This post is all about College Apartment Hacks
When I moved into my first college apartment, I thought I needed everything. I bought things that looked good, felt “necessary,” and made me feel prepared… but most of it ended up being a complete waste.
I wasted money, filled up my space with stuff I didn’t use, and honestly made my apartment feel cluttered and cheap.
That’s exactly why I made this list of 11 things I regret buying for my college apartment—so you don’t make the same mistakes. I’ll also show you what to buy instead so you can save money, space, and make your place actually feel good to live in.
Every college apartment is a little different—some are bigger, some have full kitchens—but I’m going to assume you’re working with a smaller space, because that’s where these mistakes matter the most.
Let’s get into it.
Table of Contents
11 Things I Regret Buying for My College Apartment
1. Kitchen Sets
If your college apartment comes with a full kitchen, this might not apply to you. But if you’re mostly working with just a room and sharing a kitchen, listen closely—because this is where a lot of people waste money.
You do not need a full kitchen set. I’m talking 10 plates, multiple bowls, and a bunch of utensils you’ll barely touch. It sounds smart at first… but in reality, it just takes up space and ends up sitting unused.
What you actually need is simple:
- A few microwave-safe plate bowls (these are a game changer)
- Maybe a microwave or air fryer (if allowed)
- A mini fridge for your room
That’s it.
Most college students don’t cook nearly as much as they think they will, especially in shared spaces. So showing up with a full kitchen setup is just going to waste money and clutter your space.
2. Decorative Pillows (More Than 2–3)
I know—you saw that perfect dorm or college apartment on Pinterest and wanted yours to look just as aesthetic. But here’s the truth: aesthetic doesn’t always mean practical.
One of the biggest mistakes I made was buying way too many decorative pillows. It looks good at first… but in reality, they just get in the way and take up valuable space.
Most of the time, they end up on the floor or thrown to the side just so you can actually use your bed.
You really only need one or two pillows for comfort. If you want to upgrade your sleep, a good-quality pillow or even a body pillow is a much better investment than stacking your bed with decorative ones.
3. Books You “Plan” to Read
We all have a list of books we plan to read someday… but that time almost never comes—especially during college.
I made the mistake of bringing a bunch of books thinking I’d stay consistent with reading, but they just ended up taking up space and collecting dust.
Unless you already have a real reading habit, don’t bring a stack of books “just in case.” Be honest with yourself—you probably won’t touch most of them.
A better option is to go digital. A Kindle or audiobooks let you keep all your books without taking up any space, and it’s way easier to stay consistent when everything is on your phone or one device.
If you actually do want to get into reading (and not just think about it), I’ve put together a list of books I highly recommend—especially if you want something that’s actually worth your time.
4. Random “Just in Case” Items
I get it—it feels smart to pack “just in case” tools, but most of them end up sitting in a drawer taking up space for months.
If something only has one very specific use, you probably don’t need it in your college apartment.
Instead, stick to a few practical essentials. A small first aid kit and a multi-tool (like a Swiss Army knife) are way more useful because they cover multiple situations without taking up much space.
Keep it simple—if you ever actually need something specific, you can always buy or borrow one later.
5. Full Cleaning Kit
When I first moved into my college apartment, I went all in on cleaning supplies. I’m talking rags, brushes, bleach—basically everything you could think of. I wanted my space to stay clean, so I thought more products = better.
I learned pretty quickly that it was overkill.
In reality, you only need a few basics: paper towels, tissues, and a good all-purpose cleaner. That’s enough to handle almost everything in a small space.
Having too many products just takes up space—and if you’re not careful, it can actually be dangerous. Some cleaning products should never be mixed, so keeping it simple is not only easier, it’s safer.
Stick to the essentials and you’ll save money, space, and avoid unnecessary risks.
6. Printer
Everyone thinks they need a printer for their college apartment—you don’t.
I bought one thinking I’d use it all the time, and it ended up just sitting there taking up space.
The truth is, you can print anything you need at school, at a local store, or even ask a poor soul who did waste money on one (ME).
On top of that, ink is ridiculously expensive, and for how little you actually print, it’s just not worth it.
Save your money and your space—skip the printer.
7. Too Many Storage Bins (at the start)
Don’t overbuy organizers before you even move in.
It might feel like a smart investment, but in reality, more storage just encourages you to fill it with things you don’t actually need.
I made this mistake and ended up with a bunch of empty organizers that slowly turned into clutter.
A better approach is to scale as you go—move in first, see what actually needs organizing, and then buy storage based on real problems.
