I’ve reached a point in my life where I am almost an empty-nester (one more to go), and getting my oldest prepared for his second year at Vanderbilt University has become par for the course. Dorm life is pretty hard for us parents to navigate, but it is a rite of passage, and something this mama cannot avoid.
I’ve taken a proactive approach when it comes to helping my son for yet another year at school, and as an organizational expert, I have a few tips to help college students maximize the small space of a dorm room.
Check out Jenny Q’s Six Must-Use College Dorm Hacks:
Double down
A huge college dorm room hack is to purchase things that can be used multi-functionally. For instance, you can purchase a small bench/ottoman that opens instead of a table for their room. The opening of the bench can double as a storage area for items, and help create the need for less furniture in the room. Beds with ready made storage underneath also work.
Push pins for the win
A box of push pins costs less than $2 in most stores, and can help your college student create more space in their tiny closet. Simply apply the push pins to the wall, and use them as hooks for their jackets and light coats. This can also make for groovy interior design, and cause less time looking for their outerwear in cluttered closets.
My son’s dorm room items before he moved in.
Store the door
Create even more room in the closet by using the back of the door as storage for shoes. Shoe organizers are relatively inexpensive, and can be purchased in most department stores. Shoe organizers can also double (we are back to that again) as storage pockets for other items, too for toiletries, snacks, and more. If there’s not room on the back of the door, try a basic shoe lifting shelf (available at Bed Bath and Beyond) to give them a few more shelves in a tight closet.
No tangle
Binder clips and zip-ties can help your college student organize their tech cables and keep them untangled, which can help you save money on frayed cords. Attach the binder clips to the edge of a desk or table, and insert the cable or plug through the top of it. That’s it! This helps keep the cords out of the way as well as a neat and tidy workspace.
My son ‘s dorm room after he moved in.
Throw rugs
Throw rugs are cute and give the dorm room a snazzy look, but did you know that they can also help absorb sound? This really comes in handy to help keep their quarters insulated and less noisy.
Another plus? Throw rugs can easily be carried outside and shaken out for fast cleaning, which helps if your student doesn’t have a vacuum cleaner.
Label Everything
I couldn’t live without my labeler and getting your kids ready for college is the perfect time to break it out! Label everything they take, clothes, books, wires, electronics, even furniture and rugs. This will help them keep their stuff separate from the roommate, but also keep them organized as they unpack.
For big bulky items (bedding, pillows, quilts) throw them all into a vinyl laundry bag (available at Target) and label with painters tape and sharpies.
Dorm room hacks are a must when it comes to getting your college student ready for campus living. What do you think of my tips? Do you have some to share? Leave me a comment.
