Tempe, AZ · Sun Devils · Tempe
Manzanita Hall Dorm Checklist 2026
Arizona State
Double rooms, suite-style bathrooms (College of Liberal Arts & Sciences first-years)
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences first-year hall — 800+ freshmen on the north edge of campus, across from Sun Devil Stadium and a short walk to Mill Avenue. Doubles with suite-style bathrooms, a MicroFridge in every room, Manzy Square all-you-care-to-eat dining downstairs, a fitness center, and two-story lounges with community kitchens.
- Bed SizeTwin XL · 36"×80" (adjustable-height frame)
- Under-BedAdjustable-height frame
- ACYes
- On-Campus~55%
✓ In the room
Bed frame & Twin XL mattressdeskchairdresserclosettrash & recycling binsMicroFridge (microwave + fridge combo)lockable storage cabinet
✗ Not provided
Beddingtowelsshower caddyhangersdesk lamp
⊘ Prohibited
Candlesincensecandle warmersneon signshalogen lampshot platesopen-flame deviceshoverboardsnon-UL-listed applianceswireless routersweaponspets other than fish; extension cords only 16-gauge grounded for temporary use — bring a surge-protected power strip
- Wireless routers are banned in ASU residence halls — they interfere with the campus network. Every room has Wi-Fi plus an Ethernet port; leave the router at home.
Everything for your Manzanita Hall room
The complete Arizona State packing list, tuned to Manzanita Hall — best picks flagged, anything the room already includes pulled out, and every item shoppable. Affiliate links; prices shown on Amazon.
112 items across 14 categories
Bedding
(9)
⭐ Top pickTwin XL fitted sheet × 2Compare picks →Most dorm mattresses are 80" long — standard twin won't fitManzanita Hall beds are Twin XL · 36"×80" (adjustable-height frame) — get Twin XL, not standard twin.
Pillowcases × 4 (2 per pillow)
⭐ Top pickMattress topper (Twin XL)Compare picks →Dorm mattresses are firm and thin — a 2–3" memory foam or gel topper makes a real difference
⭐ Top pickWaterproof mattress pad (Twin XL)Protects the mattress from spills and wear — a cheap layer you'll be glad you packed
Zippered mattress encasement (waterproof, bed-bug proof)Dorm mattresses are used and shared — a zippered encasement fully seals it against spills, dust mites, and bed bugs
Fan — optional
(1)
⭐ Top pickSmall desk fan (optional)Compare picks →AC is available but many students still bring one for air circulation or white noise.Manzanita Hall is air-conditioned, so a fan is comfort, not survival.
Bathroom
(9)
⭐ Top pickShower caddy (hanging mesh or plastic tote)Compare picks →Most freshman halls have communal bathrooms — you carry everything to and from the shower
Toiletry bag for daily-use items
Toothbrush covers (travel cases)Breathable vented covers keep your toothbrush clean on the trip to and from a communal bathroom
Facial tissuesKeep a box at the desk and nightstand — colds and allergies rip through a dorm
Toilet paperSuite / private-bathroom halls only — communal-bath dorms stock it for you (check the “In every room” list above)
Personal Care & Grooming
(10)
Hair dryer (compact)Not provided — you'll want your own for the walk back from a communal bathroom
Hair straightener or curling iron
Hair brush + comb set
Hair claw clips (variety pack)
Gentle face wash (CeraVe)
Razor & blade refills
Nail clipper & grooming kit
Cotton swabs (Q-tips)
Period-supply organizer pouchA discreet zip pouch for pads or tampons — the essential nobody wants to source last-minute at a new campus
⭐ Top pickOver-door / full-length mirrorCompare picks →Dorm rooms rarely have a full-length mirror, and you can't drill the walls — an over-door one hangs with zero damage
Storage & Organization
(8)
⭐ Top pickUnder-bed storage bins or drawersCompare picks →Check your hall's under-bed clearance on the hall checklist page before buyingManzanita Hall beds have Adjustable-height frame clearance — measure before buying.
