check on your universities website.
4. LAPTOP STAND
A lifesaver on your back and neck! If you are going to be spending hours on your laptop writing essays, or in my case, lab reports, you NEED to invest in one.
KITCHEN ESSENTIALS:
One of my favourite parts of dorm room shopping! I have listed all the basics kitchen essentials that you would need.
1. PLATES
2. BOWLS
YOU MAY NOT THINK YOU WILL USE ALL 4 HOWEVER, IT IS BETTER TO HAVE MORE THAN LESS… THEY COULD SMASH OR YOU IT WILL BE HANDLE WHEN YOU COOK FOR FRIENDS
3. POTS AND PANS
4. CHOPPING BOARD
5. COOKING KNIVES
6. CUTLERY
QUICK TIP: GET CUTLERY THAT HAS HANDLES YOU CAN EASILY DISTINGUISH. YOU’D BE SURPRISED HOW QUICKLY CUTLERY GOES MISSING!
7. SIEVE
BEDROOM ESSENTIALS:
1. LARGE BLANKETS
Not only do they keep you warm, but they are also such an easy way to spice up your space or cover up ugly furniture!
2. MINI RUG
Rugs instantly make your room feel so much more cosy and comfortable, adding 1 or 2 in your room will transform it instantly!
3. THROW PILLOWS
One of my favourite ways to add my own touch to your space. You can place them on your bed, on your lounge chair, desk chair or you can create a comfy “me time” area in the corner of your room. GO CRAZY!
4. BEDSIDE LIGHT
You don’t want to damage your eyes reading textbooks in the dark or watching TikToks (both equally as productive) do we? Not all dorm room comes with a bedside light, Amazon has so many to choose from!
5. BEDSIDE TRAY/ ORGANISER
I was geeking over this when I discovered it! This bedside tray acts like a floating bedside table. Perfect to place your phone, glasses or your cup of tea.
6. OVER THE DOOR HOOK
You can never have too much storage, over the door hooks are perfect to hold your dressing gown, coats and your backpack.
7. BIN
As well as a small bathroom bin, another dorm essential is a bin for both your bedroom and your desk.
8. DRYING RACK
When you are picking the perfect drying rack, you need to make sure that it can be folded easily whilst taking little to no space. I refused to pay to dry my clothes because I could save the money or put it towards more clothes (shocker).
WARDROBE ESSENTIALS:
1. MAGIC HANGERS
Wardrobe space can be quite scarce, however, these magic hangers help you store so many more clothes on a rail!
2. DETACHABLE RAIL
Another way to add more space for clothes! I would wait till you get to university so you can see if you have space to add another rail, but how cool are they?
3. VELVET HANGERS
Prevents your clothes from slipping and sliding!
NEVER HAVE YOUR CLOTHES FALL OFF YOUR HANGERS AGAIN
4. SHELF HANGING ORGANISER
Store EVEN MORE clothes with this hanging shelf organiser (every girls dream).
5. DRAW ORGANISERS
Drawers need organising too! Drawer organisers are so useful to keep your underwear organised and separated.
ELECTRONIC ESSENTIALS:
SOME UNIVERSITIES ARE STRICT ABOUT BRINGING ELECTRONIC ITEMS, PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK THEIR WEBSITE!
1. EXTENSION CORD
You’d be surprised how randomly placed the plugs are! I love to have my phone charging nearby so I can have the flexibility to watch Netflix in bed. An extension cord is CRUCIAL if you want unlimited battery life to endlessly scroll through Instagram or TikTok (very guilty).
2. MINI FAN
Going to university in a hotter climate? You’re going to need a fan to keep you cool to get you through the heat.
3. MINI HEATER
Dorm rooms are so so cold during the winter, and to be very honest, you can never be too cosy. Mini heaters are perfect to keep you warm during the winter and you store it easily in spring/ summer.
SCHOOL SUPPLY ESSENTIALS:
FINALLY, the last few dorm essentials…the reason you are actually going to University! Here are my 6 school supply essentials, that I used to create organisation systems.
1. LARGE RING BINDERS
2. PLANNER
3. DISPLAY FOLDERS
4. PENS
THESE ARE MY FAVOURITE PENS! THEY HAVE THE PERFECT GRIP AND MAKES YOUR HANDWRITING LOOK SO GOOD!
5. COMPOSITION NOTEBOOKS
6. REFILL PAPER
And that’s it!
