TheDormGuide on LTK

They may not have made your dorm packing checklist, but these are the practical things you don’t realize you need…until you need them.

Think avoiding the unexpected sunburn, being prepared when a light bulb burns out, or actually having something to cut with when you need it. These are 10 items worth grabbing before college move-in!

They may not have made your dorm packing checklist, but these are the practical things you don’t realize you need…until you need them. Think avoiding the unexpected sunburn, being prepared when a light bulb burns out, or actually having something to cut with when you need it. These are 10 items worth grabbing before college move-in!

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#ad We’ve been using Command™ Products for years on dorm and off-campus walls.

They are the best for damage-free decorating and utility - just be sure to follow the package directions for a long-lasting hold.

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Dorm Shopping Season is in full swing, and I'm answering questions every day about the best products, what to look for, how many you need...

Underbed storage, microwaves, and ottomans were hot topics this week, and these Walmart finds are in stock at hard-to-beat prices.

#WalmartPartner, #Walmart, @Walmart

Sending them off to college means they have to do their own laundry. Choosing the right laundry hamper or basket depends on the location of their laundry room. Do they have to take the stairs? A backpack makes sense. Just a walk down the hall or access via an elevator? A rolling hamper is a great choice.

Walmart is a great place to get them set for visits to the laundry room! This collection is full of some of my favorites for college.

#WalmartPartner #Walmart @walmart

17 Dorm Essentials to Buy Only at Walmart that might surprise you! These are finds for dorm rooms and apartments that are either exclusive to Walmart or are priced better than you'll find anywhere else.
@walmart #walmartpartner #walmart

Guys can be a challenge when it comes to outfitting a dorm room, but putting this room together was easy! My son came in the room to check things out and gave a thumbs-up to the softness of the comforter. And the ottoman? It doubles as a sturdy step up and has tons of storage inside.

@walmart

#walmartpartner #walmart

There are so many affordable and cute dorm essentials to find on Walmart! The nightstand is the perfect height next to a semi-lofted bed and the woven texture of the fabric bins adds so much to the room! We had fun putting this room together and so can you!

@walmart

#walmartpartner #walmart

Our favorites from Target's new dorm drop! We look forward to getting these in our hands so we can give them a test!

New as of 6.14.26 - the Calm & Charming Collection! Fun botanical prints, beautiful bedding, ottomans, and more.

#LTKHome

New at Target 6.14.26 - the Classic Academia Collection. Comfy seating, bedding with traditional patterns, ottomans, lamps and more.

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New to Target 6.14.26! The Dreamy But Bold collection features pillows, bedding, seating, lamps and more! These are a few of our favorites.

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Target is one of our favorite destinations for college dorm and apartment essentials! Target brands like Threshold and Brightroom top the list with our favorite towels and bedding. And with Target's generous return and price matching policy, shopping Target for college just makes sense! #target #targetpartner

3-Drawer storage units are perfect to tuck under semi-lofted dorm beds, but there are so many more things you can do with them! Zip-tie the rolling carts together to make a rotating storage unit, stack them to make a tall storage unit or take them apart to fit under a bed that's not lofted. So many choices! These are our picks from Target.

#LTKHome

Add a water filtration pitcher to your packing list. Students they stay better hydrated when they have cold, filtered water ready to go in their mini-fridge. The Brita 6-cup size is especially popular because it fits most small fridges. Be sure your student cleans their entire pitcher regularly and replaces the filter as recommended!

#TargetPartner @Target #target

IKEA for the win! Loads of fun dorm and off-campus essentials, and we've saved you hours of wandering the store with our top 30 picks for college.

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So many great new styles this year for her dorm room! Note that some of the new Target styles aren't officially live until June 14th! Here are my favorite picks.

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Guys can be hard to shop for..I know! Here are some bedding options for his dorm that he may actually like. ☺️

Mesh or Plastic?

Mesh caddies are great for light packing and are easy to carry, but they can be harder to clean and are not ideal if they regularly sit on a wet shower floor.

Plastic is easier to rinse and dry, but hanging it can be a challenge.

Here are a few of our favorites, plus a wet caddy storage solution you may not have thought of - a boot tray!

All our favorite dorm & college essentials at great prices during Target's Memorial Day Weekend sale!

