The Ultimate Guide, College Dorm Organizing Ideas:

The following is a list of dorm organizing ideas with links to complete checklists to help you start off the year organized and prepared.

Want a dorm room that supports you and makes you feel at home? Given that most dorm rooms offer minimal space, you will want to ensure that you have everything you need and nothing that you don’t. These dorm organizing ideas and suggestions will help you do just that. With three daughters who have all gone off to college, I have been through this process several times and have learned some tricks along the way.

Dorm Organizing Idea #1:

Plan ahead and talk with your future roommate about decor and oversized items.

If you know ahead of time who you are going to be rooming with, you may want to talk with your future roommate about dorm organizing in advance to avoid duplication of larger items such as a dorm refrigerator, microwave, TV, coffee pot, etc. This is also a good time to discuss decorating and come up with a style or theme together so that your choice of decor style and color doesn’t clash with your roommate’s.

Dorm Organizing Idea #2:

Space plan and Measure.

If possible, measure the spaces in your dorm room ahead of time and take photos of closets and bathroom spaces to ensure that larger items like futons, dorm refrigerators, and other items will fit into the spaces available. Use your creativity to rearrange the existing furniture to create more space. If you are short on space try stacking the beds or moving a dresser to your closet.

Dorm Organizing Idea #3:

Use a checklist to ensure that nothing is forgotten on move in day.

As you start to think about dorm room organizing, a College Dorm Room Checklist is a must and will ensure that you are not forgetting to bring any important items with you. The Container store also has a great resource called How To Organize Your College Move. This will also help you to avoid bringing items that you don’t need, which ultimately end up cluttering up your small space.

Dorm Organizing Idea #4:

Check with the school to see exactly what items they provide.

This way you won’t make the mistake of buying a trash can just to find out that there is already one provided. It is also a good idea to find out what appliances are allowed and what is prohibited. Some colleges allow things like toasters and microwaves and some do not.

Dorm Organizing Idea #5:

Hold off on buying questionable items and utilize a local store on moving day.

When my daughter moved into her dorm room, we held off on buying questionable items until move-in day because we knew we could stop at the store down the street. By the time we had her situated, we were able to buy only what she actually needed and found that we needed much less than expected.

Dorm Organizing Idea #6:

Establish zones while arranging.

If possible, create small areas for different activities such as studying, sleeping, entertainment, and eating. Store everything that you need for each activity in those zones. For example, for studying, create a place to store pens, pencils, highlighters, a comfy pillow, portable light, glasses, etc. so that you will have everything you need at your fingertips when it is time to study.

Dorm Organizing Idea #7:

Don’t bring out-of-season clothing before you need it.

If you live within reasonable driving distance from your college, leave your winter clothing at home until colder weather arrives. Swap your summer and fall clothes for your winter clothing as the weather changes. You will free up much-needed space in your dorm room closet if you only store the clothing and accessories you actually wear.

Dorm Organizing Idea #8:

Don’t forget to take advantage of every inch of space.

Bed risers and under the bed storage bins are a great way to utilize the space underneath your bed for extra storage space. Add storage cubicles to the bottom of your closet if you are short on shelf storage. Consider bringing a small nightstand with open shelves so that it can double as a small bookcase.  Over-the-door pocket organizers are great for extra closet and bathroom storage. Utilize wall space by adding removable damage-free hooks on doors to hang things like purses, coats, robes, towels, or your backpack.

One last thing, to ensure your comfort and a good night’s sleep I highly recommend a memory foam bed topper.  College dorm beds are not always the most comfortable, and a bed topper will make you feel more at home.

​Taking these steps will help make dorm organizing a piece of cake.  It will also ensure that the things you don’t need, will not be cluttering up your small space.

If you are a family member of a new college student and have younger school-aged children at home, get more organizing tips on how to prepare for the new school year,  HERE. These tips will help you avoid stressful moments and everyone head back to school.