Adjustable bed risers (set of 4)Stackable to 3, 5, or 8 inches — lift the bed for far more under-bed storage. Check your frame first; many dorm beds already adjust in height
Command picture hanging stripsVelcro-style strips hang posters, photos, and light frames level and hole-free, then peel off cleanly — no move-out damage charge
Tension curtain rods (2-pack)No-drill spring rods (28–43") to add a closet rod, hang a window curtain, or string a divider curtain for privacy in a shared room
Closet Space-Savers
(4)
⭐ Top pickSlim velvet hangers × 30–40Compare picks →Dorm closets are narrow — thin non-slip hangers fit far more than bulky plastic ones
⭐ Top pickCascading hanger connector hooksCompare picks →Chain hangers vertically to turn one closet rod into three or four rows
⭐ Top pickMulti-slot space-saving hangersCompare picks →One hanger holds five items stacked vertically
⭐ Top pickCloset-doubler rod (2-tier)Compare picks →Hangs from the existing rod to add a second hanging level — no tools
Tech & Power
(12)
⭐ Top pickSurge protector power strip (6+ outlets)Compare picks →Most schools require a surge protector — plain extension cords are prohibited
Ethernet cable (10 ft)Wired connections are faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi for video calls and gaming
USB-C hub or docking station
Power bank / portable charger
⭐ Top pickBluetooth speaker (compact)Optional — keep it compact and respect quiet hours, which most halls enforce
Printer (optional — most campuses have free print labs)
Assorted zip ties (variety pack)Assorted sizes and colors for taming the cable mess behind the desk, bundling cords under the bed, and loft/dorm setup
Reusable velcro cable tiesHook-and-loop straps you can undo and re-bundle — the rearrangeable alternative to zip ties for chargers and monitor cords
Adhesive cable clips (cord holders)Stick-on clips anchor phone chargers and cords to the desk edge so cables stop sliding behind the desk
Charging cables (10 ft, 3-pack)Extra-long braided USB-C cables reach from a lofted bed to a far wall outlet — the spare everyone forgets
Multi-port USB wall charger (40W)One 4-port block charges your phone, earbuds, and tablet from a single scarce dorm outlet
Laundry
(7)
Laundry detergent pods (compact for dorm storage)
Dryer sheets
Mesh laundry bag for delicates
Foldable clothes drying rackAir-dry laundry and delicates in a tight room to dodge dryer shrink and per-load costs, then fold it flat against the wall- Laundry app or coinsCheck if your school uses an app (Circuit, LaundryView) or quarters before you go
Fabric stain remover spray
Tide-to-Go or similar
Desk & Study
(6)
⭐ Top pickDesk lamp (LED)Compare picks →Not provided in most halls — check your school's provided list above
⭐ Top pickLaptop stand (adjustable)Ergonomic for long study sessions — pairs with any keyboard
Scissors and tape
Whiteboard or sticky notes for the door- Backpack (bring from home)
Health & Safety
(10)
Basic first aid kit (bandages, antiseptic, medical tape)
Ibuprofen / acetaminophen
Thermometer
Cold and flu medicine
Hand sanitizer
Reusable face masks
Disinfecting wipesWipe down desks, doorknobs, and shared surfaces — cold and flu rip through a dorm floor
Vitamin C / immune supportDorms are germ factories — keep a box for the first sign of dorm crud
24-hour allergy tabletsNon-drowsy antihistamine for new-city pollen and dusty old dorm buildings
Blister patchesHydrocolloid patches for the blisters a big campus gives you in week one
Comfort & Room
(18)
Gym bag / duffel (with shoe pocket)Gym, weekend trips home, and laundromat hauls — a tote won't cut it
Sleep mask + earplugsShared room, roommate's lamp, hallway noise — the cheapest sleep upgrade there is
Portable white-noise machineMasks thin dorm walls and a roommate's off-schedule coming and going so it's easier to fall asleep
Collapsible storage ottomanA 36L cube that swallows a bin of gear, holds 250 lb for guest seating or a footrest, then folds flat when you don't need it
Odor absorber (charcoal bags)Skip plug-in fresheners, candles, and wax warmers — most dorms ban them (fire code). Charcoal bags absorb odor with no flame or outlet.