#LTKHome

The right dorm rug makes your room feel bigger, cozier, and more put-together - here’s what to know before you buy and some of our favorites from Target!

Spoiler alert. No matter how clean your student plans to be…dorm rugs usually have a rough freshman year. That’s why I NEVER suggest spending a lot on a rug for their freshman dorm room.

Keep in mind that every college has its own rules and restrictions. Some limit the type or size of rug you’re allowed to bring, or if you can bring one at all. Always check with your school before purchasing.

So what size should you get?
5’ x 7’ Rug - The go-to dorm rug size! Perfect for adding cozy coverage between two beds without overwhelming the room.

6’ x 9’ Rug - A larger option that fits under the bed legs for a more secure feel and gives you extra floor coverage throughout the room.

8’ x 10’ Rug - Best for fully lofted beds - this size extends farther into the room, creating a comfy lounge or hangout space underneath.

And what type of rug should you consider?

Say yes to low-pile rugs that are easier to vacuum and maintain.

Say no to shag and fluffy styles! They trap everything and are genuinely tough to clean in a dorm environment.

Washable rugs can work, but many are lower quality and thinner than expected, so be cautious.

Kohl’s can be a great place to pick up dorm essentials, especially when they release one of their extra coupons!

Timing really matters here, and stacking sales plus Kohl’s rewards offers is usually where the best deals happen. These are 25(ish) of my favorites at Kohl’s!

The “Fridge Bridge” was one of our most-shared dorm solutions last year after we created it in our dorm lab and shared the setup on Instagram, so we’re bringing it back again for 2026.

You may have seen much more expensive furniture pieces designed to do something similar, but we’re always looking for practical, functional, and budget-friendly dorm solutions.

This setup not only adds extra storage for snacks and kitchen essentials but also doubles as a nightstand for both roommates.

To build “The Fridge Bridge,” all you need is:
✨ Two 13” 3-cube organizers (the 11” versions just aren’t sturdy enough)
✨ A closet shelf cut to size (we had ours cut at Lowe’s)

That’s it!

Dorm walls don’t always cooperate...

No matter how you hang decor - strips, hooks, pins - things can fall.

That is exactly why this type of poster frame is my absolute favorite for college. Oh, and they are BOGO 50% off through May 9th!

These particular frames from Target are very, very lightweight (clearly!), and have plexiglass panes, so even if they fall off the wall (which happens alllll the time), they won’t break!

Dorm walls can be a little unpredictable, so choosing a lightweight frame with plexiglass gives you the peace of mind that if it inevitably takes a tumble, you will not be dealing with shattered glass all over your dorm room floor.

Comment FRAME and I’ll send you the link to these frames plus our collection of digitally downloadable artwork - designed by college students!

#dormessentials #collegemom #dormlife #collegeparent #collegelife

Don’t get caught in a pickle! ⤵️ #ad #TargetPartner

We naturally focus on the big things when prepping for college, and that makes sense! Those are the pieces that bring comfort and function to a small, stark space. But there’s also a category of overlooked items - those little helpers that don’t seem urgent... until they’re suddenly pretty urgent. 😅

Our goal is to help students start college feeling comfortable and set up for success with affordable, non-toxic, high-quality essentials that make dorm life easier. These are 10 small but mighty items that deserve a spot on your list before move-in.

Sure, most of these can be shipped later. But many are “I need it right now” kind of fixes, and not every student has a car or easy access to a store.

🎯 Didn’t pack these things and you’ve already made that move to college? You can still get them to your dorm same-day with Target Circle 360. Right now, College Students get 50% off Target Circle 360 membership and get benefits like free same-day delivery and free 2-day shipping along with other perks college students will love.

➡️ Comment NOW and I’ll send you a link to grab these 10 essentials along with a link to sign up for Target Circle 360.

Following along for more dorm & college - it’s all we do (even after move-in)! ❤️

Subject to terms. Visit Target.com/circle for more details.

@Target #TargetPartner #TargetBacktoCollege #BTCwithTarget #backtocollege #dormessentials #dormchecklist #dormmovein #collegemovein

One dorm opinion I’m pretty loud about - skip the tiny trash cans.

