How to Organize a Dorm Room

By eHow Education Editor

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Question: How do you fit your books, clothes, linens, computer and other necessities into a space no bigger than a prison cell? Answer: With furniture that's vertical, functional and dual-purpose.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step1
Find out what furniture is included with your room. Many dorms have suggested floor plans to maximize space; some schools won't let you bring your own furniture.
Step2
Use a footlocker-style trunk and stackable, interlocking plastic crates to transport your things to school. The crates can serve as storage units, and the trunk can double as a coffee table or an end table. Suitcases can store clothing and extra linens.
Step3
Bring only the clothes you'll wear for the next few months if you plan to go home on breaks. Fill in gaps and adjust for the seasons in spurts.
Step4
Add a hutch to the top of your dorm-issued desk to store books, and invest in a tall, narrow bookcase or rolling filing cabinet that takes up little space, but can store a lot.
Step5
Set up a loft bed, which creates under-bed space for a desk and storage. If your dorm doesn't permit lofts, increase available floor space by stacking the beds into bunks, or raise your bed on cinder blocks to slide in shallow under-bed boxes or drawers.

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on 2/25/2008 Heh, I would actually say don't decorate -with- your roommate.

You may be able to coordinate in the first year, but what about the other 3 (or more) years of college?

Also, it would be impossible, let's say, if you get a random roommate and realize he/she is your perfect roommate match except...he/she likes the opposite side of the color wheel. There's no reason to attempt coordinating your blue-green scheme to his/her orange-red. If you do, you might end up with a scheme you can't stand and, unless you happen to be extremely rich, must stick with for the rest of your time at college.

Why let colors divide you from a great friendship? If your roommate really cares -that- much, ignore that person (it's possible to live in a box with someone you dislike) or let them find another roommate.

It's better to buy things in the scheme you like, and "suffer" (that's sarcasm, *snorts*)

Flag This Comment

on 2/25/2008 Heh, I would actually say don't decorate -with- your roommate.

You may be able to coordinate in the first year, but what about the other 3 (or more) years of college?

Also, it would be impossible, let's say, if you get a random roommate and realize he/she is your perfect roommate match except...he/she likes the opposite side of the color wheel. There's no reason to attempt coordinating your blue-green scheme to his/her orange-red. If you do, you might end up with a scheme you can't stand and, unless you happen to be extremely rich, must stick with for the rest of your time at college.

Why let colors divide you from a great friendship? If your roommate really cares -that- much, ignore that person (it's possible to live in a box with someone you dislike) or let them find another roommate.

It's better to buy things in the scheme you like, and "suffer" (that's sarcasm, *snorts*)

Flag This Comment

on 2/25/2008 Heh, I would actually say don't decorate -with- your roommate.

You may be able to coordinate in the first year, but what about the other 3 (or more) years of college?

Also, it would be impossible, let's say, if you get a random roommate and realize he/she is your perfect roommate match except...he/she likes the opposite side of the color wheel. There's no reason to attempt coordinating your blue-green scheme to his/her orange-red. If you do, you might end up with a scheme you can't stand and, unless you happen to be extremely rich, must stick with for the rest of your time at college.

Why let colors divide you from a great friendship? If your roommate really cares -that- much, ignore that person (it's possible to live in a box with someone you dislike) or let them find another roommate.

It's better to buy things in the scheme you like, and "suffer" (that's sarcasm, *snorts*)

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 7/14/2006 Ideal for cash strapped students, gain immediate under bed storage, by putting your bed (securely) on top of 4 breeze blocks. Plenty of space for boxes, files, and suitcases!

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 3/30/2006 Don't decorate without your roommate. Not only is it a great way to bond and learn about each others style, but if you don't it could kick off a year of confrontations.

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eHow Article:  How to Organize a Dorm Room

eHow Education Editor

eHow Education Editor

Category: Education

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