College Dorm Packing 101

Here’s everything college students need to make their dorm room feel more like home.

Price and stock could change after publish date, and we may make money off these affiliate links. Learn more.

July 28, 2022

By: Amanda Mushro

Related To:

Shop This Look

View The Gallery

1 / 11

Add These to Your Packing List

Your teen leaving for college is a mix of emotions– from "Yay! We’re so excited for them" to "OMG, I’m going to miss them so much." It can be a lot, but before they’re ready to leave, it’s time to do some shopping. While their college will give you a list of must-have items for their dorm room, we’ve found a few more that will surely make their dorm room feel like home.

XL Mattress Pad

Dorm room beds are notoriously uncomfortable, and an easy fix for this is to add a comfy mattress pad. This twin XL mattress pad will make any mattress feel extra soft and comfortable so your college student will get a better night’s sleep.

BUY IT: Amazon, $35.99

Shower Caddy

One of the not-so-glamorous sides of dorm life is the shower situation. However, a great shower caddy will ensure you never forget your shower essentials. This caddy is large enough to hold all of your shower must-haves and the nettings make sure no water gets stuck inside the caddy.

BUY IT: Amazon, $5.99

Cozy XL Sheets

Comfortable sheets are a must, but you don’t have to break the bank to get great bedding. These sheets from Amazon are so soft, come in dozens of colors, and have deep pockets for easy bed-making. Honestly, you’ll want to replace all of the sheets in your house with these once you see and feel them.

BUY IT: Amazon, $34.97

Laundry Basket Bag

Your college student will need a place to toss their dirty clothes, and with this basket that doubles as a bag, carrying everything to the laundry room or laundromat is so much easier. This bag can hold up to three loads of laundry and even has pockets for their detergent. Now, it's just getting them to actually wash their clothes!

BUY IT: Amazon, $16.99

Surge Protector with USB

There never seems to be enough outlets in a dorm. This power bar with surge protector comes with 8 AC outlets and 4 USB charging ports so they can charge all of their devices and laptop at the same time.

BUY IT: Amazon, $12.98

Desk Organizer

Great for keeping their items organized on their desk or in their closet, this organizer is also a wireless charging station for all of their devices. So stock them up on school supplies so they are ready for their dorm room study sessions.

BUY IT: Amazon, $34.99

Desktop Vanity

If you have a makeup guru, they will not be happy with the dorm lighting. So get them this lighted vanity mirror that folds up when it’s not being used. With smart lights that make it easier to apply makeup to magnifying mirrors that make doing brows a breeze, this light is a fan favorite on Amazon. Plus it comes in tons of fun colors.

BUY IT: Amazon, $23.99

Cordless Vacuum

We hope they are cleaning their dorm room and if we give them the right tools, it might just happen. This cordless vacuum is super lightweight and can be used on all floor types and rugs. Plus it’s so tiny, it can easily be stashed in a closet or in a corner until it’s needed.

BUY IT: Amazon, $33.99

Towel Wrap

Another shower essential for the ladies, a towel wrap. This lightweight wrap makes heading to and from the showers easier. Don’t worry about your towel falling or trying to slip on clothes right after your shower, this wrap makes the shower process in a dorm a lot easier.

BUY IT: Amazon, $11.99 - $17.49

Personal Fan

Dorm rooms sometimes run hot and a small fan is needed to be comfortable when your college kid is sleeping, studying, or just hanging out. This fan is small but mighty and will keep them cool without taking up too much space in the dorm.

BUY IT: Amazon, $19.99

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Here’s What NOT to Pack for College, College Reveal Parties are the Latest Trend for Teens and their Parents, 10 Dorm Essentials That’ll Simplify College Life

Follow TLC on Apple News