If you want a simple starting point, stick to a couple of practical items like a storage mirror for makeup or a door shoe organizer. That’s more than enough to begin with.
I actually put together a full checklist of smart storage hacks you can use to save space and stay organized—without overbuying unnecessary stuff.
8. Huge Mirrors
This is another item that sounds useful—but ends up being a complete waste of space. You don’t need it.
Instead, go for something that serves multiple purposes. I linked a door mirror that also doubles as storage, so you can keep things like jewelry, makeup, and other essentials organized without taking up extra space.
It’s a much smarter use of space, especially in a small college apartment.
9. Cheap Furniture (Amazon/Target impulse buys)
Just because something is cheap doesn’t mean it’s a good deal—there’s usually a reason for the low price.
I made the mistake of buying cheaper furniture thinking I was saving money, but it ended up breaking, feeling unstable, or needing to be replaced way sooner than expected.
In the end, I spent more time and money fixing the problem than if I had just bought something decent from the start.
When it comes to your college apartment, it’s better to choose simple, well-reviewed pieces that will actually last—rather than going for the cheapest option available.
10. Whiteboards / Corkboards
It sounds super productive to have a whiteboard or corkboard… but in reality, most people stop using it after a few days.
I thought I’d use mine all the time for planning and staying organized, but it ended up just sitting there taking up space.
For most people, your phone is a much better option. Apps are easier, always with you, and actually get used consistently.
Whiteboards can make sense in specific situations—like if you’re in a demanding major and need to visualize things often—but for the average student, they’re not necessary.
11. Multiple Mugs / Cups
You’re not running a coffee shop—you don’t need 10 different mugs for every mood.
I get it, they’re cute and easy to collect… but they take up way more space than you think.
Stick to one or two mugs. It makes cleaning easier, keeps your space organized, and stops you from wasting money on things like extra storage racks you don’t actually need.
Keep it simple—you’ll end up using the same mug every time anyway.
College Apartment Mistakes to Avoid
Buying Everything Before Moving In
Before I moved into my college apartment, I thought I was being smart by buying everything ahead of time. I didn’t want to be unprepared, so I showed up with bags full of stuff I thought I would need.
The problem? I had no idea what my space actually looked like yet.
When I finally moved in, a lot of the things I bought didn’t fit, didn’t make sense for the layout, or just weren’t needed at all. I ended up with extra clutter and wasted money on things I could have easily waited on.
This is one of the most common mistakes people make—buying for a space they haven’t even lived in yet.
- A much better approach is to start with the basics, move in, and then buy things as you notice what’s actually missing.
It saves you money, keeps your space clean, and makes sure everything you bring in actually has a purpose.
Not Considering Space Before Buying
One thing I didn’t think about enough was how little space I actually had.
I bought items that seemed useful on their own, but once everything was in my room, it started to feel crowded fast. Things didn’t have a clear place, and my space ended up looking cluttered instead of clean.
The reality is, most college apartments—especially smaller ones—don’t have room for extra or unnecessary items.
If you don’t think about where something is going before you buy it, you’ll quickly run out of space and start feeling overwhelmed in your own room.
-A simple rule that helped me: if you don’t already know exactly where something will go, don’t buy it yet.
It keeps your space functional, organized, and way less stressful to live in.
Overestimating How Much You’ll Use Things
Before moving into my college apartment, I had this idea of who I was going to be.
I thought I’d cook all the time, stay super organized, read more, and basically have everything together.
So I bought things based on that version of me… not who I actually was day-to-day.
And yeah—you can probably guess how that went.
Most of those items barely got used. They just sat there taking up space, reminding me of habits I never actually stuck to.
This is one of the biggest reasons people waste money when moving in—they buy for their ideal self, not their real habits.
-A better approach is to be honest with yourself. Buy based on what you already do consistently, not what you hope you’ll start doing.
You can always upgrade later—but you can’t get your money or space back once it’s gone.
Buying for Aesthetic Instead of Function
I won’t lie—I wanted my college apartment to look good.
I saw all those perfectly styled rooms online and thought I needed the same kind of setup. So I bought things based on how they looked… not how they actually functioned.
And at first, it worked. It looked nice.
But after a few days of actually living in the space, I realized a lot of those items were more annoying than helpful. They took up space, didn’t serve a real purpose, and made everyday things less convenient.
That’s when it clicked—just because something looks good doesn’t mean it’s useful.
-A better approach is to focus on function first. Choose items you’ll actually use every day, and then build your aesthetic around that.
Your space will still look good—but it’ll also feel better to live in.
This Post Was On 11 Things I Regret Buying For My College Apartment