IU Dorm Rules and Gear

All gear here fits IU's housing appliance limits.

IU dorm appliance rules

Indiana University Bloomington residence halls. Apartment-style buildings (e.g., 3rd and Union, Campus View, Tulip Tree, University East, Willkie) may have some cooking appliances.

Mini fridge Limits: Must pull less than 6 A and be 3.3 cu ft or less. All appliances must be UL listed and rated 700 W (6 A) or less.
Microwave Limits: Optional item; all appliances must be rated 700 W (6 A) or less and UL listed.
Power strips / surge protectors Limits: On the necessary list as "surge strips and protectors with LCDI technology."

Kitchen

Mini fridge Limits: Must pull less than 6 A and be 3.3 cu ft or less. All appliances must be UL listed and rated 700 W (6 A) or less. Mini refrigerator/microwave pulls less than six amps, 3.3 cubic feet or less
Microwave Limits: Optional item; all appliances must be rated 700 W (6 A) or less and UL listed. Rated at 700 watts (6 amps) or less
Coffee maker Limits: Optional item (e.g., Hamilton Beach, Keurig, Mr. Coffee), within the 700 W appliance limit.
Keurig / single-serve Not published: Not published.
Electric kettle Not published: Not published.
Air fryer Not allowed: Prohibited.
Toaster / toaster oven Not allowed: Toaster ovens are prohibited; toasters only in some apartment-style buildings.
Rice cooker Not allowed: Only in some apartment-style buildings.
Instant Pot / pressure cooker Not allowed: Crockpots are prohibited.
Hot plate Not allowed: Prohibited.
Blender Not published: Not published.
Indoor grill / griddle Not allowed: Grills of any type are prohibited.

Personal care

Hair dryer Allowed: On the necessary items list.
Straightener / curling iron Not published: Not published.
Clothes iron Not published: Not published.
Clothes steamer Not published: Not published.

Climate

Space heater Not allowed: Open-coil heaters are prohibited.
Fan Not published: Not published.
Air purifier Not published: Not published.
Humidifier Not published: Not published.
Window / portable AC Not allowed: Unless approved by IU Housing for medical needs.

Power & lighting

Extension cords Limits: Heavy-duty, 12–14 gauge, UL approved only.
Power strips / surge protectors Limits: On the necessary list as "surge strips and protectors with LCDI technology."
Halogen lamps Not allowed: Prohibited.
Desk lamp Allowed: A flexible lamp is on the optional list.
String / LED lights Allowed: Holiday lights are on the optional list.
Candles / incense Not allowed: Incense and burners are prohibited.
Wax warmers Not published: Not published.

Room

Lofts Limits: Depends on hall and room type; request through Bedloft.
Bed risers Not allowed: Prohibited.
Adhesive hooks / strips Allowed: Command hooks or painter's tape are on the necessary list.
Over-the-door hooks Not published: Not published.

Official sources (2)

Policies change. Always confirm current rules with IU Housing. Rules verified Oct 9, 2026.

Mini fridges

IU allows mini fridges of 3.3 cu ft or less that pull under 6 A.

Top Pick ✓ Fits 3.3 cu ft limit

Midea 1.6 cu ft Compact Refrigerator (WHS-65LB1)

Best for: Fitting under a lofted bed or desk

Capacity1.6 cu ft

NoiseUnder 42 dB

Size19.4" tall

Buy on Amazon

Best Value ✓ Fits 3.3 cu ft limit

BLACK+DECKER 1.7 cu ft Compact Refrigerator (BCRK17W)

Best for: Low-amp pick for strict power limits

Capacity1.7 cu ft

FreezerBuilt-in

Size19.7" tall

Buy on Amazon

✓ Fits 3.3 cu ft limit

BLACK+DECKER 3.2 cu ft Compact Refrigerator (BCRK32B)

Best for: A bigger freezer section

Capacity3.2 cu ft

Freezer0.9 cu ft

Size32.7" tall

Buy on Amazon

✓ Fits 3.3 cu ft limit

BLACK+DECKER 2.5 cu ft Compact Refrigerator (BCRK25W)

Best for: Small rooms with a per-person size cap

Capacity2.5 cu ft

FreezerBuilt-in

Size26.6" tall

Buy on Amazon

Microwaves

IU requires appliances rated 700 W (6 A) or less and UL listed.

