College Apartment and Dorm Room Essentials Checklist

The key to a stylish and functional dorm room or college apartment is to start with the same design basics you’d use to decorate any space. Once you’ve chosen a basic color and décor concept, look for ways to incorporate smart storage solutions that maximize space and hide clutter. With a bit of creativity, you can do a lot to make a small room as comfortable as a spacious one. For inspiration, see 10 Ways to Make a Small Room Look Larger.

• If you’re allowed to paint the walls in your new place, it’ll make your dorm or college apartment truly feel like home. For help with the basics, including guidance on using paint and paint supplies, see How to Paint a Wall, Trim and Ceilings.
• If you aren’t allowed to paint your walls, a great way to add color and texture to a bland white or beige room is by hanging removable wallpaper. You can cover your walls completely or use it to create an accent wall to complement the existing paint color. See How to Hang Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper for help.
• You can also dress up your space by hanging beautiful wall art and mirrors. For mounting tips, check out How to Hang a Picture. If the property owner or dorm won’t allow you to use nails or standard picture hangers, don’t worry. There are lots of damage-free picture hangers available.
• If you’re not sure where to begin when selecting a color scheme for your apartment bedroom or college dorm, start with a new bedding set. It’ll serve as a great focal point for the room. For more decorating tips, see our Renter’s Guide to DIY: Bedroom Makeover.  
• An area rug’s another excellent way to add color and create a sense of separation in a space with an open floor plan. You can also use an area rug in a corner along with a futon or sofa bed to create a cozy nook. See our area rug buying guide for help with choosing one.
• House plants add life to any room and can be placed on tables and windowsills or even hung from the ceiling. Live plants are always beautiful, and they can be fun to care for. However, if you prefer a low-maintenance option, there are lots of artificial plants that look like the real thing.
• Temporary blinds and shades help control the brightness in a room and lend a stylish touch. 
• For homework and studying, you’ll need a designated work area where you can spread out. A nice desk with a desk chair will create the perfect place for writing papers and teleconferencing. You’ll also need plenty of light for late-night study sessions. A desk lamp with an LED bulb will help conserve energy.

• Adding some creative storage solutions — like underbed storage — to your college apartment or college dorm checklist will maximize space. Closet organizers with storage bins, baskets and hangers are also great for holding items that you don’t need as often. For more ideas, see How to Design a Closet. 
• Desktop organizers will keep notebooks, notepads, pens and school supplies in their place. 
• A memo board’s ideal for writing yourself reminders or leaving a note for your roommate. 
• For hanging coats, umbrellas, keys and anything else you want to keep off the floor, there are a variety of hooks and wall racks available. 
• Media cables for TVs and cords for computers and other electronic devices can crowd the floor space in a small area. To keep these out of the way, try some cable management products. 
• To protect electrical devices from damage due to power surges, use a surge protector. These also provide extra outlets for charging phones and tablets. See our Surge Protector Buying Guide if you need help choosing the right model.

• When making your back-to-college checklist, you’ll need to add kitchen essentials for dining at home. If small appliances are allowed, start with a single-service coffee maker, a mini fridge and a countertop microwave. If you have a kitchen, you’ll also want some cookware and food storage containers to keep leftovers fresh. 
• A compact vacuum cleaner will ensure your floors are clean. 
• A portable fan and air purifier will keep the air in any room cool and clean. 
• You never know when you’ll need a tool for tightening a screw or making a small repair. A multipurpose tool always comes in handy, and it doesn’t take up a lot of space.

• School requires a lot of hard work. So between classes, study sessions and writing term papers, it’s important to take some time to de-stress. A great way to unwind when the weather’s nice is playing an outdoor party game with friends.
• No college experience is complete without attending your favorite sporting events, so you’ll definitely need some fan gear to show your team spirit. 
• For getting in a quick workout, invest in some low-profile fitness equipment like yoga mats and dumbbells. You can easily store these under your bed or in your closet so you don’t have to worry about tripping over them. You’ll also want a fitness tracker to keep up with your progress. During exercise sessions, be sure to keep a water bottle on hand to stay hydrated.
• To catch up on your favorite shows while you’re away at college, take along a streaming device. 
• If you have a roommate, a good set of headphones will let you listen to music, podcasts or audiobooks without disturbing them. Adding some acoustic panels to the space can also do a lot to keep the noise down.

Packing all your dorm room necessities is much easier and quicker when you plan. When making your college supply checklist, be sure to remember essentials like moving boxes and packing tape. To learn how to pack the smart way, see Moving Tips: Checklists for Packing and Moving Out.