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It may be summer, but the fall semester is basically right around the corner, and preparing now is the best way to get ahead. Here’s why: Dorm rooms are, for lack of a better word, tiny, so making sure you’re prepped with storage ideas that don’t take up the entire room but still let you keep your belongings organized is essential. Not only are we here to share amazing storage products, but we’re also offering advice from an expert, Mabel Heitmeier, founder of Spark Joy in Mi, who had a lot to say about getting and staying organized. "When you're living in a small space, every single item needs to have its place. Without a system, students spend way too much time searching for things instead of focusing on studies and activities that really matter."
She has a great point. As much as we’d love to get those massive bins that most people keep in their garages, college students need to be a little more clever with their organization of products. "When I was at school, my organized dorm room was a sanctuary away from the chaos of college life," Heitmeier adds. Ahead, we’re sharing nearly 28 items that actually make getting organized, dare we say, enjoyable.
Dorm rooms are famously small, so trying to fill them with massive storage pieces is not the best idea. So, we are focused more on small but mighty products that get a lot done. Case in point: This shelf that hooks onto the edge of a bed frame and basically functions as a nightstand, but without taking up so much floor space.
In a small space, opting for products that perform two functions is a must, and this nightstand with both shelves and drawers is a perfect example of why. Not only does it offer plenty of space to hold all your smaller goods, but it also comes with a full charging station for any devices that could use some juice.
Not that dorm rooms are enormous, but lugging things from corner to corner, desk to bed, and anywhere else can be a bit of a nuisance. We recommend popping anything you'll need regularly on the shelves of this utility cart and simply wheeling it where it needs to go—no physical exertion required.
Anyone living in a small space knows that over-the-door storage is an absolute must. Each of the six cubbies is durable and complete with a clear front so that you can see exactly what's in them.
Not all college dorms come with a nightstand, but that's hardly an excuse to not have your phone, iPad, journal, or water bottle at your side when you need them first thing in the morning. This casual crochet caddy hooks right onto the bed frame.
If you're someone who likes your space to feel more homey, you may want to snag a true nightstand. This one is completely open, so it won't take up any visual space in the room, and features plenty of room to display an alarm clock, books, and picture frames. Plus, it's under $25!
Dorm desks are not often the best options on the market, so if you want to make some much-needed improvements to what you're given, go with this desktop bookshelf, which gives you plenty of additional space for books and knick-knacks.
No, this is not a nightstand, but it can be used as one if needed. Otherwise, fill the drawers of this piece with underwear, socks, workout clothes, pajamas, or anything else you use regularly. What's more, this set of drawers is on wheels, so you can put it in one spot and then change your mind later that day.
When you think of stackable storage bins with lids and handles, beautiful fabric-covered boxes may not come to mind, but rest assured, these will get the job done. They come in large and jumbo sizes, so they're big enough to fit anything you'd need to stow away.
This is easy to forget until you actually get to college and realize you don't have anywhere to put your shower stuff. As is the case with most dorms, the shower is rarely in the room itself, so you have to carry all of your haircare products, body wash, and whatever else you need to the bathroom. Our advice? Don't try to do it with just two hands because, when you drop something, and you will drop something, picking it back up will be no easy feat. Just simplify the awkward walk to the bathroom and get a shower caddy.
Any college student prepared to be best dressed on campus needs a shoe rack capable of storing up to 18 pairs. This one is our personal favorite, which is why it ended up on our list. "My boyfriend and I live in a New York City apartment with only one closet, so figuring out how to make the most of it was a challenge, to say the least," Associate Shopping Editor Jessica Cherner says. "I ended up buying two of these to put in front of one another: My summer shoes are on one and live in the back during the colder months and my warmer shoes live on the other rack and stay in the front during colder months."
Getting clever in the closet is a much-welcomed challenge, but these hangers actually make it pretty easy. If you don't have a ton of clothes, feel free to leave them horizontal, like regular hangers. Otherwise, tilt the hanger unit on its side and free up a ton of space on the rod.
Okay, this pick may be a little more fun than the others, but it's just as functional. Not only can you store your bigger items you don't want to waste valuable closet space on, but you can also use it as a bedside table. Don't like the blue? Get it in pink.
It's easy to let your desk become cluttered with books and whatever else you throw down on it in the moment. Keep your books and little knick-knacks organized with this desktop organizing shelf, which comes in five finishes. You can even tuck away pens, pencils, and cords here.
Store your most-used beauty essentials, like fragrances and hair oils, on the miniature shelves of this antique-inspired cabinet. Because it's so lightweight, you can mount it on the wall using two super-small nails yourself—no power tools required.
And if you have a few more essentials you can't bear sticking in a medicine cabinet or drawer, opt for a two-tiered rustic shelf that's incredibly easy to hang. Bonus points if you incorporate something that smells good, like a reed diffuser or a mini houseplant.
Similar to their fabric counterpoints, these hard-bodied modular bins are collapsible when they're not in use. Otherwise, unfold, stack, and use them like cubbies for anything you don't feel like spending too much time searching for.
If you're lucky enough to have a toilet in your dorm room (it's rare, but it does exist), place this three-shelf rack above it. This thing comes in handy for anyone with lots of stuff who doesn't want to have to edit their collection. There's room for everything.
Whether you're a shoe fanatic or a tad overpacked for the semester, a multifunctional shoe storage box set will declutter your space in a way that makes finding what you need easy. Plus, you can use them to hold much more than shoes. This 20-count clear box set lets you find your favorite pair of heels or a scented candle quickly. One reviewer loves it as much as we do, saying, "Wow these are awesome! I love that they come in a pack of 20…The boxes are nice and sturdy and the best part—see through!"
It's our personal belief that everyone can use one of these wall-mounted organizers. As soon as you get home, hang your keys on the hook and slide your mail into the perfectly envelope-sized compartment. Stick whatever suits your fancy on the miniature shelf. We love the idea of a tiny succulent.
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