Moving to campus is an exciting step, and packing doesn’t have to be stressful. This guide is designed to help you decide what to bring, what to leave at home, and what isn’t permitted in Duke residence halls. When in doubt, pack light—you can always add items once you settle in.
Before shopping, we strongly encourage you to review:
- What to Expect in Residence Halls (includes furniture, amenities, and A/C information)
- Housing Amenities & Services (beds, mattresses, internet, laundry, and more)
Essentials for Your Room
Residence hall rooms are furnished and ready for you when you arrive. Use this list as a starting point.
- Bedding and pillows
(Check bed and mattress sizes on the Housing website once assignments are released to purchase the correct size.) - Blanket or throw for extra comfort
- Mattress pad (optional)
- Photos, posters, and décor to personalize your space
(Please use blue painter’s tape or Command™ strips—no nails or adhesive tapes.) - Reusable water bottle
- Laundry basket or bag
- Laundry detergent
- Toiletries (e.g., shampoo, soap, toothbrush)
- Towels and washcloths
- Shower shoes
- Personal care or hygiene items as needed
- Laptop and chargers
- School supplies (notebooks, pens, calculator if needed)
- Any course-specific materials shared by your instructors
Approved Appliances and Electronics
To support safety in residence halls, only certain appliances are allowed.
- UL‑approved power strips
(Please avoid extension cords.) - Coffee makers without an open heating element
More information can be found on the Housing website.
Students are encouraged to rent a micro‑fridge through Duke’s partner vendor.
- Rentals are available via Blue Devil Deliveries / Collegiate Concepts, Inc.
- Orders placed by August 1 are guaranteed delivery to your room before main move‑in
- All units are brand new
More information is available through the Duke Stores website.
Items to Leave at Home
Some items are unnecessary in the residence halls.
- Large furniture (e.g., sofas, futons, bookshelves, extra beds, mattresses)
- Bed risers are permitted; bed lofts are not allowed
- Housing will assist with raising/lowering beds via a Maintenance Request
- Personal printers
(Each residential community has access to a shared networked printer.) - Personal items of high monetary or sentimental value
- Pets
- With the exception of Service or Emotional Support Animals approved through the Student Disability Access Office (SDAO)
- Fish tanks larger than 25 gallons
Prohibited Items (For Safety and Community Standards)
The following items are not permitted in student rooms, suites, or apartments due to safety, damage, or policy concerns:
- Appliances with open heating elements
(e.g., hot plates, toasters, air fryers, portable grills) - Candles, incense, or open flames
- Halogen lamps, lava lamps, “spider lamps”
- Hoverboards or self‑balancing scooters
- Personal space heaters or air conditioning units
(All rooms have central air or window A/C.) - Flammable materials (e.g., lighter fluid, charcoal, propane tanks, paints)
- Nails, thumbtacks, hammers
- Abrasive or permanent adhesives (duct tape, double‑sided tape)
- All string lights and adhesive-backed strip lights
Firearms or weapons of any kind
(including BB guns, airsoft guns, pellet guns, explosives, large knives, swords, bows and arrows)
- Alcohol, cannabis, or illegal drugs (and related paraphernalia)
- Duke is a smoke‑free campus
- Cigarettes and tobacco vapes may not be used inside residence halls or anywhere on campus
Still Have Questions?
Housing spaces and needs vary by building. If you’re unsure whether to bring something:
- Review What to Expect in Residence Halls for details on furnishings and amenities
- Explore Housing Amenities & Services for bed dimensions, laundry, and technology
- Contact Housing & Residence Life with questions before move‑in