Hey, future college students (and parents)! Moving into a dorm or college apartment is such an exciting time. It’s a fresh start, full of possibilities—but before diving into that new adventure, you’ll need to ensure you’re fully prepared for move-in day. So, let’s go over all the essentials you’ll need to make your new space feel like home, and maybe even avoid a few “wish I had packed that” moments!
Cleaning Supplies: Keeping Your Space Fresh from Day One Trust me, you’ll want to clean your dorm room well when arriving. Here’s what to bring:
All-Purpose Cleaner: A small bottle of an all-purpose cleaner will work wonders on everything from desks to doorknobs.
Clorox Green Works All-Purpose Cleaner
ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER SPRAY- 3 Pack
MULTI-SURFACE: Removes grime, dirt and grease on multiple surfaces around the home
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Method All-Purpose Cleaner Spray
Cleans sealed non-porous surfaces including counters, tile, granite wood and glass.
Plant-Based -margarita scented cleaning fiesta!
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ATTITUDE All Purpose Cleaner
Clean ingredients and full transparency
can be used on most indoor and outdoor surfaces.
100% vegan and cruelty-free
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Disinfectant Wipes Easy to use and perfect for quick clean-ups, especially in shared spaces.
Lysol Disinfecting Wipes
Removes 90% of allergens on hard surfaces
75 count canister of Lysol disinfecting in citrus scent
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Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
ALL-PURPOSE WIPE: remove common allergens, viruses, bacteria and messes on surfaces like kitchen counters, bathroom surfaces and more.
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ATTITUDE All-Purpose Cleaning Wipes
BIODEGRADABLE WIPES
HIGH PERFORMANCE: Eliminates bacteria and viruses from various surfaces.
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Dustpan and Brush
MR.SIGA Mini Dustpan and Brush Set
Brush is made of dense and durable bristles , it won’t scratch cleaning surface. Soft rubber lip lies flat against cleaning surface and allows for maximum pickup, while built-in raised bar makes debris not easy to fall.
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MR.SIGA Broom and Dustpan Set with Long Handle
Upright Broom and Dustpan Combo
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Traditional Dustpan & Brush Set
Designed to last for years
Inspired by traditional kitchen design, this two-piece set has a rustic appearance that fits in with a wide range of kitchen decors.
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Make sure you get at least a compact set that you can stash away easily. I promise you it will come handy for all those crumbs.
Mini Vacuum If your room has carpet, a small vacuum can make your life much easier.
BLACK+DECKER dustbuster QuickClean Cordless Wet/Dry Handheld Vacuum
Powered by a lithium-ion battery, this handheld vacuum is ideal for smaller jobs requiring quick cleanup.
WALL MOUNT – Provides simple storage and convenient charging in one place.
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BISSELL AeroSlim Lithium-Ion Cordless Handheld Vacuum
Sleek Design. It fits into any space with its modern aesthetic and integrated tool storage and stand.
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Bissell – Stick Vacuum – Featherweight Blue
Ultra-lightweight and compact – easy to use and easy to store
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Laundry Detergent & Stain Remover
Tide PODS Liquid Laundry Detergent Soap Pacs
3-in-1 laundry pacs: super concentrated detergent, extra odor fighters, extra stain removers
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Clean People Laundry Detergent Sheets
Hypoallergenic, Stain Fighting – Ultra Concentrated.
Plant-Based : It is made with plant-derived ingredients and is eco-friendly
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Gain Super Sized Flings Laundry Detergent Pacs
Just toss in a Gain Super Sized Fling with Zen scent to turn up your mood with the presence of joyful freshness.
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Closet Must-Haves: Staying Organized and Stylish The thing about student housing is, that you’ll be sharing a small space, so organization is key.
Amazon Basics 5-Shelf Shelving Storage Unit, Metal Organizer Wire Rack, Black
5-shelf shelving unit, Durable steel construction with black-coated chrome finish. It gets the job done with tons of storage.
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Shelf Liners for Wire Shelf System
Great Quality – Designed to work with the 14 x 36″ shelving system by Amazon Basics. We use only the best, 30 gauge polypropylene to withstand even heavy-duty use.
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SimpleHouseware 24 Pockets – 2PK 12 Large Pockets Over Door Hanging Shoe Organizer
Hangs on standard door rod, no hardware needed. These can be used for more than shoes. tops, shorts, socks, gym towels. You name it!
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Cloth Hangers Bring plenty! You’ll need them for all your clothes, especially those that wrinkle easily.
