Last Minute Dorm Essentials with Links
Creating a home away from home is essential for starting off college on the right foot. It is your place to come home to after the end of a long day and it becomes your living room, bedroom, kitchen and getting ready, studying and hang out space all in one. There is a lot to cram into this small space. Here are some of the must haves according to our 3 daughters 23, 21 and 19.
First and foremost the best gift you can get your college student is this Furbo treat dispenser so they can see their dog when they are away at school. (Leave the dispenser at home with your pup!) We got this for our girls for Christmas last year and they drop in frequently to say hi to our dog and to us! Such a fun way to stay in touch with the family pet. Plus they can introduce their dog and family to their friends (which happens more than you'd imagine!) They can see her tail wagging and her cute little face and they can talk to her through it and get her to sit, lie down and when she hears the sound she immediately gets her lazy butt off the couch to come say hi! Win win for the college kids and the dog! The key is to set up an email for your dog and all log in that way so multiple family members can access the furbo ;) I imagine this might work for cats as well? We love ours!
As for room decor -make sure the room is cozy. Lots of comfortable pillows, blankets, a memory foam mattress topper, a rug and floor pillows or poofs and storage cubes so people can gather in your room but not always use your bed as the couch. Our middle daughter does not like other people sitting on her bed so she had her bed raised so it was less likely that people would sit on it when they came in to hang out. Know yourself. If you know something will bother you try to set up your room to avoid it. A headboard is also great in the dorms because it helps to keep everything from falling down behind your bed. All three of our daughters have used this headboard in their dorm room. Our girls picked neutral bedding that was easy to wash, two sets of sheets and accent pillows to match their decor/act as extra cushions when you are using your bed as a couch. If you raise your bed you also have room for a lot more underneath. It also helps to have a storage cube to use as a step up if you do loft your bed. Grab some decor items that fit your aesthetic style and come up with a way to display pictures of your favorite friends, pets, family members. A few faux plants helps your room feel like home too. And of course a stuffed animal or sentimental item or two! Trust us when we say our adult kids love these weighted stuffed animals too.
Furbo Headboard Mattress Topper XL sheet set Satin Pillowcase Cozy Blanket desk fan dorm cube fridge fridge/freezer combo brita filter ice cube tray with lid dorm microwave storage cart laundry hamper on wheels drying rack storage drawer set storage cube shelf storage cubes extension cord husband pillow Stuffed Animal body pillow String Lights Wall Art Art Adhesives Set of 3 Diamond Mirrors picture display board picture display vanity mirror with lights makeup storage slippers sporty dress sunglasses melatonin Vicks sunset projection light
Your desk acts as your vanity as well so grab a mirror, some storage sets for your make up and use a drawer to store your hairdryer and hair products. A good power cord (or two) is essential to charge all your devices and to plug in your hairdryer. Don't forget the organization tools. You don't have a lot of space so use what you can to make underbed storage easier to access and to keep your desk organized. Our girls mostly use their desk as a vanity to get ready but if there is a place for all your makeup and hair products then you can easily put things away when it's time to study there as well.
All this goes for living off campus too. Create a home away from home that can act as your bedroom, office, living room and get ready space when you need some alone time. It's great of course to have a shared kitchen and living room when you live off campus but it's also nice to create a sanctuary that is all yours. Whether your place is furnished or not finding some extras on Facebook marketplace, target or amazon can help make your space feel more finished and cozy. Our daughter has her own bathroom and walk in closet in Virginia off campus which she loves as well!
We have included some items we ordered from Amazon that you might not have thought of including some first aid items, melatonin for getting used to sleeping in the dorms with a new roommate and some meds in case you get sick and can't get yourself to the local pharmacy till you feel better (pack a box of tissues or two and bandaids too!) Extension cords for all the chargers, lights, fridge, etc. Comfy slipper like shoes for dorm life (lots of fun colors), easy dress for walking/tennis/going out in lots of colors (we are partial to the pink and black), cute trending sunglasses (IYKYK) that you won't worry about losing. A water filter for your fridge, lime packets if you don't like the taste of the water, ice makers to fit in your dorm fridge, glue dots to hang up posters and pictures, a drying rack for your lulus, a lighted mirror for your makeup and some extra storage and a fun light. Don't forget all the day to day essentials that you are used to just grabbing from your pantry or hall closet. Try to keep track of what you use in a given day at home and what might become an essential to pack for school! Laundry tip: we love color catchers and clear tide pods for dorm life-less staining of clothes and easy and light weight to carry-plus a laundry hamper with wheels....
It is also nice to keep your room at home mostly set up like it has been so when you come home it feels cozy and welcoming and not barren because you took everything with you to school. Plus it makes traveling back and forth easier because there is less to pack! No matter what your room will be your sanctuary so make it feel like you!
