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10 College Dorm Essentials

The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Washington chapter.

One of the most exciting parts about committing to a college is thinking about how you’ll decorate your dorm! The first step, however, is thinking about some of the essentials that you’ll need to bring with you. Here are 10 dorm essentials (and some nonessential decor) that I’ve loved during my first year of college! 

1. Mattress Topper

This one is a must. A good mattress topper will make your twin XL bed feel like home. I found myself excited to jump back into bed after a long day of classes just because of how comfortable it was. Invest in a good mattress topper and you’ll thank yourself later! 

2. fasta pasta 

For any pasta lovers out there, check out the Fasta Pasta on Amazon. This microwaveable pasta-maker is a game changer for busy college students. Whenever I’m in need of a quick, easy dinner, I throw some pasta noodles into my Fasta Pasta, add some sauce, and call it a day. 

3. Blendjet  

The cute and compact BlendJet is good encouragement for eating healthy while maintaining a college lifestyle. This portable blender comes in a variety of pastel colors and is perfect for making smoothies or breakfast bowls! 

3. Storage crates

The Urban Outfitter’s Felix Folding Storage Crates are versatile without becoming an eyesore in your dorm! These foldable containers are great for storing a variety of items, from makeup and hair products to food and drinks. 

5. homey decor

Remember to bring some decorations that remind you of home! For me, this looked like bringing some art prints that my best friends created, photos of friends and family from home, and even diffusers that smell like the beach! Homey decor helped my dorm feel similar to my room at home and definitely eased my homesickness on rough days. 

6. games

For some fun nights in the dorm, bring card games. Some of my favorites are For the Girls and We’re Not Really Strangers. Playing these games with new friends from college has helped me get to know them so much better! Pro tip: the game boxes can double as cute decor! 

7. silverware set

Snag a silverware set from home before you move into your dorm. Having a set of reusable utensils is way less wasteful and environmentally friendly than constantly buying plastic ones! 

8. brita filter

Another great investment for your dorm room is a Brita filter. You can even split the cost of one with your roommate(s)! 

9. Fairy lights 

One of my favorite parts of my dorm is my roommate and I’s fairy lights that we strung through all of the walls. They add great lighting to the room and add to the aesthetic as well! 

10. bed rest pillow

Make sure to grab a bed rest pillow! It can act as a makeshift headboard on your bed or a nice pillow to rest against if you like to do work on the floor. 

Get excited to decorate your dorm! Remember to bring these essentials and get ready to transform your dorm into your home away from home!

Koren Kano

Washington '26

Koren is the Editor-in-Chief of Her Campus at the University of Washington. She's loved being a part of this wonderful chapter for three years now, from being a writer to a Contributing Editor to now the Editor-in-Chief. She is a senior at the UW with a major in Psychology and a minor in Law, Societies & Justice. Koren is from Honolulu, Hawai'i, which is reflected in many of her articles. She enjoys writing about college transitions and experiences, fashion, and finding joy in new places.