Amazon Basics 5-Shelf Shelving Storage Unit, Metal Organizer Wire Rack, Black
5-shelf shelving unit, Durable steel construction with black-coated chrome finish. It gets the job done with tons of storage.
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Retractable Folding Wall Hanger Folding Clothes Hanger
Space-saving drying clothes rack. Easy to open and fold for compact storage to save space, tool-free installation.
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QuikCLOSET – The Original Foldable Collapsible Wall Mounted Clothes Drying Rack
a collapsible rack with up to 60’’ of telescopic storage rod. Comes ready to use, minimal assembly required.
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Hanging Closet Organizer, 6-Shelf
This hanging closet organizer is made of thick non-woven, this is built to last. Unlike similar products, this one has a bamboo insert at every opening and an MDF board at the top & bottom- no sagging!
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Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Clothes Hangers – 50-Pack
Set of 50 classic clothing hangers for use in wardrobes, on rolling racks and more
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Storage Bins with Lids, Pack of 3
The closet bins are ideal for organizing purses, seasonal clothes. Especially when in a limited living space bins are the best space saver.
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Clothing for All Seasons Be prepared for every kind of weather. Think of layers and versatile pieces.
Remember to add some secondary storage solutions to your checklist if you are a heavy packer like me.
Space in a dorm/ college apartment is guaranteed to be limited you will need all the extra space you can get in your closet.
Pack those seasonal clothes away when not in use.
Remember to pack clothes that can be used as layers, and can be dressed up or down as needed.
Laundry Basket/Bag A collapsible basket or bag is perfect for hauling your laundry to and from the laundry room.
SimpleHouseware Tall Collapsible Laundry Hamper
Equipped with two handles and lightweight material for easy transport.
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Set of 6 Mesh Laundry Bags for Delicates
This bag keeps delicate fabrics like lace from being ripped and bra hardware from snagging on other clothing in the wash.
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Hanging Laundry Hamper Bag
The hanging laundry hampers with wide opening design,easy to put your dirty clothes in it.
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Room Comfort and Functionality: Making Your Dorm Room a Home Your dorm room should be a place where you feel comfortable and ready to tackle your studies.
Alarm Clock Don’t rely solely on your phone—an old-school alarm clock can be a great backup.
Sunrise Alarm Clock for Heavy Sleepers, Wake Up Light with Sunrise/Sunset Simulation,
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Wooden Digital Alarm Clock
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Miowachi 4-inch Loud Alarm Clock for Heavy Sleepers
If you are not a morning person you seriously need this little guy!
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Extension Cord/Power Strip Outlets are often scarce, so a power strip will help you plug in everything you need.
6Ft Power Strip Surge Protecto r-with 6 AC Outlets and 3 USB Ports
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3-Sided Power Bars with Surge Protector
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Tower Power Bars with Surge Protector
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Bedding Bring sheets, pillowcases, and a comforter.
Soft Printed Microfiber Sheets Extra Deep Pocket Wrinkle Free
Durable and softer; unlike cotton, microfiber sheets is wrinkle resistant, non-pilling and more easier to care for.
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Shredded Memory Foam Pillows, Cooling Bed Pillows
Whether you sleep on your back, side, or stomach, our Shredded Memory Foam Pillow is designed to provide exceptional comfort and support for all sleep positions.
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All Season Reversible Comforter with Two Shams
Not too hot, not too cold. Based on the medium weight, medium warmth rating that makes it great for use all year round.
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And don’t forget a mattress cover CA ) for added comfort and hygiene.
Fan Dorms can get stuffy—especially in the warmer months—so a small fan is a lifesaver.
LEVOIT 36 Tower Fan for Bedroom, 90° Oscillating
Dyson AM07 Black- Tower Fan
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Midea Oscillation Tower Fan with IOT 42inch Timer Smart App and Voice + Remote Control
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Desk Lamp Good lighting is crucial for late-night study sessions and ensures you are not messing with a roomie’s sleep. Pick one that’s flexible and easy on the eyes.
Honeywell Desk Lamp with USB Charging Port
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Globe Electric 52298 Harper 16″ Desk Lamp
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FIRVRE Metal Swing Arm Desk Lamps
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Noise-Canceling Headphones These are a game-changer to block out distractions while you study (or just chill).
Sony ULT WEAR Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones with Massive Bass and comfortable design
PREMIUM NOISE CANCELING.
Up to 30-hours battery life with quick charging. Connect two devices at once.
