Do you have a kid heading off to college this year? As a mom of two college kids, I know these are the dorm room items they want.
Sending your child off to college can be stressful, especially when they are going to another state. From paying for college to helping them pack, it can be quite overwhelming. You want the best for your child and want to furnish the dorm with all the college dorm room essentials. You are ready to go shopping for the dorm room items, but have no clue what to purchase.
My best advice for dorm room shopping is to buy the essentials from a basic college dorm room shopping list and wait on the other items. The other items can be sent to them later from places like Amazon and Walmart. Also, remember that what you bring to the school has to come back every summer or be stored at a storage facility.
College Rooms are Small
College dorm rooms are not that big, so less is best. Most dorm rooms come with furniture items like a bed, desk and chair, dresser, bookshelf, side table, and closet. Also, keep in mind that most dorm buildings have a kitchen with a microwave. While I do recommend purchasing a small fridge for the dorm room and a coffee maker, all other cooking appliances are a waste of money.
If you have to rent a uhaul for your child's dorm room packing list, they are bringing too much!
Dorm Room Essentials That College Kids Want
These are some of the items that made the list for my son's college packing list. They are items that his older brother recommended, based on his college experience from last year. My boys will be attending the same college as freshmen and sophomores.
1. Mattress Topper with Straps
Dorm room mattresses are not the best to sleep on, as most are uncomfortable. A twin XL mattress topper is a must for the dorm room. Sleep is important, and your child needs a comfortable bed. A mattress topper will make any hard mattress feel more comfortable. When shopping for a topper for a mattress for a dorm bed, do not go cheap. The cheaper ones will not last all four years.
Another must for buying a mattress topper is to make sure it has straps. Most college mattresses are encased in vinyl, so the straps will keep the topper from moving around. This is the mattress topper that we bought.
Purchase the twin XL mattress here
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2. Bed Organizer Caddy
College kids are always connected to their phones, and many of them use their phones as an alarm. So my son wanted something to attach to the bed for his phone. So a bed organizer caddy was a good option for his phone, especially since he was going to have his bed lofted.
This is the bedside storage bag that my older son bought last year. This bed organizer was super easy to attach to the bed and has many pockets in different sizes.
Purchase the bedside storage bag here
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3. Shower Tote
Most college dorms have shared bathrooms down the hall from the dorm room. So kids will need to bring all their personal care items with them when they take showers or get ready for bed. Having a shower tote to carry all of their items is a must. Look for one that can hold several bottles and other items. Look for one that has drainage holes.
My son liked this 2-in-1 Shower Caddy as it had several compartments and a removable mini caddy. It allowed him to carry everything he needed for his bathroom trips.
Purchase the Shower Tote here
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4. Hanging Closet Organizer
College dorms lack storage space for clothes and shoes. So a hanging closet organizer is a must for dorm rooms. Look for one that folds up for easy transportation to college. While those wooden cube storage organizers are nice, they can be too big to fit in the car to take to college move-in day.
This closet hanging storage allows you to have more space in your closet. It has six shelf units that can hold items like clothes, shoes, and more. I like that it folds up when not in use for easy storage. If space allows, buy two of these organizers for maximum storage.
Purchase the Hanging Closet Organizer here
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5. Storage Containers
Storage containers are perfect for college dorms. They can be used for packing and for dorm room storage. These containers can store out-of-season clothes, snacks, and extra personal care items.
These Clear Storage Bins with Latching Lids are perfect for college dorm packing and storage. Having clear bins makes it easy to see what is inside the storage containers. Having stackable storage containers is also a must for space-saving in the dorm room. These 71-quart storage totes are perfect for storing clothes, snacks, and more. Make sure to buy durable plastic containers, as these will get a lot of use in the dorm room.
Purchase the Storage Containers here
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6. Laundry Detergent Sheets
Your students will have to start doing their own laundry at college, so send them off to college with plenty of laundry detergent. Make laundry day easier by packing laundry sheets. That way, they don't have to lug around a heavy detergent bottle.
I like CLEARALIF laundry detergent sheets as they are eco-friendly & hypoallergenic. They also come in a variety of natural scents like orange and wild mint. They do a great job of cleaning and are affordable.
Purchase the Laundry Detergent Sheets here
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7. Laundry Dropps
Another great option for laundry is these laundry detergent drops. They take up little storage space in the dorm room and are easy to carry to the laundry room.
Dropps are available in many formulas and scents, including unscented. They are eco-friendly and are powerful on stains and odors. Their proprietary blend of five enzymes is formulated to penetrate fabrics and target specific stains.
Purchase the Laundry Dropps here. Use Code MKB20 to save 20%
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8. Huel Instant Meals
There may be times when your college kid is too busy with homework and doesn't have time to visit the cafeteria for a meal. The cafeteria may even be closed when hunger strikes. So make sure to pack complete meals that they can quickly make at any time of day.
Huel has many options for complete meals that can be made in under 5 minutes. From a hot and savory meal, cups that just need hot water, to delicious meal replacement drinks, Huel is a complete meal that is loaded with plenty of protein and nutrition.
Huel is a complete meal that is loaded with vegan protein and perfect for when you are pressed for time. These delicious meals come in a huge variety of flavors.
Save $20 on all Huel Products with code MOMKNOWSBESTHUEL
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9. Nugo Protein Bars
After a long night of staying up late studying, college kids may oversleep and not have time for breakfast before class. Send them to college with plenty of nutritious grab-and-go breakfast items. Make sure that they are shelf-stable.
My son loves Nugo Dark Chocolate Nutrition Bars for on-the-go breakfast meals. His favorite flavors are the dark chocolate pretzel and the dark chocolate peanut butter cup. These bars are loaded with protein and other healthy nutrients. The bars are gluten-free and vegan.
Purchase 12 Nugo Bars for $15 with free shipping
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10. Collapsible Laundry Hamper
Your child will need a hamper for dirty clothes. Make sure to purchase one that is lightweight with carry straps. This will make it easier for them to bring the dirty clothes to the laundry room.
I purchased a collapsible laundry hamper for my son. That way, it took up very little space in the car, and it will be easier to store during the summer. This hamper folds up flat when not in use and is durable. The hamper also stands upright when it is empty. The outside is waterproof to prevent moisture from seeping out. It comes in a variety of colors.
Purchase the Collapsible Laundry Hamper here
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11. Large S Hanging Metal Hooks
Dorm rooms have limited space and storage. My son used large S hooks on the edge of his bed to hang up his backpack and bath towel.
These large S hooks have many practicle uses for storage and organization. From hanging up clothes to bags, your child will find many uses for them. They can be used in the closet or over the bed rail.
Purchase the Large S Hanging Metal Hooks here
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12. Body Wipes
Disposable wipes always come in handy when away from home. From face wipes to potty wipes, these are a must-have for college students.
Natracare has a line of wipes that are designed for sensitive skin. The wipes are organic and made with natural ingredients. From wipes for makeup removal to safe-to-flush wipes for the potty, the wipes are made from cotton and chlorine-free paper.
Purchase the Natracare Wipes here
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13. Laptop Docking Station Stand
A laptop stand will help college kids keep their desks organized and provide extra space, while helping them do their homework. My son loves this portable 11-in-1 USB-C laptop docking station.
Purchase the Laptop Docking Station Stand here
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These are just some of the many items that my son is bringing to school with him. Other items that need to be on the college packing list are first aid supplies, cold medicine, school supplies, a desk lamp, chargers, and so much more. My advice to parents is not to overpack. If they forgot something, you can always send it to them from one of the many online shopping services.
What college dorm essentials would you add to this list?



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