How to Organize a Dorm Room
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.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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1
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.
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2
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.
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3
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.
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4
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.
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5
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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Comments
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Larry Fike
Jul 21, 2010
Cool ideas. Books will soon be passe, aside from collectors. Google the design-work of Andrea Zittel for alternative living spaces. See my website on design and consciousness. -Larry Fike -
jowiththeflow
Jul 29, 2008
This is probably a quaint suggestion - but seriously - it beats gaining the freshman 15. My mother sent me off to school with a bunch of Foldtuk containers that let me do a fair amount of microwave cooking and really just make it easier for me to have some nutrition. it really helps to keep my energy levels up and makes me feel better. It's just one way to combat how stressful things are during midterms, for example. You can check it out if you're interested.... I think it's great to organize by stacking and collapsing stuff like that.
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jowiththeflow
Jul 29, 2008
This is probably a quaint suggestion - but seriously - it beats gaining the freshman 15. My mother sent me off to school with a bunch of Foldtuk containers that let me do a fair amount of microwave cooking and really just make it easier for me to have some nutrition. it really helps to keep my energy levels up and makes me feel better. It's just one way to combat how stressful things are during midterms, for example. You can check it out if you're interested.... I think it's great to organize by stacking and collapsing stuff like that.
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Korarnithlas
Feb 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*)
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Korarnithlas
Feb 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*)
