Dorm Room Essentials: 15 Must-Have Items for Your Home Away from Home

So you're getting ready to step into the world of dorm living – an adventure full of new experiences, late-night study sessions, and lasting friendships. 

Creating your own little haven within those four walls is both exciting and a bit challenging. My personal situation was a bit different; my roommate and I shared an apartment. However, much of what's listed here was included and necessary in my own list of essentials.

To help you get started on the right foot, I've put together a list of the top 15 items that can make your dorm room feel like your own cozy slice of home.

15 Must-Have Dorm Essentials to Consider:

1. Bedding: Your bed isn't just a place to crash; it's your refuge. Trust me, investing in soft sheets that feel like a cloud, a comforter that wraps you up in warmth, and pillows that perfectly hug your head can make all the difference after a long day. Another item that is available today that wasn't used back in my day is a privacy tent for beds. If you're sharing your space with someone else, you can check them out here.

2. Storage Solutions: Dorm rooms? Yeah, they're cozy. And by cozy, I mean limited in space. You'll want to become best friends with under-bed storage containers, wall shelves, and clever organizers. They magically expand your room, creating space you didn't even know you had. Think vertically, think under the bed!

   Oh, and you have to check out this nifty item! It's a bed-skirt organizer, so cool!

3. Mini Fridge and Microwave: Late-night snacks or impromptu tea parties, a mini fridge, and a microwave combo have your back. It's a savior when your stomach rumbles and your study partner needs that ramen fix.

4. Desk Essentials: Your desk is where academic magic happens. Having a good desk lamp for late-night study sessions is a game-changer. Organizers for your pens, pencils, and highlighters keep chaos at bay.

5. Technology: Let's face it – you'll practically be living on your laptop. Make sure it's your trusty sidekick. Chargers and power strips are your lifelines in this digital age.

6. Decorative Items: Pictures, posters, and wall art turn your dorm from "generic space" to "your space." These personal touches are like visual hugs from home.

7. Personal Care Items: A shower caddy is your shower-time superhero, corralling your shampoo and soap. And shower shoes? They're your feet's best friends.

8. Laundry Supplies: Laundromat adventures are a rite of passage. A laundry basket that doesn't double as an arm workout is essential. Don't forget the detergent and a stash of quarters (if needed) - it may just be a card you have to fill up with money online - maybe Mom and Dad will be doing that for you?

9. Cooking Essentials: If you're feeling culinary, some basic cooking gear can be a game-changer. A simple stir-fry or microwave-friendly recipes are sanity savers when cafeteria food just won't cut it.

10. Clothing and Closet Organizers: A closet can turn into Narnia with the right hangers and organizers. Keep your wardrobe tidy and accessible. No more digging through a mountain of clothes!

11. Study and Lounge Seating: Not every study session happens at your desk. A bean bag or floor cushion can be your "chill spot" for those group discussions or solo reading escapes.

12. Rugs: Let's admit it – dorm floors can be cold. A rug not only warms up the room but also adds a splash of color to your space. Choose one that matches your vibe.

13. Fan or Space Heater: Depending on your dorm's climate (and quirks), a fan or heater can be your climate control buddy. They're like roommates that actually listen to your temperature preferences.

14. Trash and Recycling Bins: Keeping things neat is easier when you've got designated spots for trash and recycling. It's a small touch that makes a big difference. Here's a compact garbage/recycle bin that works for smaller spaces.

15. Whiteboard or Corkboard: Organize your life with a whiteboard or corkboard. Pin up reminders, motivational quotes, and pictures of your pals. It's your personal command center.

There you have it! Have a successful, fun, and productive school year! Enjoy every moment; I'm sure you've heard it a thousand times, but it goes by fast.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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SentrySafe Safe Box Lock Box Review

When our daughter went to college, we made sure she had a lock box for her spending cash and jewelry.  

One of our biggest concerns about dorm living is that she wouldn't know all of her roommates.  She was allowed to request one roommate, but the other two would be assigned.  Plus, they would all have guests visiting the dorm room.  Again, they would be students they had just met on campus.

