Tips & Tricks: Dorm Room Organization

Key Words: Dorm Room Organization; Small Spaces; Apartment Organization

Are you sending a kiddo off to college this year? As I get ready to send my middle child off to college (even though it’s my second time going through this), it honestly feels like starting over again! Every college dorm and kid is so different!  Having the right resources and systems in place always makes these big transitions a whole lot easier. The same goes for organizing any space—whether it’s a dorm, home office, or garage. My hope is that all I can help you feel more confident and less stressed about the whole process. I’ve obsessed over dorm hacks on IG so you don’t have to!

FIRST THINGS FIRST Before we get into the questions, my number one tip is to get information. Try to find out as much as possible from the housing office about what the dorm will have (and what it won’t) before move in. It’s unrealistic to expect dimensions for each drawer, but sometimes you can “guesstimate” if you have access to a photo or video tour. But simply knowing how many drawers, or the basic size of the closet can help give you an idea of what to bring. If your college student will have a roommate(s), have them connect with each other to coordinate who brings what! Private college Facebook pages for parents are a great source of information as well!

How do I know what we need? Where do I start?

Living in a dorm is a whole new experience that can require some creative solutions to make the most of the space. I’ve compiled a college dorm checklist to help you get started, and below I’m answering some questions posed by my Instagram followers, and sharing some of my favorite organizing products for small spaces! 

How do I make the move-in process as efficient as possible?

The goal here is to minimize trips to the car. After all, move in day is usually HOT, and close parking spaces can be in short supply.

Pack smart. Rather than using cardboard boxes or suitcases, I prefer using these bags from amazon. Use clothes, bedding, and towels to pad more fragile items instead of packing materials. This will cut down on the overall number of bags (and save room for organizational supplies). Remove things you know you will use from the packaging ahead of time; it takes up so much room to leave things in their boxes! 

Consider bringing a flat bed cart if your college doesn’t have students available to help on move-in day with big rolling bins. Get one that folds up flat, and remember to pack heavier items on the bottom as you load it. Bring a bungie cord too to help secure things. It will save your back and really cut down on the number of trips you need to make from the car to the dorm. If you go this route, be prepared to be popular. Others will likely want to borrow it after you’re done! (Label it with your name and number so it gets back to you.) A Hulken bag is also nice because it has wheels that roll and handles to carry it up the stairs.

My child is going to school out-of-state, how do we manage seasonal clothes?

Use space bags. If your kiddo is going to school in a place far from home with four seasons, they’ll need to bring an entire wardrobe with them. Capsule wardrobes are a great idea for cutting down on the number of items they’ll need. Bulky sweaters and coats are space suckers in any closet though, so finding a solution for these is key. Space bags with a hand pump are great for longer term storage. They even make hanging ones if these items need to be stored in a closet.

Take advantage of the space under the bed. Some dorm rooms come with beds that have built in drawers. If not, consider bringing bed risers (these ones have a power outlet!) to gain a few extra inches of space for an under the bed storage system. With the extra space you earn, add some wide underbed drawers or Elfa drawers that can be customized for any height to store extra clothing. My favorite nightstand has a built in charger and come in a variety of heights, but if there’s no room for that, you can also add a bed shelf. (The only issue with those are they can get in the way of comforters hanging down.)

Utilize vertical space in closets. If there is a high shelf in a closet, this is a great place for storing items that don’t need to be frequently accessed, like off-season clothes and accessories. Use cute, labeled bins for some added style; and don’t forget to use slim velvet hangers to save space in the closet. You can fit in so much more! 

What are some tips for storing food in the room?

Fridge organization storage is key. Mini fridges are a challenge for dorm rooms because of the limited space you have, so I love putting the fridge on top of an Elfa drawer system so there is enough storage for food, a few plates, utensils, and cups.. You can also get this dorm fridge shelf unit and utilize the top shelves for storage bins to hold food and supplies.

Have a snack station. Dedicate a drawer to snacks, or use an air tight bin if critters are an issue in the dorm! Quick grab breakfast items can be stored here, too, for grab-and-go options on mornings with early classes. Buy these in bulk and use drawer dividers to maximize space. You’ll always have a go-to item to throw into the care packages you send. 

How do I encourage them to KEEP their dorm organized?

Only bring the essentials. Minimalism is hard for some, but in a small space it can really help keep things tidy. Keep in mind the resources available to your student on campus, and try not to be redundant. For example, gone are the days where a printer is necessary. With most assignments being turned in online, and printing usually available at the campus library, a printer would just take up valuable real estate. 

Set Reminders. Keeping a schedule of small tasks to complete each day is easy with the right program. Tody is one example of a virtual system for getting daily reminders of which areas need attention. It offers suggestions for a cleaning schedule, or you can customize your own based on the space. Or encourage your student to set a recurring appointment on Google Calendar to remind them to change their sheets and do their laundry. I’ve told my son that as soon as he gets the syllabi for a class, he should enter all the key dates in Google Calendar. Teachers don’t remind you about tests and papers like they did in high school!

