This is honestly a dream for me–to be able to help other families with this insane college prep summer. Last summer, before our Maddy went to college, I first put off doing ANYTHING for weeks and weeks, and then I went wild, buying nearly everything in sight.
All we really want is for our children to have comfortable dorm rooms filled with the essentials. We want them to have a little home away from home on campus.
Here’s the list of things that our college kid has said she needed and used–MINUS the twin xl comforter, pillows, blankets, and pillowcases. Your student can pick those items out, and they can also pick out their rug, depending on the size of the dorm.
The other things that are NOT linked here but are essentials: a backpack, chargers, a laptop, headphones, pens, pencils, and school supplies, since those are also dependent on the student; toiletries, laundry detergent, and extension cords.
Everything your child needs for college dorm: linked to AMAZON on Prime Day!
Order now so it’s at your doorstep by the time school begins!
We actually worked with her roommate to make the beds the highest they could go. There are ways to do this–that way you maximize storage space under each bed. Here we go!
Storage: Use these for the closet or under the bed.
BTSKY 2 Pack Plastic Container Box with Lid, Stackable Transparent Collapsible Storage Bin Multi-Purpose Portable Storage Container Box Large Capacity Home Utility Box for Home, Office, Car, Kitchen Organizing(Clear White)
IRIS USA 34 Qt. Stackable Plastic Drawers for Clothes, Medium, 4 Pack, Storage Dresser for Closet, Home, Office, Bedroom and Nursery, White
IRIS USA 42 Qt. Stackable Plastic Drawers for Clothes, Large, 4 Pack, Storage Dresser for Closet, Home, Office, Bedroom and Nursery, White
DTK 3 Tier Utility Rolling Cart with Cover Board, Storage Cart with Handle and Locking Wheels Kitchen Cart with 2 Small Baskets and 4 Hooks for Bathroom Office Balcony Living Room(White)
Furinno Luder Bookcase / Book / Storage , 3-Tier, White
Niclogi Tank Tops Hanger Bra Hangers 2 Pack Space Saving Hanger Metal Folding Closet Organizer for Tank Tops, Cami, Bras, Bathing Suits, Belts, Ties
HOUSE DAY Premium Velvet Hangers 50 Pack, Non-Slip Flocked Felt Hangers, Sturdy Clothes Hangers Heavy Duty Coat Hangers & Suit Hangers, Durable Slim Beige Hangers for Closet Space Saving
Whitmor Door Shoe Bag Hanging Organizer-12 Pair-24 Oversized Pockets, Clear
Sorbus Foldable Storage Cubes – 6 Fabric Baskets for Organizing Pantry, Closet, Shelf, Nursery, Playroom, Toy Box – 11 Inch Dual Handle Collapsible Closet Organizers and Storage Bins (Beige)
Whitmor 4-Tier Compact Closet Shelves, Gray
For Decor: Get these and print out 5×7 images for the walls, then tape with command strips
Mantello 5×7 Picture Frame Set – Front Loading 5 x 7 Frames – Display for Wall Artwork, Accent Piece, Photographs – Minimalist Tabletop & Desktop Decor – 12 Pack, White
Command Large Picture Hanging Strips, Damage Free Hanging Picture Hangers, No Tools Wall Strips for Living Spaces, 14 White Adhesive Strip Pairs(28 Strips)
Magnetic Calendar for Refrigerator Set. Weekly Dry Erase Fridge Calendar Whiteboard Meal Planner Menu Board – Thickened Magnet. with Fine Tip Marker & Eraser & Holes for Wall Hanging
Magnetic Small White Board Dry Erase 11’’x14’’ – Mini Dry Erase Board with 6 Markers, Personal Whiteboards for Refrigerator Wall, Fridge White Boards, Magnetic Whiteboard for Little Kids & Students
BIZYAC Hanging Photo Display Room Wall Decor – Sculptural Picture Frames Collage – 5 Strings with 30 Clips – 3M Self Adhesive Hooks – No Holes Drilling – 30 x 30 inch
Sadnyy 4 Pack Photo Grid Wall Panels Accessories 12 x 16 Inch Wall Organizer Picture Board with Clips Metal Grid Panel Photo Display Board for Room and Office
Must-haves
Command Large Utility Hooks, Damage Free Hanging Wall Hooks with Adhesive Strips, No Tools Wall Hooks for Hanging Decorations in Living Spaces, 7 White Hooks and 12 Command Strips
Command™ 15 lb X-Large Hooks 17011-2ES, Damage-Free Heavyweight Hanging