These were 40+ dorm essentials that you need as a foundation for building your own space. Feel free to buy more things, that I didn’t mention. This is solely a guide to help you not forget the important dorm essentials. Happy University shopping!
OTHER UNIVERSITY POSTS YOU WILL LOVE:
This post may contain affiliate links, which is where I will receive a small commission if you buy from the link. At no extra cost to you! For more information please read the full disclosure here.
Shopping for university/college is so tedious and very pricey. Which is why I wanted to make your life so much easier by curating a list full of DORM ESSENTIALS. I have split all the dorm essentials into different categories, to make your life that little bit easier!
When it comes to dorm room items, I suggest investing a bit more money to make sure everything lasts you until you finish uni. You really don’t want to be buying the same things every year!
Before I get started, I’ve even made you a free University packing list PDF full of dorm essentials and more! I have also included a BONUS printable full of items you would need to buy for your first bulk grocery store shop.
THE DORM ESSENTIALS COME UNDER THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES…
- BEDDING
- BATHROOM
- DESK
- KITCHEN
- BEDROOM
- WARDROBE
- SCHOOL SUPPLIES
BEDDING ESSENTIALS:
1. MATTRESS TOPPER
An essential, if you are looking to amp up your sleeping experience! Not to mention, you have no idea what has been laying on the mattress, so it is perfect to create a barrier between you and the mattress.
2. DUVET
I’m sure you won’t forget a duvet, but make sure you check the tog so you aren’t too hot or too cold!
WHAT DOES TOG MEAN?
Tog is a scale of warmth. The higher the tog rating, the better the duvet holds heat!
QUICK TIP: I SUGGEST BUYING A DOUBLE BED DUVET. THIS WILL GIVE YOU MORE COMFORT AND IT DRAPES PERFECTLY WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR BED.
3. PILLOWS
Who knew there were so many pillow choices, memory foam, microbeads, feather, buckwheat. My head was seriously spinning! I just chose a basic one but I made sure it was firm, to give me the most support.
4. BEDDINGS
Beddings are one of my favourite ways of personalising your dorm room. However, my go-to is all white!
QUICK TIP: DON’T FORGET TO BUY BEDSHEETS AS THEY DO NOT COME WITH YOUR BEDDINGS
BATHROOM ESSENTIALS:
1. TOWELS
Another necessity (I hope!) It’s best to spend a little more money on towels if you want them last longer and of course, be soft. The best place to get towels is from either Amazon and TkMaxx/ Homesense.
DON’T FORGET TO BUY: BODY AND FACE/ HAND TOWELS!
2. SHOWER MAT
I get really funny when it comes to the cleanliness of showers. Although we did a thorough clean, I still wanted a shower mat. An added bonus is that it prevents you from slipping and you don’t need to spend much at all!
3. BATH MAT
I can’t be the only the one who hates wet floors, especially when I am wearing socks! Having a bath mat prevents all of these disasters AND they are available in so many colours so you can make your bathroom look cute too!
4. SUCTION SHOWER CADDY
If you have a lot of shower products, this is so handy! Dorm bathrooms usually don’t give you a lot of space, so this is essential! AND some come with hooks so you can hang your sponge and razor, creating even more space…who knew?
ADDS SO MUCH MORE STORAGE WHILST TAKING LITTLE TO NO SPACE!
5. SOAP DISPENSER
Now, this shouldn’t be on the top of your list, BUT don’t let that stop you. If you’re feeling a little extra (like me) pick your soap colour to match your bathroom colour scheme (it’s really the little things).
6. SMALL PEDAL BIN
Buying a bathroom bin is so easy to forget (luckily you have me to remind you), any small pedal bin will do.
DESK ESSENTIALS:
1. DRAW ORGANISERS
Organisation doesn’t end in the bedroom… your desk is equally as valuable. You don’t need to go too crazy here, draw organisers are simple and effective to help control the chaos.
2. MINI WHITEBOARD + MARKERS
As a fellow visual learner, these SAVED ME! I was able to write definitions and equations over and over again until I drilled it into my head.
3. DESK LAMP
Another dorm essential.. who would’ve guessed it. Some dorm rooms come with one, so please double check on your universities website.
4. LAPTOP STAND
A lifesaver on your back and neck! If you are going to be spending hours on your laptop writing essays, or in my case, lab reports, you NEED to invest in one.
