DORM ROOM ESSENTIALS FOR GIRLS💁♀️
Moving both our daughters to college was so exciting and daunting at the same time! Both our girls were so organized and had a clear vision of the decor (of course, they are MY daughters) and a pretty good idea of the basics but we took what we learned from our oldest daughter, Lila and she passed it on to Edie who is the “Queen of All Creature Comforts” and also holds the title “Buys the Most of Amazon in My Family”and she refined the must haves very well. So much goes into creating the perfect and prettiest dorm on the floor and your babe thing will want to make it a comfy, cozy, efficient home away from home
The following will help you find what we think is a full college packing list and more to help you get ready and living your best dorm life!
Note: affiliate links, maybe used in this post. I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase with my affiliate link. Read my full disclaimer here.
BED ESSENTIALS 🛏️
1. Mattress Topper
Truth is dorm room beds are not comfortable at all and your beauty rest is so important especially in college so make sure you invest in a comfortable, high quality, mattress topper
2. Duvet Cover
We think this is your chance to make a statement because it is the largest piece of furniture in your room. It is just so important to have cool bedding you love. It sets the tone for the overall design of the room as well. My girls opted for a comforter cover and a comforter insert in case they wanted to change it up at a later time.
3. Comforter
Insert!
4. Pastel Sheets
Bed sheets are another good idea to feature your bed as the centerpiece of your room’s design. Mix and-match patterns that complement your comforter, but don’t exactly match and add lots of interest to your bed. Of course, comfy and affordable are a must.
5. Fluffy Pillow
Our personal favorite way to accessorize any room and add tons of personality to your room. Tell a cute story about you with your pillow choices. Plus, having lots to prop up and of different sizes helps when working in bed and you need the support.
6. Checkered Pillow
Just another one;)
7. Ottoman/Step Up
Super cute and functional too to help your girl get up to her raised bed, but also has storage in the lift off lid and can act as a little perch for one of her friends hanging out.
Lighting Essentials💡🔆
Lighting helps set a great mood either for creating an energized space or chilling out when things should wind down. Edie had many different light options and she had the best hack for lighting her string lights on her wall. She got a step on/clicker extention cord so that instead of messing with plugging in she just hit a button and they came on.
1. Salt Rock Lamp
Having these has helped Edie set the mood when its time for bed but she doesn’t want the big LED ceiling light to be shining in her face. Its a nice comfort light to start her bed time routine or to hangout in while doing homework. Also amazing for absorbing negative energy and can be used to roll on sore muscles.
2. Desk Lamp
This little desk lamp was great for Edie when they were doing their homework in the afternoon or getting ready for class in the morning. It wasn't too bright that it wouldn't wake up their roommate but just bright enough to see everything!
3. String Lights
Love the comfy cozy night lighting? These lights are the perfect touch to lighting the room without the TOO bright LED ceiling light. This creates a nice lighting to chill in.
4. Peace Sign Wall Light
A cute touch for sure! Hung above Edies bed, this made for again such cute lighting at night.
5. Happy Light
This becomes more important when the gray days approach but like, her mama, Edie needed it to help her with Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD)
6. Beauty Mirror
Has many light settings for the different times of the day. Warm lighting for the morning and bright white lighting for geting ready for a night out with the girls.
APPLIANCES☕️🧊💨
1. KEURIG Coffee Maker
Edie being a huge coffee drinker, having her choice of hot and cold coffee in the morning was a great way to start her day. This machine made getting her cold brew so much easier!
2. Air Purifier
Since college dorm air is not the best and especially when the sickies are always circulating, Edie liked having this in her room. They helped “suction all the dust” according to Edie as well to help keep room clean
3. Vacuum
Small and easy to hide away but perfect and strong enough to get those crumbs and dust bunnies out of there.
4. Oil Difuser
Most dorms don't allow candle burning so this is a great alternative and creates a nice scent without being too overbearing and is on the natural side. Mix your essential oils depending on the season and create your signature dorm room scents. Thieves oil is also good to diffuse when the winter comes and kids are getting sick
5. Ice Machine
Instead of going to her neighbors for the “good ice” for her cold brews, she decided to treat herself to her own and loves having that right in her room
6. Steamer
Edie takes hers everywhere, even overseas. It is so easy and convenient and no ironing board necessary
ELECTRONICS📻🔌
1. Extension Cords
THIS IS A MUST HAVE!!!!! Have several of these and different kinds for different uses. The kids are so plugged in that they need plugs for everything. Loved Edies hack for her string lights on her wall that instead of plugging in everytime, she would hit the button and they turned on.
2. Power Cord
Very versatile and with limited outlets in the room this helps maximize what can be plugged in. USB ports in this as well
3. Long Charger
Limited outlets so you need a long charger for access no matter where you are on your side of the room
4. Heating Blanket
So awesome to have as an added create comfort and so many times the room could be cold so the extra snuggle factor was nice
5. BOOM Speaker
Needed especially for when getting ready with your friends or for nice background ambience music, we think this color is so cute too!
ORGANIZATION🗑️🧺
1. Cube Storage Bins
Cute canvas patterned bins to go in bedside shelf or anywhere in the room you need
2. Cubed Bed Side Shelf
With a high bed, having this shelf to act as a bedside table and then have additional places to put more stuff was so good for her
3. Dresser
Biggest score and most requested item from a picture I posted of her room. Functional and cute. Edie loved this.
4. Makeup Holder
Nice way to organize and handy to see when getting ready
5. Clothing Bags
So good for taking clothes to college and for under the bed for things you are not using right now. Huge and stackable maximizing underbed storage
6. Storage Bins
Storing away your blankets and duffle bag, this is a great way to keep it hiden under your bed. It also collapes to help save some room when its not needed.
7. Double Sided Laundry Bin
Helps to seperate your darks from lights and it has pull away bags that makes the trip to the washer so much easier.
8. Shoe Basket
Keeping your shoes out of the way under your bed, this basket makes it look cute without showing all your shoes
9. Velvet Hangers
These hangers are a MUST HAVE. You dont have to worry about your clothes falling off again. Also the thinness of these hangers help you fit more clothing in your tiny closet.
10. Wall Hooks
Dont have room in your closet to hang your coats and bags, no problem! Stick one or two of these on your wall and there you go. They are strong and can hold your backback or even your heavy winter coat!
11. Food Rack
Compact and sleek and fit right next to fridge in a small space and was on wheels for easy in and out when needed. Stored snacks and things for drinks, paper products, etc
WALL DECOR🖼️🪞
1. Wall Mirror
Extra and simple wall mirror to make your wall decor unquie
2. Cork Boards
Great to hang photos on your wall
3. Butterfly Wall Decals
Gives your wall texture and dimension and a little bit of a POP… literally
4. Wooden Poster Hangers
A pretty way to hang your posters in your room with just one little hook.
5. Door Mirror
You always need a full length mirror for outfit checks and mirror selfies;)
MISCELLANEOUS🤷♀️
1. Cold Brew Coffee Glasses
Love for cold brews in the morning!
2. Mircowave Stuffed Animal
The absolute best for back pain and cramps when your body starts to get sore. Just heat it up for a bit in the microwave and it stays hot for a long time.