The dorm move-in guide
will it fit?
Measure first · Shop once
Check your email for the full guide.
Here's what you need standing in the aisle.
Here's what you need standing in the aisle.
Do this first
Text your student
Nothing else on this page works without these three numbers.
"Send me the height from the floor to the bottom of your bed frame, the width of your closet, and how high the rod sits."
Under the bed
Know your bracket
Every dorm bed is a twin XL. The clearance underneath decides half your cart.
11 to 14 in
Factory height. Bins 6 inches and under.
13 / 18 / 23 in
Notch settings. 10 in bins, shoe drawers.
30 to 36 in
Raised to max. A 3 drawer cart or mini fridge.
56 to 60 in
Full loft. The desk goes under the bed.
No answer yet? Buy two bins under 6 inches tall. They slide under every bed in the country.
Tonight's cart
Buy now
Works in any room, sight unseen. Tap to check off.
Leave it for now
Come back in September
Wait until they've lived in the room a week.
- The rest of the storage
- A rug
- Full length mirror
- Drying rack, second lamp, printer
- Decor beyond a few photos
Confiscated at the door
Don't buy at all
- Extension cords and multi plug adapters
- Halogen, torchiere, and lava lamps
- Toasters, air fryers, hot plates
- Tapestries and fabric wall hangings
- Space heaters and window AC units
- A mini fridge, before you check the size cap
Look these up before you spend a dollar
- 01 The refrigerator size cap
- 02 The microwave rule
- 03 The wall hanging policy
No nails allowed
What your hooks can hold
Most schools ban anything screwed into a wall. Match the hook rating to the weight.
1 lb
A bag of coffee
3 lbs
A bag of apples
5 lbs
A bag of potatoes
8 lbs
A gallon of milk
Press the hook, then wait an hour before hanging anything on it.
Ranges compiled from published university housing pages, August 2026. Rules vary by school. Confirm before you buy.