KITCHEN ESSENTIALS:
One of my favourite parts of dorm room shopping! I have listed all the basics kitchen essentials that you would need.
1. PLATES
2. BOWLS
YOU MAY NOT THINK YOU WILL USE ALL 4 HOWEVER, IT IS BETTER TO HAVE MORE THAN LESS… THEY COULD SMASH OR YOU IT WILL BE HANDLE WHEN YOU COOK FOR FRIENDS
3. POTS AND PANS
4. CHOPPING BOARD
5. COOKING KNIVES
6. CUTLERY
QUICK TIP: GET CUTLERY THAT HAS HANDLES YOU CAN EASILY DISTINGUISH. YOU’D BE SURPRISED HOW QUICKLY CUTLERY GOES MISSING!
7. SIEVE
BEDROOM ESSENTIALS:
1. LARGE BLANKETS
Not only do they keep you warm, but they are also such an easy way to spice up your space or cover up ugly furniture!
2. MINI RUG
Rugs instantly make your room feel so much more cosy and comfortable, adding 1 or 2 in your room will transform it instantly!
3. THROW PILLOWS
One of my favourite ways to add my own touch to your space. You can place them on your bed, on your lounge chair, desk chair or you can create a comfy “me time” area in the corner of your room. GO CRAZY!
4. BEDSIDE LIGHT
You don’t want to damage your eyes reading textbooks in the dark or watching TikToks (both equally as productive) do we? Not all dorm room comes with a bedside light, Amazon has so many to choose from!
5. BEDSIDE TRAY/ ORGANISER
I was geeking over this when I discovered it! This bedside tray acts like a floating bedside table. Perfect to place your phone, glasses or your cup of tea.
6. OVER THE DOOR HOOK
You can never have too much storage, over the door hooks are perfect to hold your dressing gown, coats and your backpack.
7. BIN
As well as a small bathroom bin, another dorm essential is a bin for both your bedroom and your desk.
8. DRYING RACK
When you are picking the perfect drying rack, you need to make sure that it can be folded easily whilst taking little to no space. I refused to pay to dry my clothes because I could save the money or put it towards more clothes (shocker).
WARDROBE ESSENTIALS:
1. MAGIC HANGERS
Wardrobe space can be quite scarce, however, these magic hangers help you store so many more clothes on a rail!
2. DETACHABLE RAIL
Another way to add more space for clothes! I would wait till you get to university so you can see if you have space to add another rail, but how cool are they?
3. VELVET HANGERS
Prevents your clothes from slipping and sliding!
NEVER HAVE YOUR CLOTHES FALL OFF YOUR HANGERS AGAIN
4. SHELF HANGING ORGANISER
Store EVEN MORE clothes with this hanging shelf organiser (every girls dream).
5. DRAW ORGANISERS
Drawers need organising too! Drawer organisers are so useful to keep your underwear organised and separated.
ELECTRONIC ESSENTIALS:
SOME UNIVERSITIES ARE STRICT ABOUT BRINGING ELECTRONIC ITEMS, PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK THEIR WEBSITE!
1. EXTENSION CORD
You’d be surprised how randomly placed the plugs are! I love to have my phone charging nearby so I can have the flexibility to watch Netflix in bed. An extension cord is CRUCIAL if you want unlimited battery life to endlessly scroll through Instagram or TikTok (very guilty).
2. MINI FAN
Going to university in a hotter climate? You’re going to need a fan to keep you cool to get you through the heat.
3. MINI HEATER
Dorm rooms are so so cold during the winter, and to be very honest, you can never be too cosy. Mini heaters are perfect to keep you warm during the winter and you store it easily in spring/ summer.
SCHOOL SUPPLY ESSENTIALS:
FINALLY, the last few dorm essentials…the reason you are actually going to University! Here are my 6 school supply essentials, that I used to create organisation systems.
1. LARGE RING BINDERS
2. PLANNER
3. DISPLAY FOLDERS
4. PENS
THESE ARE MY FAVOURITE PENS! THEY HAVE THE PERFECT GRIP AND MAKES YOUR HANDWRITING LOOK SO GOOD!
5. COMPOSITION NOTEBOOKS
6. REFILL PAPER
And that’s it!
These were 40+ dorm essentials that you need as a foundation for building your own space. Feel free to buy more things, that I didn’t mention. This is solely a guide to help you not forget the important dorm essentials. Happy University shopping!
