As families are starting to think about back-to-school and the dreaded task of setting up dorm rooms, we’ve been receiving questions from clients about our favorite dorm room organizing products. Prepping for dorm life is challenging. There’s limited space and very rarely are the layouts and measurements provided ahead of time.
We put together a list of products that maximize space, fit in almost any space, and most importantly, assist with productivity and efficiency which is crucial for those attending college, especially for the first time.
Check out our list below for some of our favorite dorm room essentials.
Footboard Storage
This is the perfect solution for a bedside table. This storage compartment fits at the foot of your bed, and it’s super roomy with eight different sized pockets!
Charging Organizer
We’ve talked about these bamboo charging stations more than once simply because they are fantastic. We have so many devices to charge these days - laptops, AirPods, smart watches, iPhones, iPads, Kindles - and the cord situation can get unruly. This keeps everything contained and eliminates all the tangled wires everywhere. Plus having one home base to charge everything makes a huge difference in productivity.
Shoe Cabinet
Shoe storage can be tough in a dorm, especially if closet space is very limited. We love this shoe cabinet because it is extremely slim but can still fit a number of shoes. This would be a great shared system if you have roommates!
Slim Rolling Cart
This rolling cart has been a sneaky favorite of ours. We bought this for a very narrow space in a bathroom and were pleasantly surprised at its utility. We find ourselves using them in bathrooms, offices, kitchens and playrooms. It comes with hooks to hang items and we’ve added separate containers to the trays to corral smaller items like paper clips. It’s simple to put together too.
Floating Wall Storage
We know there are restrictions in dorm rooms, like drilling holes in walls, so we like to use these floating storage units because there is no drilling required. Simply attach to the wall using the adhesive strips. These are also great for interior cabinets or the back of doors.
Collapsible Laundry Basket
Laundry baskets can be so cumbersome and the laundry bags still look like a pile of clothes on the floor. We like this lightweight collapsible basket and it can be stored underneath the bed when not in use.
Foldable Shower Caddy
A shower caddy is a must-have on the dorm list which is why there are a ton of versions out there, but after a lot of research we chose this foldable, plastic caddy that takes up little space when not in use.
Plastic Storage Trays
Another Tidy Nest favorite….storage trays, compartments, organizers, containers, whatever you want to call them… we love them! You can find these products in a variety of materials, styles and price points. In this case, these plastic trays are budget-friendly, easy to clean, come in pretty colors and can be used in desk drawers, dressers, or that rolling cart we mentioned above!
Space Saving Hangers
It seems like every guide we create has some kind of hanger. We are very particular about our hangers and while we usually don’t love plastic hangers, these are a great space saving option for small closets.
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