When I sent my first son to college (no trash can provided by school - check that), we got a cute blue mesh ‘office-sized’ trash can with a box of small trash can liners. His roommate brought one of those little white narrow plastic bathroom trash cans.

Within a week, I got the call asking, “Can I buy a new trash can?” But you already have 2 in your room, why?
Those little cans were immediately full. Drink bottles, drink cups, pizza boxes, Chick-fil-A bags, snack packaging, dining hall to-go containers, Keurig pods, etc.

You’d think they didn’t have unlimited access to the dining hall.

My recommendation:

A slim can with a lid that opens at the short end and holds kitchen-sized trash bags - at least 10 gallons (not 10 liters, that’s tiny, and the pictures make them look big).

FYI, 11 gallons = about 40 liters; some only show liters in the size.

Having the opening on the narrow end allows you to slide it into a small space, and it will be about the same depth as a fridge or other furniture.

You definitely want a lid. They won’t take out the trash often, and a LOT of decaying yuck will accumulate.

Bonus: a foot pedal on the short end to open/close because hands-free is never a bad thing.

Check First:

✅ Some schools provide small trash cans, and some provide recycling bins. The provided trash cans are typically tiny.

✅ Some schools only allow you to bring metal trash cans. These will be more durable as you move to off-campus housing as well.

✅ Talk to your roommate, you only need one large trash can in the room.

Does anyone who’s lived in a dorm recently have trash can success stories to share? (there’s a fun question for your next social gathering )

Follow @thedormguide and comment TRASH below for the links to my favorite trash cans for their dorm room, along with our guide on what you can safely buy early for college (even before they know their dorm assignment).

#dormessentials #collegemom #dormlife #collegeparent #collegelife

➡️ Comment UP for the link to this exact 6-foot adjustable shelving unit, along with our guide on how to put together the best vertical kitchen.

My son had this setup in his freshman dorm, and now it has made its way into his bedroom at his apartment!

And remember, avoid over-toilet shelving for this solution since the shelves are half as deep (9-10”) as the unit we use, which is 18”x24”x72”, and not adjustable. You’ll lose about half of the storage space and won’t be able to hold a microwave or maximize storage by adjusting all the shelves.

Pro tip: Place the bottom shelf at the lowest level and set the fridge on it to stabilize the setup.

Using our favorite magnetic shelves and paper towel holder, along with smart over-the-door storage that can hang off the side, provides so much space for food, plates, cups, cleaning supplies, and more.

Follow along for more dorm & college tips like this one! All we do is dorm & college and we ❤️ what we do!

#dormessentials #collegemom #dormlife #collegeparent @honeycando

Picking the right nightstand for a raised dorm bed?

Height narrows it down - but sturdy and functional is what gets you through the year.

Height-adjustable dorm beds at the highest setting (captain’s height) offer plenty of storage below, but raise your sleep surface much higher than you expect.

Your student’s sleep surface will be between 37 and 43 inches off the floor, including the mattress and topper. A typical nightstand that stands 18 to 28 inches tall is not going to come close.

Look for bedside tables that are 36–42” tall.

Bonus points for built-in charging ports, sturdy drawers, and finishes that can handle the wear and tear of dorm life. Just be sure to check your school’s housing page for any furniture restrictions before you buy.

This Huuger nightstand is one of our favorites. Sturdy, affordable, available in multiple colors, and a great fit for a semi-lofted bed.

Comment NIGHT for the link to our favorite nightstand and our full dorm essentials guide with more nightstand recommendations.

#dormessentials #collegemom #dormlife #collegeparent #collegelife

Get a little creative with your grad gifting by including some fun games to help them break the ice in the dorm! I selected some favorites of my boys and some recommendations from our Dorm Shopping Facebook community of parents, too!
#target #targetpartner @Target

Nothing says “I picked my school!” like fresh NCAA gear. From game days to everyday campus life, it’s something they’ll wear on repeat. Grab their school colors, add a gift card, and you’ve got a gift they’ll be pumped about! These are some of my favorite picks (multiple schools available for each!).

#target #targetpartner @Target

You’ll rarely see a student without their water bottle, so why not make it one they love? These are the perfect grad gift - colorful, useful, and something they’ll grab on the way out the door every day. Add a gift card inside for a little surprise upgrade! 🎓 I’m loving the new Owala styles!

#target #targetpartner @Target