A Minimalist Guide to Dorm Room Essentials

Recently, we went to Target to buy items for my son’s dorm room. Ironically, my minimalist epiphany occurred in the Target parking lot when he was a baby. But this trip was very different. We had our list of dorm room essentials and were intentional about every single purchase. We ask questions like:

• Do we need something new?
• Can we repurpose an item we already own?
• Is this purchase absolutely essential on Day 1 or could you experiment without it for a few weeks?
• Will this item add value and do you have space for it in a small dorm room?
• Can you live without this item and thus make it easier to keep your room clutter-free and neat? 

Over the course of the last few months, we have talked about what items to buy and more importantly, what NOT to buy. I have seen obscenely long lists of alleged dorm room essentials. And I challenge many of these items. My dear friend loves to send me sales alerts about things to buy. And we’ve had some fun conversations about what each of us is buying, or not buying.

Consider this, most college students live in a dorm for two years and then a lot of these items become obsolete. Additionally, in talking to veteran parents, students typically packed half the amount of stuff for their sophomore year as compared to their freshman year.

And guess where all that extra stuff is going to live? Yep, your house. So here’s how we’re minimalist shopping for dorm room essentials to avoid overbuying and waste. I created a list of things we’re buying and things we are not buying.

Buy List:

• Mattress Topper – I bought the 3-inch Cadillac mattress topper. Because I believe that quality sleep and his health are important so I did not cut corners here.
• Mattress Pad and Bamboo Sheets  – Again, sleep is not the place to save money. I chose a high quality mattress pad and the bamboo sheets he loves. And since he knows how to do laundry, one set of sheets is enough.
• Comforter – We opted for the $25 twin XL comforter at Target. There’s no need to overbuy.
• Tool Box – My husband researched a basic tool box that we will use for move-in day and leave with our son. This was a pro-tip from a veteran mom.
• Paper Planner – My son has used a paper planner for 2 years in high school with great success. He looked at several to find one that meets his needs before they were picked over.
• Medicine/First Aid Kit – I’m putting together a box of over-the-counter medicine based on what he has taken in the past and works well for him. His will include a thermometer, ice packs (2), Tylenol, Motrin, Mucinex, Tums, Tylenol Cold, and Flonase. Don’t forget to refill prescriptions now and send the next refill with them if you can. But most prescriptions can be transferred to a university pharmacy.
• Command Hooks – I recommend the 5-lb hooks. Also, I purchased the velcro-style for hanging decorations and a cork board.
• Comfy Collapsible Bag Chair – This is another pro-tip from a veteran parent. I would not have purchased it otherwise. And it folds up to save space and can be repurposed for picnics or tailgates in the future. 
• All-Purpose Cleaner and Micro-Fiber Cloth – Keep it simple. We’re packing one simple solution that will clean every surface.

Not Buy List:

• Ikea Bags – We are absolutely going to use them. But we inherited four from my goddaughter who just graduated college. Use your network. And be sure to label them with name and dorm room.
• Mini-Fridge – Our friend’s son just finished college and passed on his mini-fridge. Check FB Marketplace and Buy Nothing Groups before you buy new.
• Pillows – He has pillows. I’m not buying new ones.
• Blanket – Every house, mine included, has extra blankets. No need to buy a new one and it would be very wasteful for us to do so.
• Towels – We own 12 towels for our family of three and they adequately serve us plus many guests. So, two towels will go to school with my son and we won’t experience any towel emergencies.
• Fan – I’m not buying the damn fan. There, I said it. It is one of the most advertised items I have ever seen. And Costco is making a lot of money on that thing. My son’s dorm has AC.
• Clothing – Of course we purchased a few new pieces of spirit wear for his school. But this is an area we are definitely minimalist packing. Specifically, I encouraged him to pack 10-12 t-shirts, 5-6 pairs of shorts, 5-6 pairs of long pants, 2-3 pairs of flannel pants/sweatpants, and 5-6 long-sleeved shirts/sweatshirts. Less clothing means less laundry. You’ll thank me for this when they bring home laundry at fall break.
• Shoes – Excess shoes are likely to clutter the floor of a small dorm room. With Christmas coming, new shoes make a great gift to replace what he needs.
• Plastic Drawers – There are adequate drawers in most dorms. My son’s room has a 3-drawer dresser, two additional drawers below his closet and two large drawers in the desk. Treat these as a boundary for how much to pack. But if your student has specific needs for additional storage, be sure to define the use of the drawers before you buy.
• Extra Toiletries – We packed a normal-sized starter set of the items he uses to make it easy to carry to the bathroom. College campuses have stores in walking distance. So he can replace items as needed. And this means less stuff to keep in his room.
• Power Strip and Extension Cords – Yes, we are packing both of these items but we already have a power strip and extension cord he can take with him. If needed, I can buy another power strip. Use your resources at home first.
• Office Supplies and Organizers – There are lots of cute desk organizers, colorful staplers, etc. We looked at all of them at Target and identified what he needs, how he will use it, and are purchasing specific items online. Remember, students need space to work at their desk. Keeping it clutter-free will help. Most students will have a computer and books on this limited real estate. Since we measured his desk through the virtual tour , we concluded he will put his supplies in the drawer instead. And he’s using his favorite coffee mug as a pencil holder.
• Water Bottles and Travel Mugs – Most homes have so many of these. We are not buying new ones. If your student loses theirs, mail them one of the extras.
• Hamper – He received a really nice laundry bag for graduation. And the bag will serve as his hamper too. It’s fewer steps to doing laundry. Keep it simple.
• Decorations – Hear me out. I am not responsible for buying decorations for his room. However, my son can choose to spend his money on additional decor if he’d like. This is a great way to teach wants versus needs and more importantly, budgeting.

Wait and See:

• Air Purifier – Since this is a health item, I am seriously considering it. But for now, we are not buying one until we see the space.
• Desktop Organizer – We found an organizer with a narrow footprint but we are holding off to see how he uses his desk.
• Unknowns – I fully expect there will be items that will make his life easier and more enjoyable. And I might already own them but Amazon also delivers. 

Conclusion

Take a deep breath. Whatever you purchased is enough. Wait and see how they use their room for at least a month. And if you purchased items you want to reconsider, that’s great. You can return them. Do it now before they take up residence in your house because the longer any item stays in your home, the less likely you are to ever return it. And I think you’d be wise to return a few things.

Perhaps your struggle is you know you own some of these items, but cannot find them. And you don’t have time to look for them.

You do have time.

Start trading the time you spend shopping and declutter your home instead. Locate items for your student to save time and money because college is expensive.

What dorm room essentials are you buying or not buying for your college student?

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