What to Bring to Your Dormitory — A Complete Move-In Checklist
A practical list of what to pack before moving into a dormitory. What's already there, what to buy, what to skip. No unnecessary stuff.
You're moving into a dormitory for the first time. You pack everything you have at home — then realise the room is 18 m². It won't all fit.
In this guide: what you really need, what's usually already there, and what isn't worth packing.
What's usually already in the dormitory
In most private dormitories the room comes furnished:
- Bed with mattress
- Desk + chair
- Wardrobe
- Shelves / shelving unit
- Desk lamp
- Chair / armchair
- Curtains / blinds
- In a studio: a kitchenette with fridge, hob, and dishes
In university halls the standard is usually lower — check with the administration exactly what you'll get.
Essentials to pack
Bedding and duvets:
- Duvet, pillow, fitted sheet (×2 sets)
- Duvet and pillow covers (×2)
- Blanket / throw
Bathroom:
- Towels (×3: face, body, small)
- Basic toiletries
- Hair dryer (if you have one)
- Toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shower gel, shampoo
Kitchen (if you have a kitchenette):
- Small + large pot
- Frying pan
- Deep + flat plate (×2)
- Mug (×2)
- Cutlery: knife, fork, spoon, teaspoon (×2)
- Chopping board
- Electric kettle (if there isn't one)
- Grater, can opener, cooking spoon
Cleaning:
- Mop / cloths
- Floor cleaner, washing-up liquid
- Bin bags
- Toilet paper (a stock of it)
Electronics:
- Laptop + charger
- Smartphone + charger
- Headphones
- Power bank
- Extension lead / power strip (×1–2)
What to buy once you're there
Don't pack everything from home. Some things are easier to buy in the city:
- Fresh groceries (the local shop)
- Cleaning supplies (cheaper at Biedronka/Lidl than at a chemist)
- Light curtains / decorative cushions (if you want to personalise)
- A drying rack (compact, if the washing machine has no drying function)
What to avoid
Unnecessary clothes. Pack two weeks of clothes — leave the rest at home. You'll be going back every month to swap them out.
Large appliances. Don't buy a dishwasher, a big fridge, or a cooker — most dormitories have these built into the infrastructure.
Books. Most materials these days are online or in the university library. Pack only the textbooks you absolutely need.
Decorations. A few posters are fine, but avoid heavy frames or large pictures — these are often not allowed in the contracts (no hanging things on the walls).
Check the property's house rules
Before you pack, read the dormitory's house rules:
- Can you have your own microwave? (usually yes)
- Can you have small appliances (kettle, toaster)? (usually yes)
- Can you have plants? (usually yes, but no giant pots)
- Can you have pets? (usually no)
- Can you smoke? (usually no, not even on the balcony)
Your first weekend in the dormitory
On the first day, buy only the essentials. On the second, top up what's missing. On the third, explore the neighbourhood. Don't try to sort everything out in a single day.
Getting up on the first day surrounded by packing chaos = doesn't take heroics. Getting up in a prepared room with a morning coffee = a good start to the semester.
