This is a guest post by Valerie Cox. Valerie is a contributing writer for Allied Van Lines. In her spare time, she enjoys organizing, spending time with her family, and volunteering in her local community.
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Living in a dorm room is a rite of passage, but living in an organized dorm room is what will make you a better student and a more productive person. If your dorm stays organized, you will be able to find things easier and make better use of the space. From having dual function pieces to taking advantage of vertical storage, having an organized dorm room is quite doable, and if you invest the time at the beginning of the year, you will be able to reap the benefits all year long.
1. Use under the bed storage solutions.
The space under your bed provides a lot of opportunity for storage. Bulky items like luggage and storage crates can be stored here, and you can even use a rolling cart for items you need every so often like laundry detergent or an iron. Here is one option to help keep items contained. To hide your under the bed storage, you can hang a flat sheet to act as a bed skirt.
2. Only bring items you love or will use.
When packing for college, you should only include the items that you really love or know you will use. Dorm rooms are notorious for being smaller than you imagined, and there certainly isn’t enough space to bring everything you want. It’s better to start out with fewer items than you would like and add to the space as the year progresses. You should also remember that you’ll be living with a roommate and a dorm full of other college students so you can borrow a multitude of items from your “neighbors.”
3. Take 10 minutes every day to organize.
To stay organized in a small space, making organization a priority every day is key. You should take 10 minutes at the end of each day to empty out your backpack, put up laundry, or whatever needs to be done. By making it a priority each day, your dorm room will stay organized, which will allow you to have better use of the space.
4. Hang adhesive hooks to store items.
Adhesive hooks can be used on a number of different items including towels, keys, and décor items. You could even hang a basket to help you store items like beauty supplies or school supplies. Or try this over-the-door hook for another option to store your backpack or jackets. Throughout the year, you can use them to help you save desk and shelving space by allowing you to hang items on the wall, and at the end of the year, taking them down will be seamless.
5. Maximize your closet space.
To use your closet space efficiently, you need to bring in closet organizational tools to help you maximize your space. Adding a closet rod extender or hanging shelves will help you make the most of your closet space. Since closet space is so limited in dorm rooms, it’s best to only hang seasonal clothes and then change out clothing at breaks.
6. Go vertical.
In dorm rooms, space is at a premium so vertical storage is a must. From stacking storage cubes to a desk hutch, going vertical for storage will provide valuable storage opportunities while saving space and reducing clutter. If your dorm room has doors, you can even use hanging storage options to save space.
7. Have a small basket or container for all cords.
All cords (ex. chargers, headphones, etc.) should all be kept in a small basket so they can be easily accessed when you need to find one. A cord organizer helps keep them contained and untangled. Instead of having to hunt for your laptop charger when you’re late for a study session, you can simply look in your basket and easily find it.
8. Use items that have dual purposes.
Items with dual purpose are ideal in dorm rooms because space has to be maximized. For example, storage ottomans provide both storage and seating, and both are always needed in a dorm room. You can use your ottoman to store items such as sweaters, and you can even use it as a coffee table if you already have enough seating in your dorm room. This rolling cart has drawers for storage but can also be used as an end table or bedside table.
9. Create a dedicated spot for everything.
Living in a small space like a dorm room means everything needs to have its own space. When this is the case, you will be able to easily put things back and be able to find items with easy access. From kitchen items to laundry supplies, everything needs to have a dedicated space, and you need to be willing to put it back after you’re done using it.
Having an organized dorm room is important for any college student because it sets the stage for the rest of your college experience. Your academic career will be more successful if you are organized and can easily find items like study guides and highlighters. You will be able to enjoy inviting friends over to your dorm room if you have storage solutions for your daily needs like laundry and food. Organizing your dorm room might take some work at first, but at the end of the year, you will be glad you took the time to maximize your storage space and seek out creative solutions.
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