Designing a dorm room is what some students look forward to the most!

Moving into residence is without a doubt one of the most exciting times, but designing your dorm room might just be the most fun part of it all. From picking out bedding patterns to printing out digital photos to hang-up, there are so many opportunities to personalize your new space.

Although this is such an exciting time in your life, it can also be stressful – that’s why we are here to help. Let’s go through the must haves, the items you might want, and the things you can probably live without.

1. Must haves

Bedding

The #1 dorm essential: bedding.

Dorm rooms are small and often plain, but the best way to liven up your room is to focus on your bedding design. There are a few components to making a comfortable bed, and each one is equally as important as the next.

First, you need a mattress pad to mask the discomfort of the sometimes thin and plastic covered dorm room mattress. Next, fitted sheets are essential for comfort and hygiene. I recommend cotton sheets because they are breathable, soft, and long-lasting.

And of course (the best part), you need a duvet + duvet cover or comforter. This is the best opportunity to design your dorm and choose the colour and pattern you want to centre your room around.

Pillows

As a university or college student, sleep is one of the most important things. Plump, hypoallergenic-fill pillows are your best bet to get the best night’s sleep.

Towels

I recommend getting at least 1 large towel, 1 hand towel, and 1 face cloth. 100% cotton towels also have the benefit of becoming softer as they are washed. These towels are lightweight, breathable, and quick-drying – great for dorm living.

Laundry hamper

Unfortunately, a residence laundry room is not usually the most accessible place. An easy to carry, lightweight laundry hamper is the best option for students to be able to transport their clothes back and forth.

Laptop (+ school supplies)

This includes a laptop as well as chargers, adapters, headphones, tablet, cloud storage/an external hard drive, notebook, and pens.

Documents

Checklist:

• Passport
• Driver’s licence
• SIN
• Credit card (+ bank account information)
• Health card (+ medical documents)
• Emergency contact

Clothes (+ hangers)

Obviously, clothes are essential but remember that you don’t have a lot of room in a university or college dorm room and chances are you will be doing shopping while at school. Take moving to school as an opportunity to go through your wardrobe and decide what you should keep and what to donate.

2. Wants

Throw blanket and extra pillows

Although these are not essentials, they can definitely enhance your small space. Extra pillows and a throw blanket on your bed can make lounging around more comfortable and overall, just make your room have a cozier look.

Drying rack

I would definitely consider this a valuable item to include in your dorm room checklist if you have delicate clothes that cannot go in a dryer. But beware, when you’re drying your clothes in a small dorm room, the drying rack often takes over the entire room.

Tip: Choose a laundry detergent scent that you’ll be comfortable with overpowering the smell of your dorm room.

Tip: Check to see if there is a no scent policy in your residence and consider this when using highly fragrant laundry detergent and dryer sheets from certain brands.

Desk fan

If you tend to run hot or if you are in a residence without AC, a desk fan may be a great option for you to help you sleep or study more comfortably during warmer months. It can also act as quiet noise if your dorm room mates or resident floor are noisy.

Area rug

An area rug is great for both functionality and style. I personally preferred having an area rug over the bare room dorm floor. Whether you have hard floors or a carpet, an area rug is still great because it’s easy to clean, adds your own personal style, and is often more comfortable.

Bath mat

If you are in a residence that has a shared bathroom, a bath mat may not be essential for you. If you are in a residence with a private bathroom, a bath mat is definitely a great option for cleanliness. Although some university residences may come with a bath mat, bringing your own is a good idea – especially because it can be brought with you into second year and beyond.

Shower shoes

If you are in a residence with a shared bathroom, shower shoes are an easy and probably a necessary purchase for cleanliness (those shared bathrooms may not always be well maintained).

Cleaning supplies

It might be important to bring the basics such as an all-purpose cleaner, wipes/paper towels, dish soap, sponge, toilet bowl cleaner, laundry detergent, trash bags, toilet paper and air freshener.

Tip: Check if the residence that you are moving into has a vacuum, dustpan, or other cleaning supplies you can use.

Mini fridge

Most schools offer a meal plan to first year students, so a mini fridge may not be necessary. That being said, a mini fridge is a convenient item that would be useful for someone who often has leftovers or likes to have drinks on hand. Check with your school’s policy as to whether you are allowed to put one in your residence room. Some schools also have a partnership with Coldex for their fridge rental program.

3. Non-essentials

This list are items I would not recommend to take with you to school. What they end up doing is cluttering up your room making it harder to stay organized, and you can likely live without them for a short time.

Streaming box

You can probably live without the 20 different subscriptions for a year (or at least just stream on your laptop).

Coffee maker

Again, most residences come with a meal plan – including coffee. It wouldn’t be ideal to stuff your limited space full of appliances (plus some traditional residences also don’t have the capacity to hold appliances).

Candles

It is often against residence rules to have candles in your room, so this is an easy item to skip when packing. If you want scent, you may replace a candle with an air freshener.

Too many decorations

For one, you don’t want to worry about damaging the dorm room walls. And, as I have mentioned, residences are small spaces and there is limited space to set up decorations. A few decorations to liven up your space is a great idea but just be mindful of the items you bring.

Conclusion

Moving into residence is hands-down one of the most exciting times for a new university or college student. Everything is new and inspiring, but it also comes with its challenges (like what to bring). Focus on the must-haves like bedding, pillows, towels, and your essential tech gear, as these will be the foundation of your new living environment. Consider adding a few wants, such as a throw blanket or desk fan, to enhance your space without overloading it. While it’s easy to get carried away with non-essentials, remember that dorm rooms are small, so prioritize what’s truly necessary to avoid clutter. By striking the right balance between comfort and practicality, you’ll set yourself up for a successful and enjoyable year ahead.