A Minimalist’s Guide to Dorm Room Essentials

Last year, my son and I went to Target to buy items for my his 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 a list of dorm room essentials and were intentional about every single purchase. We ask questions like:

• Are we sure 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 summer, we 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 sent me sales alerts about things to buy. And we’ve had some fun conversations about what each of us was buying.

Consider this, most college students only live in a dorm for one-two years and then a lot of these items become obsolete. (Our son is moving to an apartment next year.) Additionally, in talking to veteran parents, students typically pack 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. 

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. Keep in mind that dorm rooms are a Twin XL size so the mattress topper, sheets and comforter will not fit normal twin beds in the future.
• 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. No need to overbuy.
• Tool Box – My husband researched a basic tool box that we used for move-in day and left with our son. He loves this item and it has been really helpful. However, if you have extra screw drivers and other tools in your house, you can easily create a simple tool kit for your student.
• Medicine/First Aid Kit – This is a must have! I put together a bag of over-the-counter medicine based on what he has taken in the past. We refilled it over winter break. It included a thermometer, ice packs (2), Tylenol, Motrin, Mucinex, Tums, Zantac, Tylenol Cold, and Flonase. Don’t forget to refill prescriptions two-weeks before they leave and opt for 90-day refills if you can. Most prescriptions can be transferred to the on-campus pharmacy.
• Command Hooks – I recommend the 5-lb hooks because they will hold most items. Also, I used the velcro-style for hanging decorations and a cork board.
• Shower Caddy – For the dorms, they do need a shower caddy unless they are in a suite and have a private bathroom. I tried to repurpose the camp shower caddy but after nine years of camp, he preferred to pick out something new. I get it.
• Comfy Collapsible Bag Chair – This is another pro-tip from a veteran parent and my son loves it. He will take it to his apartment next year as well. It folds up to save space and can be repurposed for gaming in our basement.
• All-Purpose Cleaner and Micro-Fiber Cloth – Keep it simple. We’re packing one simple solution that will clean every surface. He also liked having a Swiffer for the laminate floors. When we visit, we bring our Dyson Stick-Vac for the boys to use too.

Not Buy List:

• The Fan – I’m not buying the damn fan. You know what one I’m talking about. They did not need it. It is one of the most advertised items I have ever seen, running a close second to the Instapot. And Costco is making a lot of money on that thing. Don’t fall for this advertising.
• Ikea Bags – We love these and used them! But we inherited three from my goddaughter who just graduated college. Use your network. And be sure to label them with name and dorm room. 5 bags in this size were ideal.
• 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.
• Paper Planner – My son used this paper planner for 2 years in high school with great success. By the end of his freshman year, he was using just a digital planner and calendar and I would not recommend buying this unless your student is committed to a paper planner.
• 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.
• 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 will clutter the floor of a small dorm room and they smell bad. His wardrobe had two large drawers and he used the bottom one for shoes to keep the floor clear. 
• Plastic Drawers – We did not buy additional storage devices. 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 and this shower caddy. 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 an extra power strip and extension cord. 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. Students need space to work at their desk. Keeping it clutter-free will help. They will have a computer and notebooks on this limited real estate. We decided his supplies would go in a desk 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. Remember, rooms are small so 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 budgeting. He decorated with Halloween lights and a few other items on his own dime.

Wait and See:

• Air Purifier – Since this is a health item, I considered buying it, but I do not believe it would have made any difference. College students will get the “frat-flu” as they call it. It is inevitable. Pack the meds above and know they will learn how to take care of themselves with a few phone calls home to mom. it. At Winter Break, they did ask for a humidifier which we added for the winter months.
• Desktop Organizer – We found an organizer with a narrow footprint but found he did not need it.
• 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. Our son found that he liked coffee but it was really expensive so he bought a Keurig and refillable pod for his room.

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 do not think you need, that’s great. You can return them right now! 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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