Dorm rooms are notoriously small. Its tough to learn to live away from home. Doing it in a small space with a stranger is even harder. Here are a few tips to help you maximize your space, customize it and learn to create a home away from home.
1. Maximize vertical space. Add bed risers or cinder blocks underneath your bed in order to house totes for storage. This is a great place for last semester’s text books, paper towels or out of season clothing.
2. Use the back of the door. A towel rack like this is a great use of the space as your towels will have room to dry. However, you can also use an over the door shoe rack to house school supplies, makeup or accessories.
3. Your desk will likely be small, so look up. Use a hutch on a corner of your desk to give yourself more book and accessory storage.
4. Double your closet. Use closet systems specifically designed for small space. Some items I love are a hanging jewelry organizer and a double bar. By adding the double bar you double your hanging space within seconds. Who can’t use more closet space?
5. Command Hooks-These hooks can be added anywhere and they don’t do any damage to the wall’s surface so they can easily be removed at the end of the year.
6. Add lots of plastic bins. You can use plastic shoe boxes to house your tool kit, first aid kit, extra toiletries, etc. And at the end of the year, they are ready to be moved home easily.
7. Get a fridge cart. If you don’t create a place for plates, mugs and snacks, they will end up all over your room. Use a fridge cart like this one to keep everything in place and make your fridge easier to get to. Check your school’s guidelines on fridge allowances.
8. Use a shower tote to keep your daily supplies together and so they are easily carried back and forth to the bathroom.