Command 10 Lb XL Heavyweight Wall Hook, White, Damage Free Decorating, 2 Command Hooks
ZOROSY Wood Table Vanity Makeup Mirrors – Rectangle Wall-Mounted Mirrors Desk Mirrors for Living Room Bedroom Birthday Gifts
IRIS USA WOOZOO Oscillating Fan, Vortex Fan, Air Circulator, Desk Fan, Portable Fan, 3 Speed Settings, 6 Tilting Head Settings, 74ft Max Air Distance, Large, White: https://amzn.to/44rBoW8
FRIGIDAIRE EFR331-BLACK 3.2 Cu ft Eraser Board Mini Compact Dorm Fridge (Black): https://amzn.to/3O96V9r
YOUDENOVA 15 inches Storage Ottoman Cube, Foldable Storage Boxes Footrest Step Stool, Padded Seat for Dorm Living Room, Support 300lbs, Line Fabric Grey
Laundry/ Shower:
Set of 5 Mesh Laundry Bags-1 Extra Large, 2 Large & Medium for Blouse, Hosiery, Stocking, Underwear, Bra Lingerie, Travel
Belizzi Home Ultra Soft 6 Pack Cotton Towel Set, Contains 2 Bath Towels 28×55 inch, 2 Hand Towels 16×24 inch & 2 Wash Coths 12×12 inch, Ideal for Everyday use, Compact & Lightweight – Turquoise Blue
DOKEHOM 90L Large Laundry Basket, Collapsible Laundry Bag, Freestanding Tall Clothes Hamper, Foldable Washing Bin (Black)
Jssmst Locking Small Steel Cash Box without Money Tray,Lock Box,Black Small
Sterilite 6 Qt Clear Plastic Stackable Storage Bin w/White Latching Lid Organizing Solution, 12 Pack
For emergencies:
Emergency Weather Radio, Hand Crank, 4000mAH, Portable, Solar Charging, with AM/FM/NOAA, 3 LED Flashlights, Motion Sensor, Reading Lamp, SOS Alarm, Rechargeable (Green)
Cartman 39Piece Cutting Plier Tool Set General Household Kit with Plastic Toolbox Storage Case Blue
Bedding:
Cheer Collection Foam-Filled Reading and Gaming Pillow with Armrest and Washable Velour Cover, Gray
SouthShore Fine Living Vilano Pleats, 3-Piece, 21-Inch Extra Deep Pocket Sheet, Twin XL Sheets with Flat Sheets and Pillowcase, Easy Care and Shrinkage-Free Deep Pocket Sheets, Sheet Set, Steel Blue
Modway Emily Tufted Button Faux Leather Upholstered Twin Headboard in White: https://amzn.to/3JTmv6K
Utopia Bedding Zippered Mattress Encasement Twin XL – 100% Waterproof and Bed Bug Proof Mattress Protector – Absorbent, Six-Sided Mattress Cover
Standard Pillow Protectors (Set of 2) – Zippered Waterproof Pillow Covers Hypoallergenic Dust and Allergen Proof Pillowcase Encasement
We shopped LONG and hard for the best one:
Best Price Mattress 3 Inch Ventilated Memory Foam Mattress Topper, Cooling Gel Infusion, CertiPUR-US Certified, Twin XL,Blue
NY Threads Mens Knit Robe Lightweight Summer Cotton Blend Bathrobe
Portable Shower Caddy Basket with Compartments Cleaning Supplies Organizer with Handle Plastic Storage Divided Basket Tool Bin for Bathroom, Bedroom, Kitchen, College Dorm, Garden, Under Sink, Grey
Maddy bought these on day one–we didn’t send her to school with these, but we should have:
COOLANS Wristlet Bracelet Keychain Pocket Credit Card Holder Purse Tassel Keychain Bangle Key Ring for Women
COOKOOKY Wrist Lanyards Key Chain Holder Premium Quality Wristlet Lanyard Keychain for Women
Maddy used this for the jewelry and makeup she brought
Voova Jewelry Box Organizer for Women Girls, 2 Layer Large Men Jewelry Storage Case, PU Leather Display Jewellery Holder with Removable Tray for Necklace Earrings Rings Bracelets, Vintage Gift,Gray
Makeup Organizer, Cosmetic Desk Storage Box with Drawers Skincare Organizers for Dressing Table, Countertop, Bathroom Counter, Vanity Holder for Brushes, Lotions, Lipstick, Perfume (White Large)
Get this for travel and packing
Ikea 901.491.48 Frakta Storage Bag, Blue, 8 Pack
IKEA 603.017.07 FRAKTA Medium Shopping Bags (Set of 6), Blue, 55 lb Max. Load, 10 Gallon Volume, Easy to Keep Clean, Takes Up Little Space to Store as It Folds Flat
Remember, every campus has slightly different rules for microwaves, coffee makers, and mini-fridges. Please check with your university before you make any of those “big” purchases.
Please let me know what I’m forgetting–and have a SUPER year!
I will share a college packing list with my Take 5 Subscribers in just a week, so make sure you are subscribed!
let’s help teachers clear their lists!
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