Bring extra seating and rugs to make your room more comfortable, especially when you have guests over.
If you loft your bed high enough, you can fit a couch, TV, or your desk underneath, but keep in mind how willing you’ll be to climb up to bed every night.
Utilize under-bed storage with storage drawers and bins for snacks and miscellaneous items store your off-season clothes in empty suitcases.
A mini fridge is a necessity for snacking after the dining halls are closed.
Coordinate with your roommate if you want to share items or have a theme for the dorm.
Change orientation of your furniture before you move anything in, if you’d like, because you’re unlikely to end up changing it after move-in day.
Bring extra lighting because some dorm rooms can be very dim.
Purchase a mirror for your desk or for the door.
Posters and photos of friends and family can spruce up otherwise plain dorm walls.
Stepping stools are useful so you don’t need to jump into bed (your default bed height may be too high to get into easily).
Throw blankets and extra pillows can make your bed more comfortable.
Some dorm rooms don’t have AC--check ahead of time and bring a fan.
Organization is key for maximizing limited space--get a small set of drawers or notebook filing system for the top of your desk.
Maximize closet space with a shoe rack, hanging closet organizers, or a double hanging closet rod.
Bring a vacuum--your carpet will inevitably get dirty and everyone on your floor will inevitably ask to borrow it.
A doorstop will be very useful during the first weeks of school--the best way to meet the people on your hall is to leave your door open!
