Getting ready to leave for college is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful. I remember it clearly – I spent the months prior to move-in frantically shopping with an amateur dorm room checklist that most certainly didn't cover everything I needed. But that was in the past – now, having spent four years at university and two more in graduate school, I know exactly what a proper dorm room checklist needs.
You see, when it comes to planning your college dorm room, every detail matters – from the sheets you choose to the storage under your bed. Your dorm will become your home away from home, so it's important to decorate as such.
To avoid any shopping stress, I've made a cohesive checklist of all the things you need to get your dorm room ready for the school year. And for your convenience, I've broken this list down into six categories: for the bed, for the desk, for the walls, for the floors, for the organization, and for your comfort. I've also incorporated decorating tips, words of advice, as well as some stylish products to consider for your room.
This dorm room checklist will save you time, keep your dorm room organized, and minimize your back-to-school woes. College is stressful, but with a well-thought-out dorm room, you'll be ready to tackle the school year like a pro.
1. For the bed
College dorm rooms are small. And since each room usually houses between two and three people, there's hardly any privacy, let alone personal space. Because of that, your bed becomes your oasis. It's probably the only spot in your shared room that's truly yours, so make the most of it.
Start your bed's design with something practical like a headboard. Most often, college dorm room beds are simply pushed up against the wall, with little to no decorative appeal. A headboard can help with that. Plus, it'll provide a comfortable spot on which to lean while sitting upright in bed.
For extra comfort, consider the best mattress topper for dorm beds. Dorm beds are notoriously firm, almost to the point of discomfort. A mattress topper can greatly improve the comfort of the bed, and so can the bedding you choose. The best bedsheets can keep you cool and comfortable while you sleep.
As for what goes on top, I always recommend choosing a comforter over a duvet cover for a college dorm. They're simpler to manage, easier to clean, and usually more cost-effective. Plus, a comforter in a fun color or print can help enliven the look of your small room. As a final word of advice – don't go overboard with pillows. Your twin-sized bed is already small enough!
This comforter is made from 100% woven cotton to ensure ultimate comfort while sleeping. Plus, with its striped design, it can actually help make your small room look larger.
It's always a good idea to keep a blanket in your dorm room. This cable knit style will keep you cozy in bed while you sleep, or provide extra warmth around you as you study.
Despite its simple design, this headboard is a key element to your dorm room checklist. It'll provide extra comfort to your bed setup, and it even has a built-in outlet for your convenience.
Dorm room beds certainly aren't known for their comfort. That's why it's important to add a mattress topper to ensure you'll sleep well. Made with memory foam and a breathable cover, this model is bound to keep you comfortable.
This percale sheet set is cool, crisp, and breathable. It includes one flat sheet, one fitted sheet, and one pillow case that can ensure a comfortable sleep on your dorm room bed. Plus, it's available in over 10 different colors and patterns, so you can pick which will match your dorm decor best.
Trust me, the last thing you want on your twin-sized dorm room bed is a mountain of decorative pillows. All you need is one or two good pillows to ensure comfort and style. Choose a pillow design that complements your bedspread, and you're all set.
2. For the desk
Although your university probably has lots of study spots scattered across campus, it's important to set up a work station in the comfort of your dorm room. Your room will most likely come pre-furnished with a desk and a chair, so you won't need that. However, you'll have to get all of the right accessories to make your desk a conducive environment for productivity.
In my experience, the best way to organize a desk is to keep it as simple as possible. Often, miscellaneous items clutter your desk and make it hard to get work done. You don't need an extravagant set up – just a few good accessories.
I'd recommend getting some small jars and a small tray on which you can place pens, scissors, tape, and other immediate necessities. As for your computer, it's helpful to have an adjustable stand for ergonomics. And of course – don't forget about light. A small table lamp can help keep your work illuminated during a late night study session, and it won't take up too much space on your desk.
Getting a large desk organizer might do you more harm than good. Instead, get something small, like this set of three jars and a tray. This can keep your pens, pencils, and other necessities in check, and its gold color will add a bit of style to your desktop.
Working late? Don't wake up your roommates by turning on the big light. Instead, use a small desk lamp to keep your workspace lit. This green lamp is the perfect size for a small desk, and looks super cute, too.
Typing in the same position for hours isn't good for your body. To alleviate some stress, opt for an adjustable laptop stand. Its design can improve ergonomics by raising and lowering to meet your needs. Plus, by elevating the laptop, this stand can create more space on the desk for papers and books when studying.
3. For the walls
Since dorm rooms typically have minimal floor space, look to the walls for decoration. Most often, dorm room walls are painted in a solid, neutral color, which can look boring and uninspiring. Implementing wall decor ideas can enhance the look of the space.
If you're in the mood for a dorm room DIY, try applying peel-and-stick wallpaper to create an accent wall. This can instantly bring color, pattern, and style into the room.
To infuse the room with personality and character, you'll want to add pictures on the walls. Instead of using double-sided tape, consider hanging your pictures from string and clothespins – a rustic wall decor idea that'll give your room a cozy, lived-in feel.
