Essential Dorm Room Items for College Girls: Top 12 Must-Haves for a Stylish and Functional Space
As a recent college graduate, who previously lived years on campus, I am fully equipped to give you honest recommendations about what is essential for your dorm. I will keep it real, there might be more fun lists out there but these are the things you truly need not so much what will look the cutest on a desk.
An air purifier - I hardly see people talking about this one, it is a MUST. Dorms are notoriously dirty, sometimes mold-ridden, and where people are constantly getting sick. These can be pricey but you can use it all four years and even post-grad, just make sure you replace the filters periodically. Here’s one from Amazon.
Liquid IV - Hello college means hello hangover. Whatever your favorite flavor is, buy a big box of it (link). So much better to have it on hand than to have to venture out into the world for some after a rough night, and you’ll save money buying it in bulk. Also, have you tried the firecracker flavor yet?
An ice tray - If you have a mini fridge with a freezer, make sure you have an ice tray or two. That Brita water will be cool at best, if you want ice-cold water you need to bring the necessary supplies.
A silicone body scrubber - Damp shower caddy = bacteria. That old loofah just is not going to cut it, swap it for one of these, they are antibacterial and great for exfoliating.
Tool kit - It can be a very basic one like this. You may only use it a few times to put together that Ikea shelving unit or adjust your bed but when you do need it, you will be very grateful you have it. This could also get you brownie points on your floor, being known as the girl with the tool kit.
Reusable nipple covers - Kind of random I know, but college means going out top season. You are going to be dressing for themed frat parties, bars, etc, and for those backless or see-through shirts you are going to want some coverage. The reusable silicone kind, is the superior pasty, they are actually seamless, don’t hurt to remove and you only need one pair, they will last you all year!
Continuous spray bottle - This one is for my curly-haired girls and my skincare fanatics. You will most likely not be doing your routines in the communal bathroom, this will be a dorm room activity. Having a good bottle on hand for rewetting your hair before putting in mouse or ensuring your skin is damp for your hyaluronic acid is a must.
Hangover relief cap- Back to prepping for those inevitable hangovers, a cap like this provides cooling, compressio, and total darkness for those mornings when you are absolutely going through it. It might seem like overkill but don’t knock it until you try it.
A power strip - Perhaps this one is obvious but I have a tip for keeping it accessible and organized, using command strips attach them to the side of your desk or near your bed. This ensures that you can reach your phone charger and you aren’t ever tripping over chords.
A solid first aid kit - This should have all the typical stuff, bandaids, antibacterial wipes, etc but it should also include pretty much every single medication you could ever need. Having a mini pharmacy in your doom will be a blessing the first time you get sick. Things like Tylenol, Advil, NyQuil, Flonase, or whatever it is you typically take when you aren’t feeling well, pack it and pack extra. I love this pill organizer, it keeps everything right where it should be.
A delicate laundry bag - The dorm washer and dryer are not the best, and you are always running the risk of someone else taking your stuff out of the machine, so for my own sanity, I liked to keep my underwear and bras inside one of those mesh bags.
A full-length mirror - Some dorms do provide these so check first, but this is another essential, you can get a cheap one from Target or Walmart during move-in weekend.
Bonus, here are some rapid-fire things you do not need:
A coffee maker or Keurig - You seriously will not use it past the first week and it takes up space. If you cannot fathom not having some sort of coffee system in your room I recommend instant coffee or a pourover set up and a kettle.
An iron - You will never use it. I know you are thinking ‘what if I need to go to a career fair and I need to look polished?’, here are some solutions: take that blouse into the dorm shower with you and hang it close by, the steam will help, use your flat iron or your roommates flat iron as a makeshift iron, or use a wrinkle release spray. The one odd occasion you might need an iron is not worth the space it takes up.
Most kitchen stuff - You need one or two of the basics, a bowl, spoon, fork, knife, reusable straws, etc. Besides that, a microwave and a kettle are nice but you certainly do not need a blender, an air fryer, or anything else. You won’t use them enough and cleaning them is a total pain.
Best wishes and happy on-campus living ladies!
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