If you’re getting ready to head off to college in the fall, you’re most likely going to end up living in a dorm. Dorm life can be fun but it is almost certain to be cramped quarters. This fact of dorm living doesn’t have to be a problem, though. Read on to find out how you can save space in your dorm room.
General
Keep these general tips in mind when thinking about your college dorm.
- Go vertical: Use shelving, vertical bookshelves, stacking, and more to make the most of your space.
- Keep things clean: The more picked-up you keep your dorm room, the more space you’ll have.
- Don’t gather so much: Only take what you need and avoid bringing too much.
- Find out what’s included: Consult your university ahead of time to find out if you’ll have shelving, closets, and more.
- Use double-use items: Move with containers that can be used for storage in your dorm.
- Use hooks: Hooks can help you hang coats, bathroom items, and more.
- Talk to your roommate: Find out what your roommate plans to bring so that you don’t double up on furniture and supplies.
Style
Maintain your style, even in a small space.
- Add mirrors: Mirrors can make your tiny space look bigger.
- Buy a rug: Soften up your room with the help of a rug.
- Hang curtains high: Make small windows look bigger by hanging your curtain rod high.
Furniture
These furniture ideas can really help you conserve space in your dorm room.
- Construct a loft bed: With a loft bed, you can add seating, desks, or storage underneath.
- Use a futon: If you don’t already have a bed in your dorm room, consider getting a futon that can do double duty as a couch.
- Stackable chairs: With lightweight, stackable chairs, you can be ready for guests in an instant.
- Build around your bed: Build shelves that can stand around your bed for storage.
- Add hanging lanterns: Get soft light from above without sacrificing space using a hanging lamp.
- Stack it up: If you have a fridge, use your fridge as a table top for another large item.
- Consider a Murphy bed: If your dorm doesn’t already provide beds, think about moving in a Murphy bed for space saving.
- Get a storage ottoman: An ottoman with storage can do double duty for you.
- Get dual purpose items: Use a storage trunk as a decorative table and more.
- Get furniture that folds up: Get a folding table or desk to use for eating or working on with your laptop.
Closet
Use these ideas to make the most of your dorm room closet.
- Use double rack hangers: You can hang several items with the help of double rack hangers.
- Add another rack: Make space for jeans and more by adding another rack to your closet.
- Use the door: Hang shoe bags and other door storage.
- Get a pop-up laundry hamper: Pop-up laundry hampers can be folded away when not in use.
- Get a hanging shelf: Use a hanging shelf for shoes, sweaters, and more.
- Get vacuum bags: Store off-season clothes with vacuum bags.
- Roll it up: To save drawer space, roll up shirts and other items.
- Leave it at home: Keep off-season and unnecessary clothes at home instead of trying to store them.
Workspace
Add space to your dorm’s workspace with these tips.
- Use a file cabinet: Keep papers carefully tucked away in a file cabinet, either as a part of your desk of a freestanding cabinet.
- Hang files on the wall: Use a hanging wall file for efficient paper storage.
- Use corkboards: Instead of cluttering your desk with photo frames, put photos on your memo board.
- Put a shelf over your desk: Store textbooks and more with a shelf over your desk.
Bathroom
Find more room in your bathroom.
- Use wall storage: Add shelves and racks to your dorm’s bathroom walls for more storage.
- Use under the sink storage: Even if you don’t have cabinets, you can store bins under the sink.
- Get a shower head storage unit: Find extra space in the shower with the help of a shower storage solution for your toiletries.
- Suction cup holders: Put storage on your shower wall or mirror using suction-cup storage holders.
Technology
Make smart space saving decisions with your technology.
- Avoid CDs and DVDs: Make use of smaller, more efficient storage like flash drives or your iPod.
- Store DVDs and CDs in carriers: If you must use DVDs and CDs, leave cases at home and make your collection a little slimmer.
- Get a flatscreen TV: A flatscreen TV can save space over a big bulky one.
- Use a cell phone: Instead of a landline, just use a cell phone.
- Go wireless: Avoid cords with the help of a wireless mouse and keyboard.
- Invest in a laptop: Instead of using a computer tower, use a smaller, more portable laptop.
Storage
Here are some great tricks for dealing with dorm room storage.
- Think vertical: Tall, vertical shelving can help you store more with less room.
- Milk crates: Milk crates can hold items neatly while still allowing you to see the contents.
- Use your suitcase: Don’t let your suitcase sit large and empty; fill it with off-season clothes.
- Get plastic drawer sets: Make use of plastic drawer sets to keep clothes, snacks, and more handy and organized.
- Add tables or shelves to the end of your bed: Put a fold up table or a shelf set to the foot of your bed for storage and more.
- Use bed stilts: Raise your bed for even more under the bed storage.
- Use small storage baskets: Large plastic tubs may be too big and cumbersome-smaller solutions can help.
- Use under the bed storage: Take advantage of what would be wasted space by storing items under your bed.
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