How To Organize Your College Dorm Room
The truth is, most dorm rooms are small. And you are probably sharing whatever space you do have with at least one roommate. But there are plenty of tricks to increasing dorm storage and making the most of your space.
How-To Guide
Getting Started
This is it. College. Freedom. The whole nine yards. Get the semester started off right by getting your college dorm room or apartment organized to make the most of your space with plenty of room for your favorite things.
Step 1: The Closet
There's no way all your clothes are going to fit in your college closet. So DON'T try to bring everything. Focus on what you'll need for the first part of the school year and plan to switch out clothes when you go home on break. Make the most of the space you have by adding a closet rod doubler to instantly double your hanging space. Stacking drawers and hanging organizers are also great ways to use every inch of your closet. Use them for shoes, tops, workout gear, sweaters and accessories.
Under $125 for this entire closet solution.
Step 2: Underbed
Almost anything from extra shoes to bulky sweaters and even snacks or cleaning supplies can be stored under the bed. Consider lifting your bed up on bed risers to give yourself even more precious space. Look for low-profile under bed bins, boxes, drawers and bags that slide easily - or even have wheels - to make it easy to access what you have stored.
Under $105 for this under the bed solution.
Step 3: Counters & Doors
Stacking modular makeup organizers and drawers are a must. Simply stack them up on any available counter or surface area to create what you need to organize your collection.
Over the door organizers come in all shapes and sizes. You'll find ones to organize everything from shoes and towels to coats and accessories. Adhesive hooks are also a good idea for hanging a jacket or robe. A hook near the door to your room is a great way to keep keys from disappearing.
Under $85 for this jewelry & makeup solution.
Step 4: Shower & Laundry
While you may not have a full bath in your room, you will probably have a sink area. And no matter what your setup is like, you'll need a way to organize all your shower stuff and hair styling tools and accessories. A bath caddy is a great way to corral your shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and razor. Finally, you'll need a good sized hamper or laundry bag.
Step 5: Snack Area
No dorm room is complete without a snack area. An Elfa Fridge Cart is an ideal place to start. You can place a mini fridge or microwave (if allowed) on top and store snacks, utensils and a few bowls in the drawers beneath. Don't forget a few airtight canisters for keeping dry cereal, chips and other goodies fresh.
Under $300 for this snack station.
Step 6: Study Area & Cord Control
No matter what you're study style is, an organized study area is key to successful retention. If you study in bed, consider a bed caddy with pockets to hold an iPad, tablet, notebook and glasses. If studying at a desk is more your style, you'll want to make sure to think about cord control. A desktop organizer with built-in cord management openings not only controls clutter, it doubles as a charging station. And simple cable drops on your nightstand and desks are a must for keeping cords in place. Finally, you may want to bring a multi-port charger and power strip to keep your devices charged.
Under $200 for this desk solution.
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