Basic Things You’ll Forget You Need

• Cleaning supplies
• Vacuum
• Duster
• If you’re in a suite, toilet paper, toilet brush, hand towels, hand soap
• A case of water bottles
• A first aid kit, with band-aids, Advil, antibiotic cream, etc.
• Laundry bag
• A trash can with bags
• A power strip with an extra-long cord and a surge protector (some come with USB strips)
• Room deodorizer (candle, if allowed, or air freshener)
• Earplugs

It’s All in the Details

1. Pack only the wardrobe you will need until your next break. For example, bring your summer and fall clothes and exchange them when you’re home at Thanksgiving.
2. Store your valuables in a safe. You’ll remember where they are and be kept in a safe place.
3. Check with your roommate before you buy a mini-fridge or microwave or any large or shared item. Also, not all colleges allow microwaves or coffeemakers so be sure to check the policy.
4. Buy an egg crate foam mattress topper to add comfort and a zippered mattress cover to prevent bedbugs.
5. If you wear makeup, have your desk do double duty with a makeup mirror and organizer tucked away.
6. Be sure to talk with your roommate about matching bedspreads and other colors in order to have a more cohesive space.
7. Pastel colors make your dorm room seem more spacious and airy.

Cute Accents and Accessories

1. Washi tape is adorably patterned and can be used to designate your belongings or brighten up bland bookshelves.
2. http://www.chasingpaper.com/ has fun stick on wallpaper that is usually within many colleges guidelines. You can also put it on boring furniture in the room or even mini-fridge.
3. You can’t go wrong with matching monograms.
4. A pretty, neutral rug like this one https://www.pinterest.com/pin/12596073936391812/, warms the floor and space.
5. Twinkly lights  tone down the harsh florescent lighting in dorm rooms and personalize the space (be sure to check your school’s policy first).
6. Not everyone loves curtains, but they are a prettier alternative to the mini-blinds that colleges often have. (this dorm room is cute https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/0c/59/5f/0c595f2d1644e9f1a3d8bfd4a482e815.jpg).
7. Poufs and Beanbags Chairs provide extra seating for guests in your room, a coffee table, or place to throw your clothes after a long day.
8. Personalize your dorm accessories using mason jars, vases, and tin cans as seen on http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2013/5/9/0/Original_Chelsea-Costa-Desk-Organizers-Beauty1_v.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.1288.jpeg). The instructions for how to do so are http://www.hgtv.com/handmade/make-your-own-desk-accessories/index.html