When you spend time at college, you may find that there are unusual dorm essentials that you didn’t think of when you first made a list of what to pack for college. We’ve all been there. Here we list some unusual dorm essentials that you may need for college.
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This post takes a look at unusual college dorm essentials that you may discover you need for college.
When you first began to pack for college, you probably loaded up on dorm room essentials and the tools that you need to be successful in class. You did the right thing—one of the main reasons people go to college is to study and earn a degree.
But once some time has passed, you start to discover that there are some things you might have missed. Sometimes you need to live in a place for a while before you discover what you need or don’t need for college.
Here is a list of some items that you may have missed that may prove to be useful for living in a college dorm. Items on the list range from the practical to the fantastic. From wrinkle release spray to board games, we’ve got you covered.
In our opinion, these are the types of items that can make a college dorm room feel more like home. But when planning your college essentials packing list, you should always check with your college or university guidelines on what to bring (or what not to bring) to college to make your dorm experience feel more like home.
39 (Unusual) College Dorm Essentials That You Didn’t Know You Needed
Here are some unusual dorm essentials ideas that can help to make dorm life more comfortable and convenient. Check your university or college guidelines to help you determine what items to bring (or not to bring) to college.
1—Sound Machine.
A sound machine produces ambient noise meant to help you sleep or relax. Examples of sounds include rain, thunder, and forest sounds.
2—Fan.
College dorm rooms can be stuffy, and having a portable fan can help to circulate the air. A fan can also help you stay cool during warmer weather periods at the start and end of the school year.
3—College Planner.
A college planner is useful for helping you plan your life. When you’re busy, it can help to be able to see things written clearly in front of you, like when your exams are or when you have practice or study reviews, etc. It’ll also help you keep track of dates and social outings with friends. If you don’t want to miss anything, then it can be helpful to have a planner.
4—Hand Sanitizer.
Hand sanitizer is great item to have. These hand sanitizer bottles have a cute design that looks great on a desk.
Travel size hand sanitizers that attach to your backpack, wallet, or handbag can also good to have when you are on the go.
5—Breath Mints.
It can be good to have breath mints when you need to talk to some one. Especially if your crush is sitting near you in class.
6—First Aid Kit.
It sucks to need a bandage for a paper cut or an over-the-counter medicine for times when you don’t feel well… and no shop is open in the middle of the night.
Having a first aid kit in your dorm can help prevent this by making sure that you have basic necessities like antibiotic cream, pain reliever, cold and flu medicine, allergy medicine, Tums, and cough drops. Many of these items are sold separately, so it helps to customize a first aid kit to fit your needs as you go.
7—Laundry Bag.
A laundry bag is really helpful for carrying laundry down to the laundry room. And a couple of laundry pods are a lot lighter in weight than a big bottle of liquid laundry detergent.
8—Handheld Garment Steamer.
An iron and ironing board can be awkward to store in a dorm room. A handheld steamer can do a similar job of straightening out wrinkles and making your clothes look more presentable. This can be a good tool to have when it’s time to do interviews for internships and jobs.
9—Wrinkle Release Spray.
Wrinkle release spray can be a convenient way of getting wrinkles out of clothes.
10—Stain Remover Pen.
A stain remover pen makes it easy to treat stains when you’re on the go. Since you’re probably spending most of your time on campus and away from home, this can be a really convenient thing to have. Plus, it may help you cut back on having to do laundry.
11—Utility Cart.
A utility cart provides a convenient way to store college dorm essentials.
12—Shower Shoes.
Shower shoes are essential for communal dorm living.
13—Backrest Lounger Pillow.
If you spend any time studying on your bed, then you know how awkward it can be to arrange pillows for resting on. A backrest lounger pillow makes it easier to propel yourself up for reading or studying while in bed.
14—Essential Oil Diffuser.
An essential oil diffuser can make a room smell better, especially when living in small spaces.
15—LED String Lights.
You’ve probably noticed that most of your classmates have LED string lights on the walls of their dorm rooms. String lights are fun and they provide ambient lighting when you want to relax. These LED string lights feature clips for holding photos of family and friends.
16—Storage Ottoman.
A storage ottoman can be used to decorate a dorm room, and it also offers a stylish way to store a few items.
17—Dorm Room Decorations.
