We can help you find great products for your dorm at great prices, but first, you need to do your school-specific research to determine your dorm setup and dorm guidelines!

As mentioned in the Dorm IQ Welcome post, every school has different dorm policies, housing rules and regulations, different room layouts, amenities and different items they provide or only allow you to rent through them. The frustrating part is that it can be difficult to find all of the information you need in one place. This topic is all about finding the information you will need.

Because every situation and every student is different, we are firmly against dorm checklists and recommend you not use the many floating around the internet. Rather, do your research as outlined below and join the Dorm Shopping Recommendations & Deal Alerts Facebook group for guidance, deals and help with your questions as you build your own list and start shopping.

If you’re not on Facebook, read through the end of this article for our resources on how to build your own list. And if you’re on Instagram, you can follow us there for shorter snippets of what happens on Facebook!

How To Find Your Dorm Policies, Dorm Room Measurements And More

Bookmark Your College Website’s Housing Page

Many colleges have stepped up their game when it comes to their online details to help you plan for dorm living. You may find anything from floor-by-floor building layouts and floorpans with room and furniture dimensions to simple lists of what’s provided and basic rules and requirements related to what you can and can’t have in your dorm room. 

Having trouble finding the housing page it on your school’s website? Google ‘<name of school> housing’ or ‘<name of school> residential handbook’ or ‘<name of school> residential life’

Once there, navigate the page or section for your dorm, or if you don’t have your dorm assignment yet, look for freshman housing options.

PRO TIP: Even if you don’t know your dorm room assignment yet, it’s not too early to start researching the dorms on campus, what their rules and regulations are along with variations of room layouts available which may include:

• Traditional double dorm rooms (two single beds)
• Triple or quad housing
• Single dorm rooms
• Suite style dorm / apartment style dorm with multiple bedrooms and shared or private baths

If you’re not able to narrow down your building or dorm layout yet, the following steps may need to wait, but read on to find the list of what you’ll want to know before dorm planning and shopping.

PRO TIP: Follow your college housing Instagram account! These accounts have so much great information about move-in, events, what you can and can’t bring and more. During move-in week, you’ll even likely find real-time information about traffic and where to park reminders.

Start Your Dorm Room Research: What To Look For

PRO TIP: Decide where you are going to keep track of all of the information you’ll need to gather before you start shopping. A spreadsheet, notes app, notebook? Get it ready so you can start to document your findings. 

Dorm Room Layout And Facilities

1. Dorm room style/layout – If you’re not sure of the exact room, can you narrow down the style of the room (eg: all freshman are in traditional double rooms)? Floor plans are not usually posted for safety reasons, but you may be able to find them via the sources in the next section.
2. The size of the room – While not critical, it is helpful to have an idea of room dimensions, window and door locations, etc. Important note: keep in mind that dimensions provided on the college website may not be accurate as they may represent typical room dimensions but some rooms may vary. 
3. Bathrooms – Is there an attached/private bath or a community bath at the end of the hall? If there is a private bath, are the students responsible for cleaning? Does the shower require a shower curtain? What size? Is there storage under the sink?
4. Closets – What kind of closet space is in the room? The most common are 1) an open area with a rod (or no rod), 2) a built-in or movable wardrobe, or 3) a closet with a door. This will help you determine what storage and screening items may be needed.
5. Lighting – What kind of lighting is in the room? Dorm rooms typically just have one overhead light, but it will be helpful to know. Is there a light in the closet space? Is there a desk hutch with a light?
6. Laundry – Where are the laundry facilities? Each floor, the basement or another building could be the answers. Some suite-style dorms even have a washer and dryer in the unit. Is there a cost for laundry? How is it paid? Many use their student ID to pay (no more coin-op). Also look into laundry detergent policies as some only allow liquid detergent or prohibit pods or sheets. It varies out there! More info in our Dorm Laundry 101 article.
7. Kitchens – Are there kitchen areas on each floor or somewhere in the building? What are the rules and allowed appliances in those spaces? If you have a suite-style dorm room, you may have a small kitchen or kitchenette in your unit.
8. A/C – Does the building have air conditioning?
9. Elevators – Most dorms are multi-story – is there an elevator in the building, or will you exclusively be taking the stairs?

Furniture Specifications

1. Bed Size – What size is your bed? While TwinXL is the most common, you will also find regular Twin, Full and Full XL with the larger sizes primarily found in suite-style dorms with private bedrooms.
2. Raising Beds – What are the bed height options (bunk, lofted, semi-lofted, standard level only). If you are assigned to a triple or a quad room, bunk beds may be involved. Fully lofted beds likely require a college approved 3rd party to install. See our Dorm IQ Topic for more details on raising and lofting beds and visuals on different heights.
3. Dresser – Is a dresser provided? Is it tall or short? Is it moveable or built-in? Moveable dressers are often placed under a semi-lofted bed. Are measurements provided? Can dressers be stacked in a 2-person room?
4. Desk – Are there measurements for the desk? Is there a hutch, and what is the chair like (solid wood may mean you want to pickup a chair cushion or chair back). Many desk hutches marketed for dorms are 37” wide, so it will help to know your dorm desk measurements for planning purposes.
5. Wardrobe – If the room has a wardrobe unit for a closet, are there static shelves or cubbies, are there dimensions available? Is there space for long garments along with short or only one or the other? Is anything inside adjustable? Are there built-in drawers inside or below? Is the wardrobe unit itself moveable or built-in? How much clearance is between the top of the wardrobe and the ceiling?

Is Anything Else Is Provided?