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Soundcore by Anker Q20i Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling,
40-Hour Long Battery Life and Fast Charging: With 40 hours of battery life with ANC on and 60 hours in normal mode. Connect to two devices simultaneously with Bluetooth 5.0 and instantly switch between them.
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Sony WH-CH720N Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones Bluetooth Over The Ear Headset with Microphone and Alexa Voice Control
Up to 35-hour battery life with quick charging (3 min charge for up to 1 hour of playback).
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Small Fridge If your dorm allows it, a mini-fridge is great for snacks, drinks, and leftovers. It can also act as extra counter space or even a nightstand!
Frigidaire Coral EFR176- AMZ EFR176 Retro Mini Refrigerator
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Midea WHS-65LSS1 Compact Refrigerator, 1.6 Cubic Feet Single Door Fridge
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Frigidaire EFR372-MINT 3.2 Cu Ft Retro Compact Rounded Corner Premium Mini Fridge, Mint
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Printer & Computer Paper Even though a lot is digital, having a printer can be super convenient for last-minute assignments.
Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with Scan and Copy – The Ideal Basic Home Printer – Black
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AmazonBasics Multipurpose Copy Printer Paper – White, 8.5 x 11 Inches, 1 Ream (500 Sheets)
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Canon PIXMA TS3420 Wireless Inkjet Printer
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Thumbtacks for Bulletin Board Keep important reminders, notes, and photos from home pinned up where you can see them.
50 PCS Push Pin with Wooden Clips
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2-Pack Cork Board with Linen 16×11 inch Bulletin Boards
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Umbra Bulletboard Magnetic Memo Board with Pins and Magnets
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Flower Push Pins, 30pcs
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Pictures from Home & Personal Decor Add a personal touch to your room with photos, posters, and other decor items that make it feel like your own.
12 Pack Picture Frames Setper
Oval Fluffy Ultra Soft Area Rugs
24 PCS Removable Acrylic Mirror Stickers
Small Floating Shelves Wall Mounted
Hooks The unsung heroes – You are going to need a lot of them. And in all shapes and strengths.
Command Large, Damage-Free Hanging Wall Hooks with Adhesive Strips
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Self Adhesive Hooks for Hanging, Waterproof
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Command Wire Hooks Value Pack, Small Wall Hook
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Kitchen Essentials: For When the Dining Hall Just Doesn’t Cut It Even if you plan to eat in the dining hall most of the time, having a few kitchen basics can be handy. And the midnight munchies hit differently when you are pulling an all-nighter.
Microwave
TOSHIBA Microwave Oven with Sound On/Off
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BLACK+DECKER 4-Slice Convection Oven
The hanging laundry hampers with wide opening design,easy to put your dirty clothes in it.
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If allowed, a microwave can be great for quick meals and snacks.
Mini Coffee Maker or Electric Kettle Perfect for those early-morning classes or late-night binges. Do you need one? Well a coffee maker is honestly nice to have but a kettle in my honest opinion is a must-have.
Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker, Evergreen
I love this color and how unbelievably compact this coffee maker is.
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Evoloop 1.7L Electric Kettles, BPA Free Tea Kettle
An electric kettle is such a lifesaver- a hot beverage, some instant noodles, mac-n-cheese, problem solved.
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Reusable Water Bottle Stay hydrated without constantly buying bottled water. There are refill stations at every corner, which might as well save a bunch on drinking water.
Simple Modern Water Bottle with Straw lid
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Opard Sports Water Bottle 900ml Leak Proof Flip Top
The hanging laundry hampers with wide opening design, easy to put your dirty clothes in it.
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Basic Utensils & Dishes: A plate, bowl, mug, and set of utensils will cover most of your needs.
Premium Glass Coffee Mugs with Handle
BIOCEAN 100% Compostable No Plastic Utensils
Flatware Set, 20-Piece Elegant Silverware Cutlery Set
24 PCS Removable Acrylic Mirror Stickers
Porcelain Serving Plate Bowls
Small Appliances Depending on your space, a blender, toaster, or rice cooker can be great additions.
Black+Decker 2-Slice Extra Wide Slot Toaster
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Starfrit Electric Rice Cooker – 10 Cups
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NutriBullet 600 Superfood Nutrition Extractor, Blender & Mixer System (8-Piece Set)
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I have tried my best to think of everything you will need to make this transition as easy as possible. If you love this post make sure you go through this post talking about all the personal items you will need for an easy transition to school. And definitely download the free printable checklist. I promise it is the best one out there with everything I have mentioned in this post and space for your must-haves and nice-to-haves. Good luck!