Handheld garment steamerFaster and far more compact than an iron + board.Before you buy: check your school's appliance rules — some restrict irons/steamers — and pick one with auto-shutoff.
Slippers / house shoesCold, not-always-clean dorm floors — shower shoes are for the bathroom
Lint roller (5-pack)
Mini tool kit / screwdriver setFor assembling a loft, tightening a wobbly bed frame, and move-in boxes
Water filter pitcher (Brita)Dorm tap water, no kitchen filter — a 6-cup fits in a mini-fridge
⭐ Top pickMini fridge (if not provided)Compare picks →Check the “In every room” list above first — many schools include a MicroFridge and ban personal ones. Bring one only if yours doesn't.
Bed rest reading pillowDorm beds have no headboard — a backrest with arms lets you sit up to study or read in bed
Weighted blanket (15 lb, twin)Calmer, deeper sleep in a noisy hall — sized to a dorm bed
Compact HEPA air purifierQuiet desktop unit for dusty old buildings, allergies, and roommate smells
Folding saucer / lounge chairThe extra seat a dorm never has — folds flat when you don't need it
Mini projector (movie nights)Turns a blank wall into a movie night — a floor favorite
Essential-oil diffuserWater-based ultrasonic (no flame) — the dorm-safe way to freshen a roomBefore you buy: some schools restrict diffusers, humidifiers, or scented devices — check your housing rules, and pick one with auto shut-off.
Kitchen & Dining
(4)
Dorm dinnerware set (microwave-safe)Microwave- and dishwasher-safe plates, bowls, and cups so you're not eating ramen out of the pot
Dish drying matAbsorbent mat to air-dry dishes on a tiny counter — doubles for drying a shower caddy or shoes
Bottle & straw brush setCleans the straws and narrow necks of Stanley-style tumblers your other brushes can't reach
Paper towelsFor spills and quick cleanup when there's no kitchen — select-a-size to waste less
Misc Essentials
(10)
Reusable water bottle (large, 32 oz+)
Umbrella (compact)
Rain jacket or packable jacket
Reusable tote bags × 2–3 (grocery runs, gym, dining)
Alarm clock or use your phone
Shower timer (optional, for communal bathroom courtesy)
⭐ Top pickArea rug (3×5 ft)Compare picks →Adds warmth and cuts the echo on bare dorm floors — measure your space first
⭐ Top pickIn your room ✓Step trash can with lidNot provided — a hands-free pedal can with a soft-close lid keeps odors down by the desk (grab a pack of small liners too)Manzanita Hall rooms already include a bin — skip unless you want a second.
Safety box openerCeramic auto-retract blade opens the mountain of move-in boxes without slicing what's inside — safe and dorm-allowed
Move-In Day Gear
(4)
Wheeled rolling moving bagWheels and a pull handle let you drag a fully loaded 600D bag up the stairs instead of hauling the weight — the move-in day lifesaver
XL moving & storage bags (6-pack)Haul a whole carload of bedding and clothes in one trip, then fold them flat to store bulky stuff over breaks
Folding hand truck / dollyRolls a mini-fridge, boxes, and furniture up to your room in far fewer trips, then folds flat to slide under the bed
Folding collapsible wagon cartLoad a full haul and roll it across campus in one pass, then collapse it flat when you're done
Related guides: Dorm move-in checklist · Best dorm shower caddy · Dorm mattress topper guide
Dorm shopping guides: Mini fridge · Surge protector · Storage bins · Mattress topper · Desk lamp · Bedding sets · Twin XL sheets · Shower caddy · Towels · Shower shoes · Laundry hamper · Area rug · Mirror · Over-door organizer · Closet organizers · Fans (no AC) · Loft bed setup
Sources & verification — last checked Jul 26, 2026
Living in Manzanita Hall: what to know before you pack
The room
Manzanita's rooms are doubles with suite-style bathrooms, furnished with adjustable-height Twin XL beds (36"×80"), desks, chairs, and dressers — plus two inclusions that simplify your shopping: a MicroFridge (combined microwave and mini-fridge) and a lockable storage cabinet in every room. Don't buy a fridge or microwave for Manzanita; it's already there. When you shop for bedding, remember ASU's mattress is 36 inches wide — a touch narrower than the standard 38-inch Twin XL — so fitted sheets fit, just a little loose. Your list is the classic soft-goods run: Twin XL bedding, towels, a shower caddy, hangers, and a desk lamp.