1. Are trash cans and/or recycling bins provided, and if so, what size? PRO TIP: A full-sized trash can is recommended – A little office sized trash can is not that useful.
2. Are any appliances provided? Or offered as rentals? Some schools only allow a mini-fridge and microwave if rented through them or their designated 3rd party service. A microfridge (combination of the 2) may be your only option.
3. Is there a filtered water option in the dorm? If so, where is it located? 

What Are The Dorm Policies For Furnishings and Decor?

As with the above sections, what you are allowed to bring and what is prohibited varies widely from school to school.

1. Hanging Decor – What can be used to hang decor on the walls? Some allow Command Strip products, some only allow a mounting/poster putty and some allow push pins.
2. Window Coverings – What size is/are the window(s)? Are blinds provided? Are curtains allowed? Is the window recessed a bit to allow for a curtain tension rod inside the opening or would a curtain rod need to go over or around the window?
3. Appliances – Are any appliances allowed, and if so, are there limitations? Are there appliances only allowed as rentals through the school?
   • If mini-fridges are allowed, there is typically a maximum cubic feet (eg: 3.2cuft, 3.5cuft, 4.0cuft etc).
   • If microwaves are allowed, there is typically a maximum wattage or cubic feet (eg: 700 watts/.7cuft or 900 watts/.9cuft).
   • For cooking appliances, a frequent rule is no appliances with an exposed heating element, but again, lots of variability.
4. Lighting – Are LED light strips allowed? Are neon signs allowed?
5. Rugs – Are rugs allowed? What sizes work best in this dorm building?
6. Personal Furniture Items – If space allows, are furniture items such as chairs, futons or nightstands permitted?
7. Electrical – How many outlets are in the room and are there requirements for surge protectors or other electrical items? Many schools do not allow extension cords (only long-corded surge protectors), and some require all electrical items to be UL-Listed. Please note that mini-fridges and microwaves should be plugged directly into a wall outlet or surge protector, and never into an extension cord.
8. Door Decor – Are there white boards or bulletin boards outside the door in the hallway?

Items That Are Almost Always Prohibited In Dorm Rooms:

• Paint, wallpaper
• Candles, candle warmers, incense burners, anything with a flame
• Space heaters
• Portable air conditioners
• Extension cords
• WiFi extenders
• Weapons, alcohol, drugs, smoking paraphernalia, fireworks
• Pets (although service animals may be ok)
• Decor hung directly on windows visible from the outside

How Are These Dorm Rules And Regulations Upheld?

You can expect the RA to visit the room shortly after move-in and potentially at other times during the school year.

Where To Find Dorm Room Information If It Isn’t On The College’s Website?

Here’s where you need to get creative!

1. Parent Facebook Groups and Instagram Accounts

Look for Facebook groups or Instagram profiles that are specific to the school. For larger schools, there are probably multiple groups including one for your specific graduating year. The specific year group will be so helpful, but you’ll also want to join a general Parents’ group as these are the people with experience who can answer questions. Of course, please search groups first before posting questions – use the magnifying glass icon at the top of the group.

You can search or ask questions such as:

• Are there specific dorms where freshman live?
• Can you bring xxxxxxx (mini fridge, rug, curtains, coffee maker, futon….)
• What are the dimensions of the windows in xxxx Dorm? Can you fit a tension rod inside?
• What size rugs do people use in this specific dorm?
• Do the dressers move and fit under the beds?
• Does anyone have a picture of the desk chairs provided?

2. YouTube

YouTube may be a great resource for better understanding the dorm rooms at your school. Students from prior years may have shown off their dorm rooms and decor or just aim to help future students.

Even the university may have videos intended to help future students with planning, especially those that aren’t able to provide dorm tours due to full capacity during prospective student tours.

3. Pinterest

In the same way former students may have displayed their post-move in videos on YouTube, they may have posted photos or videos in Pinterest.

Search for your college name + dorm, or if you know your dorm building, search college name + dorm name and see what you find!

But don’t buy yet! Finish up this series and be sure to learn what to look for in dorm items, which certifications are important and when the best-rated highest quality items go on sale.

I Have Done The Research, What Comes Next?

Once you have this information, you can start compiling your own dorm list.

Pick a time when you can sit with your student for an hour or so. Use this Dorm Essentials Guide with 22 categories, and go through it with your student. Discuss what is needed and drop that into a document or spreadsheet or onto a piece of paper. Keep a separate list of what is “wanted” not necessarily needed. You’ll only ‘need’ a fraction of what is in this guide, but it is comprehensive in order to try to cover all potential scenarios.

If you have a roommate, you should discuss items that you will only potentially share and only need one of in the room. These items may include: rug, mini-fridge, microwave, coffee maker, curtains, TV, air purifier, dehumidifier or humidifier, over fridge shelves, Brita pitcher, kitchen trash can, vacuum, full-length mirror, etc. You should also discuss whether you want to coordinate bedding, decor or a color scheme. Absolutely not necessary but may be of interest.

Once you have your personal list going, please join us in the Dorm Shopping Recommendations & Deal Alerts Facebook group to learn when those items go on sale, to ask questions and to see many of those items in pictures. You will learn so much about how to avoid the overseas junk and find quality toxin-free dorm items at affordable prices.

If you are not on Facebook, you can also follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter to be alerted to in-process and upcoming sales on dorm items.

Next Steps

To continue through the Dorm IQ series, click NEXT below to read the next topic, or click PREVIOUS to see the Table of Contents.

If you don’t know your dorm assignment yet, bookmark this page so you can come back to this list of questions when you’re really ready to dig for details!