Do a weekly reset. With more free time on the weekends, Sunday can be a great day for studying and resetting a dorm room. I’ll offer the same advice I offer families: put it on the calendar. Set aside a few hours on the weekend to do laundry, put away miscellaneous items, go through emails, and prep for the week. This is also a great time for students to look ahead at their week and make a plan for assignments due soon.

What are some organization essentials we should bring? 

The basics.

• A small, basic tool kit (including a mallet to help adjust the bed height), zip ties if bringing a dorm headboard, and a first aid kit (like this DIY one by spiffy chicks) are good to have. Bonus, the kits are already organized and compact! Win-win! 
• An inexpensive caddy is perfect for storing cleaning supplies, dishwashing supplies, and bathroom supplies if it’s a shared facility down the hall. Also check out this shower caddy with hook! One hack that I recently saw suggested purchasing a Dish Dying Mat to put down for the wet shower caddy. Genius!

• Drawer organization bins are great for organizing any school supplies in the desk drawer. Buy more so you can ensure a good fit. Just return the leftovers, or use them in the bathroom for storing small items like hair ties and q-tips. 
• White Board. So helpful for keeping track of social engagements and assignments due! (Or even on the soutside of a dorm door for notes and updates.) Encourage them to keep this schedule version updated each week so they know what they have going on at a glance. 
• Over-the-Door Organizers: Use as many as you can fit (on both sides of each door in the room). One with hooks for towels will save drawer space. Shoe organizers can be used for shoes (obviously), but also for bathroom and cleaning supplies. The flexibility makes them a must have. For a more sophisticated look, the Elfa over-the-door system is a nice option.
• Bring all the command strips! Get a variety of velcro strips and also hooks. Use these to run and sort cables, to hang decor, and to add storage to walls in the entryway or bathroom.

 Laundry Supplies.

• Clothes Drying Rack. This one goes over the door and folds up to save space. It is a great item to have on hand in case all the dryers are in use in the laundry room! 
• Skinny Hamper. I love the Poppin hamper from The Container Store. Its slim design doesn’t take up much room in a closet. The bag comes out for easy transport to the laundry facilities. If the laundry room is a hike, I love this backpack version that I bought for my oldest.
• Detergent pods. These take up less room than a traditional bottle of liquid detergent – and they’re just easier to use! 

P.s. If you haven’t already, don’t forget to give them a lesson on laundry before they go! 🙂 

Flexible storage systems.

• High-end option: Elfa Drawers (pictured below). Short on dresser space? Grab one of these! You can use the top for bins, and the drawers for clothes, books, and other supplies. They’ll last forever and can be used in their first apartment once they graduate! 
• Economical option: White Stackable Baskets. These are great for the floor in a closet. They are very inexpensive and can be stacked to take advantage of all the available space. 
• 3-Tier Rolling Cart. Excellent for creating storage zones. Custom inserts and other accessories can keep it looking tidy and the wheels allow it to be moved to where it’s needed. Great for storing dishes, art supplies, electronics, and more! 

PRO TIP. When it comes to smaller organizational items, like command strips, drawer organizers, and over-the-door hooks, bring more than you think you’ll need. You can always make returns later. It’s better to be over-prepared and be able to use all of the space, then having to make a run to the store in the middle of move-in day. Everyone else will be there! 

Seasoned Parent Tips for a Smoother Dorm Move-In

• Join a parent Facebook group for your student’s school—veteran parents share dorm-specific tips like curtain sizes, bed heights, and storage solutions that save guesswork.
• Use weatherproof latching bins for packing and summer storage, especially if storage units aren’t climate-controlled.
• Shop early for high-demand items like tall 5-drawer nightstands with charging ports and Twin XL bedding—these sell out fast before fall move-in.
• Don’t forget the little extras that make dorm life easier and more fun: a door stopper, whiteboard for friends to leave messages, a comfy chair pad, air purifier, and even an ultrasonic bug repellent.

Here are some of my other favorite resources for those with college-bound kids:

• @thedormguide on Instagram
• @thecontainerstore’s college checklist
• @jennyreimold‘s dorm room decor

That said, my final tip for you is this: know where to shop. Get familiar with the available store options in the area of the school. If you do need to make a run, it will be quick, and you can get back with plenty of time to finish setting up. Or just keep a detailed list of what you still need, and ship it when you get back home!

If you have any more questions about dorm organization, or have a suggestion to add to my list, be sure to shoot me a DM over on Instagram. If you’re finding yourself short on time to plan and shop, you can also always contact us for some help, too. If your child is staying local, we can organize on site. We’ve also helped other clients prep and pack their kiddo for colleges further away. Wishing you and your student a great year at college! 

Happy Organizing! 

Susie