OTHER UNIVERSITY POSTS YOU WILL LOVE:
A twenty something year old, obsessed with all things design, organisation. want to learn more about me, click here.
Simi's fave resources
My Projects
TEMPLATE CUSTOMISATION
CUSTOM WEBSITE
WEBSITE AUDIT
This post may contain affiliate links, which is where I will receive a small commission if you buy from the link. At no extra cost to you! For more information please read the full disclosure here.
Shopping for university/college is so tedious and very pricey. Which is why I wanted to make your life so much easier by curating a list full of DORM ESSENTIALS. I have split all the dorm essentials into different categories, to make your life that little bit easier!
When it comes to dorm room items, I suggest investing a bit more money to make sure everything lasts you until you finish uni. You really don’t want to be buying the same things every year!
Before I get started, I’ve even made you a free University packing list PDF full of dorm essentials and more! I have also included a BONUS printable full of items you would need to buy for your first bulk grocery store shop.
THE DORM ESSENTIALS COME UNDER THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES…
- BEDDING
- BATHROOM
- DESK
- KITCHEN
- BEDROOM
- WARDROBE
- SCHOOL SUPPLIES
BEDDING ESSENTIALS:
1. MATTRESS TOPPER
An essential, if you are looking to amp up your sleeping experience! Not to mention, you have no idea what has been laying on the mattress, so it is perfect to create a barrier between you and the mattress.
2. DUVET
I’m sure you won’t forget a duvet, but make sure you check the tog so you aren’t too hot or too cold!
WHAT DOES TOG MEAN?
Tog is a scale of warmth. The higher the tog rating, the better the duvet holds heat!
QUICK TIP: I SUGGEST BUYING A DOUBLE BED DUVET. THIS WILL GIVE YOU MORE COMFORT AND IT DRAPES PERFECTLY WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR BED.
3. PILLOWS
Who knew there were so many pillow choices, memory foam, microbeads, feather, buckwheat. My head was seriously spinning! I just chose a basic one but I made sure it was firm, to give me the most support.
4. BEDDINGS
Beddings are one of my favourite ways of personalising your dorm room. However, my go-to is all white!
QUICK TIP: DON’T FORGET TO BUY BEDSHEETS AS THEY DO NOT COME WITH YOUR BEDDINGS
BATHROOM ESSENTIALS:
1. TOWELS
Another necessity (I hope!) It’s best to spend a little more money on towels if you want them last longer and of course, be soft. The best place to get towels is from either Amazon and TkMaxx/ Homesense.
DON’T FORGET TO BUY: BODY AND FACE/ HAND TOWELS!
2. SHOWER MAT
I get really funny when it comes to the cleanliness of showers. Although we did a thorough clean, I still wanted a shower mat. An added bonus is that it prevents you from slipping and you don’t need to spend much at all!
3. BATH MAT
I can’t be the only the one who hates wet floors, especially when I am wearing socks! Having a bath mat prevents all of these disasters AND they are available in so many colours so you can make your bathroom look cute too!
4. SUCTION SHOWER CADDY
If you have a lot of shower products, this is so handy! Dorm bathrooms usually don’t give you a lot of space, so this is essential! AND some come with hooks so you can hang your sponge and razor, creating even more space…who knew?
ADDS SO MUCH MORE STORAGE WHILST TAKING LITTLE TO NO SPACE!
5. SOAP DISPENSER
Now, this shouldn’t be on the top of your list, BUT don’t let that stop you. If you’re feeling a little extra (like me) pick your soap colour to match your bathroom colour scheme (it’s really the little things).
6. SMALL PEDAL BIN
Buying a bathroom bin is so easy to forget (luckily you have me to remind you), any small pedal bin will do.
DESK ESSENTIALS:
1. DRAW ORGANISERS
Organisation doesn’t end in the bedroom… your desk is equally as valuable. You don’t need to go too crazy here, draw organisers are simple and effective to help control the chaos.
2. MINI WHITEBOARD + MARKERS
As a fellow visual learner, these SAVED ME! I was able to write definitions and equations over and over again until I drilled it into my head.
3. DESK LAMP
Another dorm essential.. who would’ve guessed it. Some dorm rooms come with one, so please double check on your universities website.
4. LAPTOP STAND
A lifesaver on your back and neck! If you are going to be spending hours on your laptop writing essays, or in my case, lab reports, you NEED to invest in one.
