An Organized Lifestyle

Dorm Room Essentials | Favorite Products For Organizing A College Dorm Room

August 5, 2024

Hello, I'm Rachel
I’m a busy mom, entrepreneur, and an expert in organizing your home, office, and life. I believe in the profound impact of organizing on every aspect of life. 
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Did you know our entire organizing team consists of moms? Well, now you do! And guess what? Four of them have kids in or heading to college, making them the official experts to share their favorite dorm room essentials. It’s like we’ve hit the jackpot with professional organizer moms who have firsthand experience with college dorms and getting them organized! Below are the team’s recommended essential items for organizing college dorm rooms.

If you need a personalized list for your son or daughter’s college dorm room, please reach out. We’ve been helping clients create comprehensive lists to ensure their kids have the most organized dorm rooms and are ready to start school on the right foot. An organized dorm room is the best way to kick off college, and many of these products can be reused in their next space, whether it’s an apartment or a different-sized dorm room.

Poppin storage seat.

Essential for storing extra towels, linens, or blankets. Plus, it doubles as extra seating or a footrest.

Stackable storage drawers

Since most dorm rooms have small dressers, these drawers provide extra space for clothing, food storage, accessories, and other items.

Hanging shoe organizer

Although it’s ideal for storing shoes, it can also accommodate a variety of items like tennis balls, extra water bottles, and more. It’s perfect for making the most of vertical space in a closet.

Turntable 

Ideal for a variety of items such as bathroom essentials, snacks, hair accessories, or school supplies, making it perfect for placing on top of a desk or dresser.

Over the door hooksCommand hooks

Hooks are incredibly versatile for hanging towels, hoodies, backpacks, robes, and any other items you need to store on the back of a closet or room door.

Rolling Cart with Divided Caddy and Pegboard attachment

Rolling carts are essential for dorm room organization. They’re ideal for storing a Keurig, snacks, hair tools, and products near your desk. Additionally, these carts are versatile and can easily transition to an apartment where they serve as convenient storage next to a laundry machine for detergent and supplies, in the kitchen for daily use items, or in the bathroom.

Vanity mirror for desk w/ storage

Ideal for placing on a desk or atop a dresser, with the added benefit of extra storage.

Fan

The ideal fan for sweltering dorm rooms, reaching every corner despite its compact size. It features a remote control and offers both rotation and oscillation.

Velvet Hanger

A must-have for any college dorm room closet to maximize hanging space and fit as many items as possible!

Space saving hanger for smaller tops 

Ideal for items you want to hang and need extra space for.

Drying Mat

A great trick is to use a drying mat for shower flip-flops and a shower caddy to absorb water when returning to your child’s room from the bathroom. This prevents their rug or dresser from getting wet.

Ikea-like bags

Transporting everything to college can be challenging, which is why these bags are so useful. They’re large, durable, and easy to carry.

Drawer Rolling Cart with Power

When drawer space is scarce, this tower is incredibly useful. It features wheels and comes with an attached power strip, making it a true MVP for maximizing both floor and folded storage

Modular Drawers

These drawers are ideal for storing just about anything. I appreciate their customizable design—usable vertically or horizontally—and their variety of sizes. Plus, the opaque design is a bonus, as it helps avoid the cluttered look that transparent drawers can create in a small space.

Shower Caddy

For anyone with a bathroom down the hall, a reliable shower caddy is essential. This one stands out for its flexible handles and drainage holes, which allow everything inside to dry thoroughly.


Bedside Caddy

Ideal for slipping between your mattress and holding all your nighttime essentials.

Extension Cord

Perfect for managing all your cords in a single outlet.

Dimmable Desk Lamp

Featuring 10 brightness levels, a memory function, and adjustable settings, this lamp is the top choice for desk lighting.

Makeup and Jewelry Organizer

Compact and transparent, this organizer makes efficient use of vertical space rather than horizontal, making it perfect for storing jewelry and makeup.

PS. Laundry baskets and bins coming in a separate post because there are so many options!

Tell me: What were some of the essentials that your child had or uses in their college dorm room?

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hey there!

I'm Rachel, founder of Rachel & Company

I’m dedicated to helping you create a lifestyle that is more organized, sustainable, and joyously livable.

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