Let’s state the obvious: Sending your child off to college for the first time in a post-pandemic world is nerve-wracking. To that end, making sure they are packed and ready to go can be even more daunting. So you might as well start getting those dorm room essentials together—especially considering that the shelves at Target, Walmart and HomeGoods are typically pretty picked over by the end of August. (And you best believe that bedding set you’ve been eying will be long gone before syllabus week).
From what we’ve seen, dorm rooms haven't changed much since our college days and if that's the case, small space storage hacks are the key to making sure your college student doesn’t feel like the walls are closing in on them (forced triples, we're looking at you). Think: bed risers, desk organizers and slim kitchen appliances that can squeeze into even the most narrow nooks and crannies.
So below, find 25 dorm room essentials—from bedding, decor and appliances to must-have organizers—that will help your kid stay organized and thrive throughout their freshman year.
