10 Tips for Cramming (it into your dorm) at College

It's that time of year again. A new group of young adults are heading off to college, moving from a house to a shared room the size of a large closet. And just how is it all going to fit? 

1.    Cut the clutter. Yes, you’re heading off to college and making a dorm room your own space. But chances are, it’s not just your space. You probably have a roommate. So leave as much of the memorabilia stuff behind in the safety of your parents’ house.

2.    Think dirty. This is college, and you’ll have people sitting on your bed, the floor, wherever. There may be a party in your room, fast food and pizza eaten over your desk. Use blankets for your bed that wash easily and that fit in the dorm’s washing machine.

3.    Talk to your roommate ahead of time. You don’t need two TVs and two mini-refrigerators and you certainly won’t be able to get it all in.

4.    Think vertically. Lofts are a great way to get your bed up off the floor. Another bed or your desk can be placed underneath to save space. You can buy lofts or build one yourself.

5.    Under the bed. I know your mother has told you time and time again not to cram things under the bed to hide them. I’m not saying you should. But hey, when space is tight, some sweet bins like these might be just the place to stash some out-of-season clothes or the things you want with you that don’t see daily use. Depending on how tall the bed is, you may need bed risers.

6.    Putty is your friend. If you have walls that allow you to hang framed items, great. But my college dorm had concrete blocks, good only for sticking posters on them high-school style. Not much we could do about that, but instead of ruining your posters and pictures with masking or Scotch tape, spring for some putty, which offers a nice, clean look. You can also get creative with metal wires hung across the room. Use mini clothespins, clips or even magnets to hang pictures from it.

7.    Be prepared to move furniture. One of my roommates kept her dresser in the closet, freeing up a lot of space in the room. Another roommate and I rearranged our furniture three times before we found the perfect way to make it all fit and still provide some space in the middle.

8.    Look for the little things to save space. Shoe pockets on all doors can be used to store not only shoes but school supplies, socks and whatever else will fit.  Plus they’re easy to install and to move.

9.     Extension cords are a must, along with surge protectors. There are only so many outlets and lots of things to plug in. Keep your electronics safe with a surge protector that allows multiple things to be plugged in. You can also use everything from a zip/cable tie to ponytail holders to keep those cords organized and straight.

10.    Whether your bathroom is down the hall or you’re sharing with suitemates, you’ll want to have a system for keeping your supplies together. Check out different shower caddies, or even a fun bucket if you’re taking your supplies with you.