If you’re anything like us, the idea of helping your child pack for college can be overwhelming. What do they need? Will they forget anything? I’m going to miss them so much!
We understand, and we’re here to help!
When it comes to packing for college, we are big fans of focusing on the essentials. Dorm rooms are small. Your child could get lucky and score their own bedroom (been there) or be not-so-lucky and get squeezed into a teeny-tiny triple (been there, too). When packing for college, less is definitely more.
So, what is absolutely necessary? We are going to share our super streamlined, stress-free, tried-and-true dorm essentials packing list. This guide is designed to keep your child comfortable, cozy and coordinated from day one.
We’ve broken down our dorm room essentials into five groups: sleep, study, bathe, dress and move-in miscellaneous. So, here we go!
Sleep
Our kids need somewhere to sleep, right? The dorm will provide a bedframe and mattress but the rest is up to you. Dorm beds are generally twin XL, but it’s best to double-check with the school ahead of time.
Sleep List:
- Twin XL Sheets (2 sets)
- Duvet cover
- Duvet
- Pillowcases
- Pillow
- Mattress pad / topper
- Reading pillow
- Fan
- Earplugs & eye mask
Our Faves:
Quince has become our go-to for top-quality, reasonably priced bedding. We also love Brooklinen’s easy peasy move-in bundle, which gives you everything in a one-stop solution.
PRO TIP: If your teen is flying to college, consider shipping bulky items (fans, laundry detergent, etc.) ahead of time or purchasing them there.
Bathe
Most likely, your child will be walking down the hall to use the bathroom, so these items will come in handy, for sure.
- Towels
- Toiletry caddy
- Shower shoes
- Robe
Pro Tip: Send your college student off with some of your older towels, and treat yourself to new ones. We are hooked on these Onsen waffle towels.
Our Faves:
Whether your college-bound youth is a minimalist or maximalist, when it comes to toiletries, these unisex shower caddies from Pottery Barn Teen and mDesign on Amazon definitely do the trick.
Dress
When it comes to clothing, encourage your child to pack light for the first semester. Heavy coats and winter clothing can go back to school with them after winter break. Here’s what they’ll need to keep their clothing in good shape.
- Hangers
- Hamper/laundry basket
- Laundry detergent
- Stain remover
Our Faves:
These Amazon Basics hangers are our go-to as affordable, sturdy space savers. And, keep it all together with this collapsable, pop-up hamper from The Handy Laundry Store on Amazon. This terrific laundry solution is a snap to pack, easy to carry, and best of all, breathable (because who knows how long dirty laundry will hang out in there?).
PRO TIP: Keep the fancy jewelry at home but bring a key ring. Students are going to need it for their new dorm keys.
Study
Rumor has it, kids go to college to study. Here are the essentials.
- Desk lamp
- Outlet surge protector
- Computer
- Cell phone
- Headphones/earbuds
- Chargers
PRO TIP: Find out what furniture the dorm provides. Some dorm rooms have built-in desk lamps which will save you from having to bring one.
If your child is in the market for a new laptop, make sure to take advantage of student pricing at Apple.
PRO TIP: Let your college-bound teen purchase school supplies from the campus bookstore. It’s a great way to become familiar with all that the college store has to offer, and it will be one less thing for you to worry about.
Move-In Miscellaneous
We mentioned the key ring which is a must (no one likes keys floating around in their pocket). Here is our complete list of items that are handy for move-in day.
- Key ring
- Foldable duffle bags
- Removable poster tape
- Scissors
- Paper towels/wipes
PRO TIP: Foldable duffle bags are a great travel solution. They hold a lot and can be folded up and stored under the bed. We’ve used REDCAMP Travel Bags from Amazon and love how useful and easy to store they are.
So, those are the essentials! Of course, your student can bring more for their room. They might have created an entire Pinterest board, or they might not want to think about it! Regardless, they’ll figure out their “decor,” and that’s part of the fun.
PRO TIP: Hold off on buying a mini fridge. As cute as they are these days, your child might be able to buy one second-hand at school and split it with their roommates.
In terms of extra storage beyond the closet, dresser and desk, here are some of our favorite space-saving solutions.
Under the bed is a great space for extra storage, and we love these zippered storage bags from The Container Store. They’re lightweight, easy to store and a snap to transport.
To make the most of your hanging space, The Container Store’s Cascading Hanger Hooks are a clever solution to hanging more clothes. And let’s not forget to use the walls for extra storage! Dorms often have a strict “no nails” policy, so Command Damage Free Wall Hooks are a great way to hang items in a dorm-friendly way.
So there you have it – your super streamlined, stress-free dorm essentials guide. We include a handy Dorm Essentials Checklist to simplify your planning and packing for college. If you need additional assistance with sourcing, packing, shopping or shipping, please reach out to us! We’d love to help your newly crowned “college kid” prepare for their next big steps!
For added inspiration to make the College Move-In Day that much easier, check out my videos and blogs on:
- Organizing Your Desk for Success
- Small-Space Closet Organization
- Getting Road-Trip Ready if you’re taking the scenic route to college!
However you get there, I wish you and your teen a successful college move-in and an exciting year ahead!
Are you coming up with clever organizing solutions? If so, I’d love to hear about it! Drop me a line on Instagram or Facebook.
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