Our daughter didn't have expensive jewelry or a lot of cash.  Mostly, she had her class ring and cash for the laundromat.  We made sure she had several rolls of quarters so she could use the washing machines.  Ironically, the quarters were highly sought after.

Something we did not think about in advance, was is the need to lock up her wallet, car keys and computer flash drives when she went to the swimming pool or gym.  That little lock box turned out to be an essential item for her dorm room.

Yes, someone could carry off the entire box, but they would not be able to slip it in their pocket like you could keys, cash, or flash drives.  

After graduation, she was able to continuing using that box for her passport, birth certificate, etc.  The SentrySafe lock box adds the additional protection for those documents by being fireproof and waterproof for an hour.

The only downside that we have found with the box is that it is heavy.  However, since she rarely lifted it, that was not a problem. Better to have the fire and water protection than to have a lighter weight lock box.

Because she had so many uses for this lock box at college and afterwards, we also purchased one for our son when he went to college.  

 

 SentrySafe Fireproof and Waterproof Safe BoxCheck PriceSentry Safe Lock Box

We opted for the smaller lock box since it was plenty large enough for their needs.  

• Key Lock
• Exterior: 14.3" depth x 15.4" wide x 6.6" high
  
• Interior: 12.8" x 8.5" x 4.4"
• Fireproof for 1 hour (depending on temperature)
  
• Waterproof for 72 hrs. of submersion
  
• Approximately 27lbs.
• Made in Mexico
• Great for Dorm Rooms or Home
• Perfect for Under the Bed Storage
  

For a full college dorm room checklist, click here! 

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SentrySafe Safe Box Lock Box Review by:

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Reviewing the Honbay Convertible Sectional Sofa

When furnishing a living space your first thought might not be to shop Amazon. It sure wasn't my first thought. That is the last place I would have considered shopping for a sofa before now. But I ended up purchasing the Honbay Convertible Sectional Sofa through Amazon Prime and it turned out to be a great decision in several ways.

Reviewing this sectional sofa from Amazon.

My son recently moved to the area and was in the process of setting up short-term living arrangements in a small apartment. My youngest son and I wanted to give him a sofa. Small living space translates to small furniture. We searched nearly every furniture store in the Baltimore metro area to find a compact, inexpensive sofa that would fit the space and be easy to handle during his next move.

Every local small sofa on sale was nearly $400 and included approximately a $100 delivery fee. And some deliveries were scheduled for weeks out.

My son suggested Amazon and I was not initially agreeable. We chose the Honbay Convertible Sectional Sofa and I skeptically waited for delivery (expecting to feel regret at the purchase).

He is very pleased with the sofa! I was thrilled that it arrived quickly and with Amazon Prime's free shipping. I know that he really likes the sofa but when asking for the purpose of this review what he likes, he immediately listed:

• easy to assemble
• sturdy and well-built for the price
• tear-resistant linen cloth
• excellent size for a small space
• seating for 3 adults comfortably

It is currently priced at $319 with no delivery costs - saving us nearly $200! It was delivered as easily as any other Amazon package.

This sofa has been great with the dogs. The cloth is durable - no punctures or rips from those sharp dog toenails. Because of the low price tag, I expected the covering to feel scratchy or cheap. It does not.

The chaise portion can easily be changed to either the right or left side by changing the placement of the ottomon and long cushion.

HONBAY Convertible Sectional Sofa 

I highly recommend this sofa for:

• small spaces 
• living spaces that are up or down stairs
• temporary living situations 
• folks who relocate frequently and want easy-to-move furniture
• people with a tight budget
• college students
• young families just getting started
• older folks who are down-sizing
• furnishing that guest suite
• seating for a large bedroom
• seating for entertaining and conversation areas

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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5 Steps to Help You Pre-Plan Your Dorm for Maximum Organization and Comfort

5 Steps to help you maximize space in your dorm

If you're planning to live in a Dorm, you already know that managing space is critical to creating a comfortable, livable room.

Step 1 - A Checklist of Needed Items

Before deciding upon how you'll furnish your dorm room, you'll need a college checklist of things to bring. If you don't have a list, there's a convenient ready-to-use list at BigFuture. Their list breaks down suggested items you'll need by category.

