Dorm Room Organization – Great Hacks for Organizing a College Dorm Room
Looking for easy ideas about dorm room organization? We’ve got you covered with these clever tips on organizing your college dorm room.
Unless you’re spending time in prison, your dorm room will probably be the smallest space you will ever live in. You’ll need to think creatively on how you’re going to keep – and find – everything you need in such a tiny space without having your room be a complete disaster.
Here are some of our most clever dorm room organization ideas:
Top 19 Dorm Room Organization Tips
Dorm Refrigerator Storage Solutions
You’ll want to think vertically when it comes to your dorm room refrigerator. Add shelves above or below your fridge to store your microwave, Keurig and snack items.
Over The Fridge Shelving
A small refrigerator is a must-have for any dorm room. Take advantage of the space over the fridge with this handy shelving unit from Amazon.
Easy-to-assemble shelving unit has 2 adjustable shelves (you will need a hammer to assemble it). Put your microwave on one, and a coffee maker and supplies on the other for a mini-kitchen right in your dorm room.
Tip: Use a cutting board or a tray to prevent small items from falling through the wire shelves.
Refrigerator Storage Cart
This sturdy elfa fridge cart from The Container Store is another great space-saver for your dorm room. Three drawer cart can hold up to 125 pounds – enough for a fridge, microwave and supplies.
It’s a bit more expensive, but can serve as a printer station or fill other organization needs once you’ve moved out of the dorm.
Over the Fridge Storage Caddy
In a small dorm room, you’ll need to take advantage of every storage space. This over the fridge storage caddy from Amazon is a clever way to store plates and utensils…and take advantage of empty space!
Dorm UnderBed Storage Ideas
Be sure to store as much as you can underneath the bed. This bed is lofted about 3 feet off the ground, so there’s plenty of space for rolling storage carts. Get more details at Organize Your Stuff Now.
Here’s a great example of mixing and matching different sizes of stacking drawers to create a fabulous storage space under your dorm bed!
In the examples above, they mixed and matched Sterilite stacking drawers in 3 sizes:
You can also pack these drawers before you go, which will make moving in that much easier!
I love using these highly-rated modular storage drawers from The Container Store for under bed storage in a dorm room. They come in so many sizes – just mix and match to fit your needs.
Tip: Consider getting an extra long bedskirt to hide the under-bed storage and to add a touch of style to your room. Check out these at Amazon.
If you’re not lofting your bed, you can still take advantage of under-bed storage by using smaller storage bags. These affordable bags from Amazon are perfect for storing blankets, extra linens, clothes or shoes.
Add a Bedside Caddy
No room for a nightstand? Use a bedside caddy that hangs from the bed rails to keep important items such as your laptop, phone, notebooks and kleenex close at hand.
Be sure to look for a caddy that features sturdy velcro straps, such as the one pictured above from Amazon. You definitely don’t want it to fall down in the middle of the night…especially if you have a lofted bed!
Dorm Storage Ottoman
An ottoman with storage (like the one pictured above from Target) is an inexpensive way to add extra places to store blankets, shoes, and other odds and ends. It can also double as a footrest or seating area.
Be sure to look for an ottoman that can hold 200 pounds or so. Bonus points for folding ottomans because they’re so much easier to take to school. Here are some of my top picks from Amazon:
Dorm Bathroom Organizing Ideas
Shower Curtain with Pockets
Do you have a suite-style bathroom, where you share a bathroom with another room? Then you really need this to cut down on the clutter in the shower!
Shower curtain features 9 quick-dry mesh pockets…which gives you and all your roommates plenty of room to store shampoo, conditioners and other toiletries. You can use it as a stand-alone shower curtain, or use it as a liner with a decorative shower curtain. Get it at Amazon.
Dorm Room Closet Organization
If you thought your dorm room was tiny, wait until you try to fit all your clothes/laundry/shoes and other essentials into one small closet! Check out these great ways to organize your dorm closet.
Scarf and Belt Organizer
Keep your scarf and belts organized and tidy by using shower rings attached to a hanger.
You can even wrap the hanger with adhesive gauze to keep the hooks from sliding around it that bothers you. Kudos to From the Desk for this simple DIY dorm room organization idea!
Closet Door Organization
The door of the closet is often overlooked, but it can be a great place to store essentials. This dorm closet door organizing idea from BHG features a small pegboard, command hooks, wall file organizers and a small bucket.
This convenient over the door canvas storage system from Pottery Barn Teen has loads of pockets and two shelves…perfect for keeping your most-used items close at hand.
Double Your Hanging Space
Add a hanging rod so that you have two rods to hang your clothes from. Look for an adjustable rod, like the one pictured above from Amazon so that you can vary the length to fit your dorm closet.
Use Convenient Multi-Hangers
Why just hang one item on each hanger? You can find inexpensive multi-hangers, such as the one pictured above, at Amazon.
Tip: Use ultra-thin velvet hangers like these from Amazon to save even more space. Yes, they really are worth the extra money!
Multi-hangers are also great ways to organize purses. Be sure to look for sturdy hangers if you have heavy items such as coats that you’d like to organize.
Create Double Hangers with Soda Can Tabs
Here’s an easy DIY organizing tip that will double your closet hanging space! Use soda can tabs to create your own double hangers.
Hang Your Laundry Bag
Forget the laundry hamper…it takes up valuable space from your closet floor. Instead, hang a laundry bag on the inside of the closet door using command hooks. Check out this great tutorial on how to make your own laundry bag in minutes!
Dorm Desk Organization Ideas
Having an organized desk doesn’t guarantee you great grades, but it will certainly help! And you’ll feel better studying if you have a cute and tidy desk. Check out these clever desk organization ideas:
Folding Dorm Desk Shelves
If your dorm room desk doesn’t have shelves above it, you’ll want these folding wooden shelves from The Container Store. Durable and stylish, they’re perfect for adding extra storage space on top of your desk. They’re available in white and java.
Tip: Use colorful bins and baskets to keep your supplies organized and add a pop of color to your room.
DIY Dorm Desk Caddy
Adorable DIY dorm desk caddy is cute, functional, and cheap! Colorful organizer keeps all your most-used supplies close at hand…and adds personality to your dorm room.
Use your favorite colors…you could even mix and match colors if you’d like. Get the complete instructions at Mod Podge Rocks Blog.
Dorm Desk Drawer Organizers
Is your desk drawer a mess? Recycle cereal boxes into adorable – and functional – drawer organizers!
No more wasted time searching for highlighters, tape or scissors. Plus you’ll love the bright colors and patterns you’ll see whenever you open your dorm desk drawer. Get the complete instructions at I Heart Organizing.
Charger Organization
College students always have loads of chargers….phone, laptop, iPad and who knows what else. Prevent mixing up chargers with your roommate’s by using colorful Washi tape to identify your chargers, as shown in this cute picture from Shaken Together Life.
Wall Organizers
Take advantage of blank space on your dorm room walls by adding shelves and organizers. Look for organizers that are both attractive and functional.
Remember that you probably won’t be able to use nails or screws to attach anything to your dorm room wall. Pottery Barn Teen has a great selection of No Nail organizers that look fabulous and will keep your room organized.
Check the complete selection of No Nail organizers out here.
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