Top Pick ✓ Fits 700 W limit

COMFEE' 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave (EM720CPL-PMB)

Best for: Everyday reheating

Power700 W

Capacity0.7 cu ft

Width17.3"

Buy on Amazon

Best Value ✓ Fits 700 W limit

Chefman 0.7 cu ft Compact Microwave

Best for: Tight budgets

Power700 W

Capacity0.7 cu ft

Width17.5"

Buy on Amazon

✓ Fits 700 W limit

Commercial Chef 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave (CHM770B)

Best for: Simple one-touch controls

Power700 W

Capacity0.7 cu ft

Width17.6"

Buy on Amazon

✓ Fits 700 W limit

Farberware 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave

Best for: Multi-stage cooking

Power700 W

Capacity0.7 cu ft

Width17.3"

Buy on Amazon

✓ Fits 700 W limit

Toshiba 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave (MM-EM07PA)

Best for: A trusted brand name

Power700 W

Capacity0.7 cu ft

Width17.1"

Buy on Amazon

✓ Fits 700 W limit

Commercial Chef 0.6 cu ft Countertop Microwave (CHM660B)

Best for: The smallest footprint

Power700 W

Capacity0.6 cu ft

Width17.8"

Buy on Amazon

Coffee makers

IU lists coffee makers as optional; appliances must be rated 700 W or less.

Top Pick ✓ Under 700 W

Elite Gourmet 4-Cup Drip Coffee Maker (EHC4128)

Best for: Tight budgets

Capacity4 cups

Power650 W

TypeDrip

Buy on Amazon

Best Value ✓ Under 700 W

Elite Gourmet 5-Cup Drip Coffee Maker (EHC-5055)

Best for: Budget brewer under 700 W

Capacity5 cups

Power600 W

TypeDrip

Buy on Amazon

✓ Under 700 W

Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Mini Brew Switch Coffee Maker

Best for: Low-watt brewer for strict power caps

Capacity5 cups

Power650 W

TypeDrip

Buy on Amazon

Don't forget

Move-in basics that fit IU housing rules.

Bed

Twin XL sheets

Amazon Basics Microfiber Twin XL Sheet Set

Check your bed size
Buy on Amazon
Mattress topper

Bedsure Twin XL Mattress Pad

Twin XL size
Buy on Amazon
Mattress protector

Utopia Bedding Waterproof Twin XL Mattress Protector

Waterproof, Twin XL
Buy on Amazon
Bed shelf

BedShelfie Bedside Shelf with Cable Catch

Clips to the bed frame
Buy on Amazon

Bath & laundry

Shower caddy

Attmu Mesh Shower Caddy, 9 Pockets

Mesh, quick-drying
Buy on Amazon
Shower shoes

Xomiboe Quick-Dry Shower Shoes
Buy on Amazon
Towels

Amazon Basics 6-Piece Cotton Towel Set
Buy on Amazon
Laundry hamper

Handy Laundry Pop-Up Mesh Hamper

Pops up, folds flat
Buy on Amazon

Room & desk

Desk lamp

Lampat Dimmable LED Desk Lamp

LED; halogen prohibited
Buy on Amazon
Under-bed storage

Amazon Basics Under-Bed Storage Bags

Slides under the bed
Buy on Amazon
Over-door hooks

FYY Over-the-Door Hooks, 4-Pack

No nails or tacks
Buy on Amazon
Door mirror

SCWF-GZ Full-Length Over-the-Door Mirror

Hangs over the door
Buy on Amazon

Small stuff

Command strips

Command Large Picture Hanging Strips

Command hooks or painter's tape
Buy on Amazon
First-aid kit

BAND-AID Travel Ready First Aid Kit, 80 Pieces
Buy on Amazon
Laptop lock

Kensington Combination Laptop Cable Lock

Needs a lock slot
Buy on Amazon

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