Here's a Summary of the Categories on the BigFuture Checklist:

•  Items for the Room's Décor and Storage Considerations
•  Linens and Laundry Supplies
•  Your Office and Desk Supplies
•  Electronics
•  Items You'll be Sharing with a Roommate
•  Toiletries and Clothing 
•  Household and Kitchen Items

Be sure to head over and check out their ready-to-use checklist, it's very detailed. You'll find the site a helpful resource for your college planning.

Step 2 - Acquire a Layout of Your Dorm Room

Take a dorm room photo or acquire a floor plan layout from your college or university. Get or take the measurements of the room itself. Be sure to mark or know where the main door, closet doors and windows are located in the space. Mark them on your photo or floor plan.

Step 3 - Do You Have a Roommate?

You'll know the answer to this fairly quickly. As basic as it sounds, it's critical to maximizing space in your dorm. Determine which items you'll both share and where the dividing line in the room will be. Is the window centrally located and accessible to both or will one of you have the side with a window? How about the closet or hopefully closets?

Step 4 - What Furniture Comes with the Dorm? Can It be Replaced With Your Own?

Is there a bed and a desk in the space? Do you like them? If not, can the school's items be removed and replaced with your own? Does the Dorm come with a mini-fridge and or microwave? If not, can you bring your own?

Step 5 - Where Can You Maximize Storage Space?

Traditionally in dorms, you create storage under the bed or by going vertical. If you want to see how some of the pro's have done it, check out these designs. You'll see ideas for mini-fridge and microwave storage, raised beds to create storage space and hutches above the bed and over a desk.

What Size and Style of Storage Bins or Containers Will Work Best?

Bringing a bunch of storage containers without knowing where they'll go and if they'll fit is unwise. Double check what will work for your dorm's design. The way to do this is by measuring your space, your furnishings, and knowing ahead of time the bed you'll be using.

Here are options for different types of storage items:

•  Over-the-door storage hanging units
•  Under the bed storage containers (what size, how big - check under the bed height)
•  Benches that double as storage
•  Hanging wall storage items
•  Cabinets with storage
•  A hutch over the desk for storage
•  Shelving units for the wall
•  A bed headboard with storage

View a collection of the above items plus many other storage product ideas here.

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Dorm Storage Bins Reviewed

Maximize Storage In The Dorm

Dorm Space Is Limited
image courtesy of pixabay.com

A review of dorm storage bins might come in handy for many as the time for young adults to go off to college approaches. The students who are required to live in a dorm room or opt to continue dorm life will quickly find that storage space is at a minimum.

Small spaces shared with at least one more inhabitant can become crowded and cramped very quickly. The old adage "A place for everything and everything in its place" applies particularly well in a college dorm room. For freshmen students, this will be the first time living away from home. Mom or Dad won't be around to pick up after them. If there is a mess, it will be up to them to clear the clutter they created. 

A great solution is to provide your college student with the option of storing much of their necessaries in storage bins. Of course, we need to understand that they may promise to use them but may not for a while. It might take some time for them to tire of tripping over things left on the floor to see the beauty of those bins you so lovingly provided. A few or maybe many times of not being able to find something they need might be the catalyst for them to use those bins. Well, at least, we can hope! Another adage comes to mind, "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink." Some will embrace the concept while others will forever wait for someone else to clean up the mess. At least they will have the option if the storage bins are there waiting for them.

A collection of different sized containers in a dorm room can be so very handy. They can be placed under beds, stacked on the floor, placed on shelving units, or just about anywhere to conserve space and add to the storage dilemma. We as parents and grandparents know the value of having containers to help prevent clutter so we can gently remind out young adults of the value as they leave on the adventure of living away from home.

One option that I found appealing was a collection providing medium, large and jumbo sizes. The fabric is a durable bamboo blend and comes in either a gray and brown color or a dark taupe. Nothing flashy just colors that will blend-in nicely. There is also a sturdy rope handle that will allow for easy moving if heavy items are placed inside. 

Storage Bins For The Dorm

What do you think? Would the college student in your life benefit from a storage solution like this for their dorm room?

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