This is the dorm registry I wish I had as a college freshman

NBC Selected independently determines what we cover and recommend. When you click on or buy through our links, we earn a commission. Learn more.LifestyleYes, you can and should make a dorm registry — here’s where to create one and what to put on itThese retailers make it easy to build a dorm registry or wish list, share it with loved ones and, in some cases, pick up your essentials closer to campus.Aug. 20, 2026, 5:35 PM EDTJem AlabiEditorial Operations AssociateSkip to table of contentsCreating a dorm registry can simplify back-to-school shopping and help you spread the cost of expensive items across loved ones who want to help. Kara Birnbaum / NBC; GettyIn this articleWhere can you make a dorm registry?What to put on your college dorm registryRoom Needs/StorageLinens/Laundry SuppliesOffice/Desk/Classroom SuppliesTechToiletriesCleaning ItemsNon-essential nice-to-havesHow to shop for dorm essentialsFrequently asked questionsWhy trust NBC Selected?See 9 MoreWhen I moved into my college dorm as a freshman, I remember wishing there was a simple way to send friends and family a list of everything I still needed — similar to the registries people create for weddings and baby showers. Between bedding, storage, laundry supplies, toiletries and all the little things I didn’t realize I’d need until move-in day, the shopping added up quickly. I wanted a way to make a cohesive list that everyone could shop while avoiding bad communication that resulted in duplicates and deficits. Since then, I’ve led the back-to-school shopping for my family. I handled my own college shopping and helped my brother, who’s now a senior in college, with his move in. Next up is my sister, who’s a senior in high school, and I’m already thinking about what she’ll need when it’s her turn to move into a dorm. This time, though, I’m making a registry. A dorm registry can serve two purposes: It keeps your college shopping organized in one place, and it gives friends and family who want to support you an...