How to Organize Your Dorm Room
January 23, 2023
Open gallery
When it comes to thinking about how to organize your college dorm room, it may be overwhelming at first. There’s a lot to think about: all the things that you may need, how to fit it all in a space that may be smaller than you are used to, and adapting to possibly having a roommate for the first time. I know when I first went to college I was a little nervous about all that. Now, as a sophomore at Purchase, I feel that I have some great tips on how to get the most storage space out of my room.
One of the main things I did my freshman year was to actually use one of the drawers in my desk for my dishes and kitchen stuff. Since a lot of my homework is done on my laptop, I had space in my desk that I was not using, so I found a use for it that was actually pretty perfect for me!
In my building I do not have a closet, but I have a combined dresser/armoire that has a shelf on the inside. Some people use that for more space for clothing, but I use the space for fabric baskets that I keep all my shoes in. It keeps them out of my way, and I do not need to worry about kicking my shoes halfway across my room.
Under my bed I have a Sterilite three-drawer unit that I keep all my snacks and food in. I also keep a bin of extra sheets and towels under my bed so that I have more room in my dresser for clothing.
The key to packing is thinking about how much storage you will have in your room and if you will actually use what you are bringing. When moving in my freshman year I did not bring enough clothing because I underestimated just how much room I would have in my dresser. Luckily for me, I live in-state, so I went home a few weekends after moving in and was able to get more clothing and stuff that I had room for. I know a few people at the time who were out-of-state and had a similar problem, so they had to have stuff mailed to them.
Now I have two bags that I use when packing my clothing, and I know those two bags will be enough clothing and that it will all fit in my dresser/armoire. I would also say when you’re first packing to move in, do not bring anything “just in case” you will wear it. I had a few things in my dresser that just took up room that I never wore in high school but “maybe I will in college.”
I still sometimes feel like I need more room for stuff or that I have too much stuff, so every time I go home I use it as an opportunity to bring back what I do not need. Also, every time I unpack when getting back to school, I use that as an opportunity to reorganize and try to get the most out of my storage.
–Katie Thorn