KITCHEN ESSENTIALS:
One of my favourite parts of dorm room shopping! I have listed all the basics kitchen essentials that you would need.
1. PLATES
2. BOWLS
YOU MAY NOT THINK YOU WILL USE ALL 4 HOWEVER, IT IS BETTER TO HAVE MORE THAN LESS… THEY COULD SMASH OR YOU IT WILL BE HANDLE WHEN YOU COOK FOR FRIENDS
3. POTS AND PANS
4. CHOPPING BOARD
5. COOKING KNIVES
6. CUTLERY
QUICK TIP: GET CUTLERY THAT HAS HANDLES YOU CAN EASILY DISTINGUISH. YOU’D BE SURPRISED HOW QUICKLY CUTLERY GOES MISSING!
7. SIEVE
BEDROOM ESSENTIALS:
1. LARGE BLANKETS
Not only do they keep you warm, but they are also such an easy way to spice up your space or cover up ugly furniture!
2. MINI RUG
Rugs instantly make your room feel so much more cosy and comfortable, adding 1 or 2 in your room will transform it instantly!
3. THROW PILLOWS
One of my favourite ways to add my own touch to your space. You can place them on your bed, on your lounge chair, desk chair or you can create a comfy “me time” area in the corner of your room. GO CRAZY!
4. BEDSIDE LIGHT
You don’t want to damage your eyes reading textbooks in the dark or watching TikToks (both equally as productive) do we? Not all dorm room comes with a bedside light, Amazon has so many to choose from!
5. BEDSIDE TRAY/ ORGANISER
I was geeking over this when I discovered it! This bedside tray acts like a floating bedside table. Perfect to place your phone, glasses or your cup of tea.
6. OVER THE DOOR HOOK
You can never have too much storage, over the door hooks are perfect to hold your dressing gown, coats and your backpack.
7. BIN
As well as a small bathroom bin, another dorm essential is a bin for both your bedroom and your desk.
8. DRYING RACK
When you are picking the perfect drying rack, you need to make sure that it can be folded easily whilst taking little to no space. I refused to pay to dry my clothes because I could save the money or put it towards more clothes (shocker).
WARDROBE ESSENTIALS:
1. MAGIC HANGERS
Wardrobe space can be quite scarce, however, these magic hangers help you store so many more clothes on a rail!
2. DETACHABLE RAIL
Another way to add more space for clothes! I would wait till you get to university so you can see if you have space to add another rail, but how cool are they?
3. VELVET HANGERS
Prevents your clothes from slipping and sliding!
NEVER HAVE YOUR CLOTHES FALL OFF YOUR HANGERS AGAIN
4. SHELF HANGING ORGANISER
Store EVEN MORE clothes with this hanging shelf organiser (every girls dream).
5. DRAW ORGANISERS
Drawers need organising too! Drawer organisers are so useful to keep your underwear organised and separated.
ELECTRONIC ESSENTIALS:
SOME UNIVERSITIES ARE STRICT ABOUT BRINGING ELECTRONIC ITEMS, PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK THEIR WEBSITE!
1. EXTENSION CORD
You’d be surprised how randomly placed the plugs are! I love to have my phone charging nearby so I can have the flexibility to watch Netflix in bed. An extension cord is CRUCIAL if you want unlimited battery life to endlessly scroll through Instagram or TikTok (very guilty).
2. MINI FAN
Going to university in a hotter climate? You’re going to need a fan to keep you cool to get you through the heat.
3. MINI HEATER
Dorm rooms are so so cold during the winter, and to be very honest, you can never be too cosy. Mini heaters are perfect to keep you warm during the winter and you store it easily in spring/ summer.
SCHOOL SUPPLY ESSENTIALS:
FINALLY, the last few dorm essentials…the reason you are actually going to University! Here are my 6 school supply essentials, that I used to create organisation systems.
1. LARGE RING BINDERS
2. PLANNER
3. DISPLAY FOLDERS
4. PENS
THESE ARE MY FAVOURITE PENS! THEY HAVE THE PERFECT GRIP AND MAKES YOUR HANDWRITING LOOK SO GOOD!
5. COMPOSITION NOTEBOOKS
6. REFILL PAPER
And that’s it!
These were 40+ dorm essentials that you need as a foundation for building your own space. Feel free to buy more things, that I didn’t mention. This is solely a guide to help you not forget the important dorm essentials. Happy University shopping!
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