For practicality purposes, you'll need a pinboard. Mount it next to your desk to hang your calendar and to-do lists, or consider mounting it near your door so your roommates can use it too. Wherever you hang it, a pinboard can help make those blank dorm room walls look a bit less empty.
At 36" x 40", this pinboard is a great size for your dorm room. It's simple in color, meaning it won't clash with anything you add to it. Use it to hang notes, pictures, or other mementos.
Wallpaper can add character to any room, and peel-and-stick variations make that process ten times easier. This peel-and-stick paper features a charming floral pattern in French country style that'll look stunning as an accent wall in your dorm room.
This hanging photo display is a cute and easy alternative to the traditional gallery wall. Just mount each side to the wall, clip in your favorite photos, and you're good to go. Plus, you can swap out photos easily and at any time.
4. For the floors
Although there is minimal floor space in your college dorm, it's important to utilize every inch of it to make the most of your space. A decorative rug can make the room more inviting and also hide the cold and unattractive tile which lays below. When choosing a rug for your dorm room, consider factors like size and color. 5' x 8' is a standard rug size for dorms, and consider choosing a shade that can hide dirt well.
As for the rest of the floor, you'll want to decorate it with furnishings that make sense for the space and benefit your lifestyle. A rolling cart and storage ottoman can be ideal inclusions – a rolling cart can hold snacks, a coffee maker, and miscellaneous items, while a storage ottoman can help with organization and act as a seat for guests.
Decorating your floor with stylish, functional pieces can certainly help you take advantage of the small space that is your college dorm room.
Bring some style underfoot with this decorative rug. This design features a low-pile, which is ideal for dorm rooms. Plus, its all-over floral pattern can help hide stains.
A rolling cart is always a good idea for a dorm room. This one features three tiers of shelving – convenient for all sorts of storage. Plus, you can easily push it out of the way when need be.
In my first dorm room, I used an ottoman like this one not only for storage, but as a stool to help myself into my lofted bed and as extra seating for friends. This model is completely customizable, so you can pick whichever fabric will work best in your space.
5. For the organization
Because dorm rooms are so small, your organization skills will need to be top tier. Since you'll be sharing the space with one or two other people, it's important to be courteous and keep the space tidy. Bedroom organization ideas can help with that.
To maximize the space and keep your dorm room looking organized, take advantage of unconventional storage hacks, like a bedside caddy. Hanging it beside your bed will create a proper space for your phone, a book, and headphones. And don't forget to use below your bed for storage, too. This can be a great spot for storage containers, laundry baskets, suitcases, and even a rolling cart if your bed is high enough off the ground.
The closet might be the hardest spot in the room to keep organized, especially if you have to share it with your roommates. A clever closet storage idea is to buy collapsible hangers that hang clothes on top of each other rather than side by side on one rod. This easy idea can help you store more clothes in your closet in an organized manner.
Make the most of your closet space by using space-saving, collapsible hangers. This 12-pack can hang upright on a rod in your closet, but it can also fold down flat to create more room for clothes.
There probably won't be enough space in your dorm room for a bedside table, so opt for one of these instead. This bedside caddy features Velcro straps that can attach to your bedframe for stability. Plus, it has eight convenient storage compartments.
This basket is perfect for underbed storage. It features a lid, which makes it ideal for stacking, and its woven design adds a level of style. Use it to hold extra blankets, miscellaneous room supplies, or even extra clothes.
6. For your comfort
Your dorm room will become your home away from home. While you might only live there for less than a year, it's important to make the space as cozy, inviting, and comfortable as possible.
One way to do this is through lighting. Although the rejection of the 'big light' has been a common lighting trend over the last few years, universities clearly haven't caught wind of it. Your dorm room will most likely have a harsh, overhead light in the center of the ceiling. To make it look better, consider adding a shade around it – this can soften the light and create a more comfortable ambience in your room.
To ensure the comfort of your guests, invest in a few floor cushions. These cushions can provide a place for friends to sit when they come to your dorm room to study or hang out. And when not in use, simply stash them under your bed.
Finally, it's always a good idea to have a coffee machine in your dorm room. Although there are probably coffee machines in the dining hall, keeping one in your room will allow you to make coffee whenever you want, in the comfort of your space.
This shade cleverly mounts to the ceiling and can soften the light output from the ceiling light in your dorm room. It's incredibly easy to install, remove, and it'll add a level of style to your space.
It's always a good idea to have a few floor cushions – if not for your friends to sit on, then for extra style in the room. With its fun, striped pattern, this cushion can add a pop of color to your dorm room.
Enjoy a tasty cup of coffee from the comfort of your room with one of our editor-approved best coffee makers. This Nespresso Vertuo Pop is quite small, which makes it ideal for dorm living.
And there you have it – a comprehensive dorm room checklist complete with all of the college necessities. With ideas for your bed, desk, walls, floors, and whole-room organization, this dorm room checklist will set you up for success this school year.
But before you start the fall semester, you might want to brush up on some cleaning tips. After all, you don't want to attract bugs to your room. Knowing how to keep pests out of your dorm room will ensure a clean space and peace of mind.
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