The printable dorm checklist
Grouped by category so you can print it, tick it off, or paste it into a spreadsheet and split the shared items with your roommate.
This is the same content as our full dorm essentials guide, arranged so you can work down it in a shop or on a phone. Print the page, or copy the tables into a spreadsheet and add a column for who is buying what.
Two things before you start, because they change the list:
- Read your housing contract. Fridge capacity caps, banned appliances and whether lofting is allowed all change what you should buy. See what not to bring to a dorm.
- Message your roommate first. A fridge, a fan, a rug and a microwave are all better shared. Agreeing in July saves you both money and saves the room from two of everything.
Sleep
| What you need | Our pick | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin XL bedding setTwin XL is 39 × 80 in — five inches longer than a regular Twin | Bare Home Twin XL Bed-in-a-Bag, 5-PieceSee all our picks | $31.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| Spare Twin XL sheet setAbout $12. The highest-value dorm purchase there is | Amazon Basics Twin XL Microfiber Sheet SetSee all our picks | $11.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| Mattress topper, 2 inchUnbox it 2–3 days before you need the bed — it off-gasses and needs to expand | Linenspa 2-Inch Gel Memory Foam Topper, Twin XLSee all our picks | $44.29 | Buy on Amazon |
| Mattress protector and a pillowAbout $27 together. Most bed-in-a-bag sets include a pillowcase but no pillow | Whatever you already own works | — | |
| #ad — Amazon links in this table are affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this site is funded. | |||
Desk and power
| What you need | Our pick | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clamp desk lampUses no desk surface. Aim for 450–500 lumens | Lepro Clip-On LED Desk Lamp, 460 lmSee all our picks | $17.54 | Buy on Amazon |
| Surge-protected power stripMost dorms require surge protection, not a plain extension cord. Check the joule rating | Yintar 6 ft Surge Protector, 6 Outlets + 3 USBSee all our picks | $12.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| Desk organizer, notebooks, stationeryAbout $25. Buy on campus in week one rather than guessing now | Whatever you already own works | — | |
| #ad — Amazon links in this table are affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this site is funded. | |||
Bathroom
| What you need | Our pick | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mesh shower caddyFull mesh so it drains. A solid base grows mildew | Attmu Mesh Shower Caddy ToteSee all our picks | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| TowelsTwo bath towels. Quick-dry if there is nowhere good to hang them | POLYTE Microfiber Quick-Dry Waffle Towels, Set of 6See all our picks | $32.39 | Buy on Amazon |
| Shower shoes, robe, vented toothbrush caseAbout $38 together. Shower shoes are not optional in a communal bathroom | Whatever you already own works | — | |
| #ad — Amazon links in this table are affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this site is funded. | |||
Storage and laundry
| What you need | Our pick | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under-bed storage, wheeledMeasure the clearance to the lowest obstruction first | Yecaye Under-Bed Storage with Wheels, 2-PackSee all our picks | $27.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| Two laundry hampersTwo, so sorting happens as you undress. With handles, for the laundry room | Lifewit 80 L Laundry Hamper Bags, 2-PackSee all our picks | $12.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| Hangers, a mesh wash bag, detergentAbout $28. The mesh bag eliminates single socks permanently | Whatever you already own works | — | |
| #ad — Amazon links in this table are affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this site is funded. | |||
Comfort and the room
| What you need | Our pick | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clip fanPoint it OUT of an open window to exhaust hot air | Genesis 6-Inch Convertible Clip FanSee all our picks | $14.94 | Buy on Amazon |
| Mini fridge (shared)Check the capacity cap. Split it with your roommate | Midea 3.1 cu ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Energy StarSee all our picks | $189.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| Command poster strips, a rug, a doorstopAbout $35. Poster strips, not tape or tacks — tape takes paint off | Whatever you already own works | — | |
| #ad — Amazon links in this table are affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this site is funded. | |||
Bring from home, do not buy
- A basic first aid kit — plasters, painkillers, a thermometer
- A small sewing kit and a few safety pins
- A reusable water bottle
- An umbrella
- Chargers for everything, and one spare cable
- A copy of your insurance and medical details
- Two pens that work
Buy after you arrive, not before
Wait on these. You will know what you actually need in week one, and some of them are cheaper or only sold locally:
- A rug — once you have seen the floor and agreed with your roommate
- A second lamp or any decoration
- Cleaning supplies — bulky to transport and available everywhere
- Food and snacks
- A desk chair cushion, if the chair turns out to be bad
- Anything your RA says is prohibited, which you will find out at the first floor meeting
The short version
- Message your roommate before buying. Fridge, fan, rug and microwave are all better shared.
- Read the housing contract first — fridge caps and banned appliances change the list.
- Unbox a foam topper 2–3 days early. It off-gasses and needs 48 hours to expand.
- Wait until you arrive for the rug, decoration, cleaning supplies and food.
Common questions
What should be on a dorm checklist?
Twin XL bedding plus a spare sheet set, a mattress topper and protector, a clamp desk lamp, a surge-protected power strip, a mesh shower caddy, towels and shower shoes, under-bed storage, two laundry hampers, a clip fan and a shared mini fridge. Roughly $400 to $500 for one student.
What should I buy before move-in and what after?
Before: bedding, topper, towels, caddy, lamp, power strip and storage — the things you need on night one. After: a rug, decoration, cleaning supplies, food, and anything your RA turns out to prohibit. Waiting avoids buying things twice.
What should roommates share in a dorm?
A mini fridge, a microwave if allowed, a rug, a fan and any cleaning supplies. Message each other in July — splitting a 3.2 cubic foot fridge costs less each than two small ones and saves the room from two of everything.
How much does a dorm room cost to set up?
Roughly $400 to $500 for one student buying everything new, or $250 to $300 if you share the fridge and fan and buy the budget picks. See the full dorm list for line-by-line totals.