Get These Dorm Room Essentials Shipped Fast From Amazon
Don't head off to college without these basics.
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When you get to college, you get one space: your dorm room. That one little area becomes a kitchen, a bedroom, a dressing area, a gym, a study space and more — and you probably have to share it. That's a lot of gear to pack into a small space. If it seems daunting, brush up on some organizing tips, roll up your sleeves and get ready to make every inch of space you get count.
But what items on the college packing list are really dorm room essentials, and what can you live without? Because the worst thing would be giving over tons of your precious closet space to a bulky appliance you'll use a couple times in the first month and never look at again. (Ahem, iron and ironing board. That's why Downy made the wrinkle release spray.) Before you head back to school, figure out what you'll truly need with this checklist. Stock up, and you'll be ready for school.
A bed-in-a-bag has everything you need, and this set comes in twin XL, a common size for many dorm rooms. This includes a comforter, fitted sheet, flat sheet, dust ruffle, and pillowcases and come in many colors.
Whether you're a side, back or stomach sleeper, you're going to need some extra pillows to prop you up when you're pulling an all-nighter on your bed with your laptop on your knees.
Even if you plan on spending most of your time eating in the dining hall, there are going to be days where you're going to grab something back in your room. Be prepared with your own dinnerware: This set comes with plates, bowls and mugs that are safe to use in both the microwave and the dishwasher, if you're lucky enough to have one.
As long as your dorm room allows it, a microwave can be key for snacks during study breaks. Contrary to popular belief, you can actually survive for (a little while at least) on pizza rolls.
And don't forget the spoons, knives and forks to go with it! This set comes with a neat rack to hang it all on, which is a boon for those who don't get extra drawers.
Those blank walls (often concrete) can be a little daunting and depressing. Cover a lot of space with a tapestry of a favorite piece of famed art, available in many sizes and different masterworks.
Laundry is the easiest thing to keep tidy in a dorm room, since you just have to stuff it all in a hamper. This one has sturdy handles that'll let you carry a ton of it to the washing machines, and also collapses when it's empty. (Like it's ever going to be empty.)
Your phone will never be able to wake you up like this. Not only is this alarm clock really, really loud, it has a disc that you can put in your bed that will shake you awake, just like Mom used to. Your GPA will thank you.
If you can't rent a mini fridge through your school, this one offers just enough space to keep your essentials cold. It's got a small freezer and we love that the front is a chalkboard so you can write notes to keep people away from your fave snacks.
These super-affordable towels received strong scores from the GHI for absorbency, drying speed, softness and fabric strength. And at this price, you can buy a ton of them and procrastinate on doing laundry.
There's not much you can do about the communal shower situation in a dorm. It's best to invest in a good pair of waterproof sandals to wear in and out of the bathroom. The classic Adidas shower sandals are also available in men's sizes and in a range of colors. You could also go with the very budget-friendly Vertico shower-ready flip-flop (currently just $13).
Rugs help dampen sound for your neighbors below you, and they also keep you from having to step on cold floors first thing in the morning. This affordable rug also adds some much-needed color into a dorm space, and best yet it is washable in case of spills and stains.
It might be a long walk from your dorm room to the shower, and you don't want to be fumbling around with a towel the whole time. Find a nice soft bathrobe to wear for those trips down the hall.
And what about all those shower supplies? This mesh caddy is big enough to take everything you need to and from the shower, and it can also be folded down flat when it's empty to save space.
They're light, portable, keep clutter tucked away and you can fit them somewhere in your dorm room — even if it's under your bed. With the IRIS system, you can choose three, four, five, six, seven or ten drawers.
Those old college-issued twin XL mattresses have been around. If you're sensitive sleeper, you might want to add a mattress topper to make your bed firmer, less lumpy and more comfy. Linenspa's tested well with the GHI and comes in that awkward dorm-room size.
Rules about small appliances differ between schools, so you'll have to check to see if you're allowed hot plates, electric kettles, microwaves, or coffee makers. But if the rules allow or you're heading to an off-campus apartment, this slim machine brews coffee from grounds or pods directly into a travel mug.
Storage space is probably the trickiest problem to solve in a small dorm room, so it's good to stock up on some versatile bins and see if you can find somewhere to stash them out of sight.
Keep yourself organized, remind yourself about tests and projects, leave messages for your roommates and tack up some photos from home — all you need is a little bit of wall space.
Perfect for studying into the wee hours, this lamp comes with a bonus feature: a built-in USB port for charging your phone.
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; previously, she wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her toy-collecting husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found helping out her team at bar trivia or posting about movies on Twitter and Bluesky.
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