Day to day
Manzanita houses more than 800 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences first-years, which makes it one of the most social freshman addresses at ASU. The location is the draw: the north edge of campus directly across from Sun Devil Stadium, and a short walk from downtown Tempe and Mill Avenue's restaurants and shops. You don't have to leave the building for much — Manzy Square, the all-you-care-to-eat dining facility, is downstairs, alongside a fitness center, a computer lab, and meeting spaces with two-story lounges and community kitchens. Suite-style bathrooms keep the shared-bathroom experience to your suite rather than the whole floor.
Move-in day
ASU Tempe move-in is August 15–16, 2026 — your specific date and arrival window post to My ASU, with instructions emailed from early July. Mid-August in Tempe means 110°F-plus afternoons, so treat move-in like a desert operation: earliest window you can get, water in the car, and the quickest possible unload. Set your adjustable bed to the height you want before boxes take over the floor, and coordinate with your roommate so you don't double up on shared items — the MicroFridge is already in the room, so neither of you needs to bring one. Laundry is free in every ASU hall.
Manzanita Hall FAQ
- Does Manzanita Hall include a fridge and microwave?
- Yes — Manzanita rooms include a MicroFridge, the combined microwave and mini-fridge unit, plus a lockable storage cabinet. That's one less appliance decision and one less thing to haul up on a 110-degree move-in day. Anything extra you plug in must follow ASU's rules: UL-listed appliances only, nothing with an open heating element (hot plates are banned), and a surge-protected power strip rather than a plain extension cord, which housing only permits as a temporary, 16-gauge grounded exception.
- Who lives in Manzanita Hall?
- Manzanita is the first-year residential community for ASU's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences — the largest college at the university — housing more than 800 freshmen. ASU organizes freshman housing by academic college, so your neighbors are in your classes: it's designed to turn your floor into your study group. If you're in a different college, you'll be pointed to that college's community instead — Fulton engineers to Tooker House, the business cohort to Hassayampa. CLAS students get one of the best locations on campus in the bargain.
- How close is Manzanita to the stadium and Mill Avenue?
- Manzanita sits on the north edge of the Tempe campus directly across from Sun Devil Stadium — on football Saturdays you're living at the center of gravity — and it's a short walk from downtown Tempe and Mill Avenue, the strip of restaurants, coffee shops, and stores just off campus. That location is a real quality-of-life feature: errands, food runs, and nights out don't require a car or a bus. The trade-off is game-day energy and foot traffic, so pack earplugs if you're a light sleeper.
- Where do Manzanita residents eat?
- Downstairs. Manzanita houses Manzy Square, an all-you-care-to-eat dining facility inside the building, and a meal plan comes with living there. Between Manzy Square, the community kitchens in the two-story lounges, and the MicroFridge in your room, you're covered from full meals to midnight snacks without leaving the building — and Mill Avenue's restaurants are a short walk when you want something different. Pack a few basic kitchen items (a bowl, utensils, a water bottle) rather than a full cookware set.
More Arizona State halls
Each hall has its own verified checklist — pick yours for room-specific dimensions and packing lists.