Things like photo grids, macrame wall hangers, faux houseplants, LED string lights, throw pillows and blankets, and rugs can make a dorm room feel more like home. Add a few things that express your style and make your room feel cozy.
Pineapple Potted Artificial Plant
Boho Pictures Wall Collage Kit
Hanging Artificial Plant with Pot
18—Mini Dry Erase Board.
Dry erase boards are great for hanging outside your door so that your friends can leave you notes when you aren’t home. They can also be a good way to leave notes for your roommate, and to make notes to keep track of things that you need to do.
19—Command Hooks and Strips.
If your college or university dorm allows them, Command hooks and strips can be an easy way to attach items like posters and photos to the wall.
20—Insulated Water Bottle.
An insulated water bottle is a must have for helping to keep your water cold when you’re on the go.
21—Water Filtration Pitcher.
If your water tastes better, then you’ll probably be more likely to drink it. A water filtration pitcher can help you save money by letting you filter your own water, instead of buying bottled water.
22—Mini Refrigerator.
A compact refrigerator makes it easy to keep snacks and cold drinks ready in your room. A mini refrigerator with a freezer is great for storing things like ice, ice cream, and a stash of frozen burritos.
23—Single-Serve Coffee Maker.
A single serve coffee maker can help you save money by making your own coffee in your dorm room. Plus, you can brew your favorite coffee flavors at home.
24—Storage Organizers.
Storage organizers are a must have for keeping things organized in small spaces.
25—Laptop Backpack.
A laptop backpack is great for those times when you need to carry a laptop around, and a few personal items, around.
26—Charging Station.
A charging station can make it easier to charge phones, tablets, and other electronic gear by providing extra outlets and USB connections to help charge them.
27—Mattress Topper.
If you’ve somehow made it this far without a mattress topper, then you know how uncomfortable dorm beds can be. A 3 inch memory foam mattress topper can change the way you sleep and make your bed a much more comfortable place to be.
28—Fleece Blanket.
A fleece blanket can change your life when it comes to sleeping or lounging around the dorm. Stay cozy and comfortable during cold winter days and nights with a fleece blanket.
29—Step Stool.
A step stool can be useful in a dorm room, especially if your bed is raised or you need help reaching the top or your closet or posting a photo to the wall.
30—Noise Canceling Headphones.
Noise canceling headphones are great for minimizing outside noise and distractions when you need to concentrate to study. They are also great for listening to your favorite music or podcasts.
31—Personal Blender.
If you like to make smoothies, then you should have a personal blender. These can help you make delicious smoothies from that leftover fruit cup that you picked up in the cafeteria. Add some yogurt or milk and you have an easy, healthy snack to drink while studying.
32—Costumes.
College is full of toga parties and costume parties and all sorts of reasons for dressing up. Make sure to have a few costumes ready, because costumes can be one of the hardest things to find at the last minute.
33—Snack Food Stash.
Always keep some snacks on hand. You never know when you will need them. Especially when it’s mid-terms or finals time.
34—Games.
Sometimes you want to relax by playing a good card game or board game with friends. An impromptu game night is a great way to socialize and meet new people in college. Games like Clue, Cards Against Humanity, and Catan are popular choices.
35—Microfiber Hair Towel.
Microfiber hair towels are great for absorbing excess moisture when you are trying to dry your hair.
36—Towel Wrap.
A towel wrap is convenient to have when it’s time to travel to or from the shower.
37—Picnic Blanket.
If you spend a lot of time outside or on the Quad, then it’s nice to have an outdoor picnic blanket to sit on.
Add a portable speaker (sold separately) and some snacks or cold drinks, and you’re all ready to have a picnic break while studying.
38—Rain Gear.
If you’ve ever been stuck in a rain storm on campus, then you know how easy it is to get drenched while you’re walking between classes or back to the dorm. Keeping an umbrella or pack able rain poncho in your backpack can help you stay ready for the next time that a storm catches you off guard.
39—Rain Boots.
If you live in a place where it rains a lot, then rain boots are essential. They keep your feet dry as you walk around campus, which is much better than sloshing around in wet shoes.
This post was all about unusual dorm room essentials that you didn’t know you needed when you went to college.
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credits
- Photos by Taryn Elliott / Pexels, George Milton / Pexels, Eneida Nieves / Pexels , and Eva Bronzini / Pexels
- Photos are for illustrative purposes only.