Packing for the dorms can be difficult because storage space is limited. Help the college students in your life with these helpful tips from our Marketing Coordinator, Sarah Boughan, who is a recent college graduate who has valuable insight on this topic. See how she was able to maximize the space in her dorm room and create a functional home away from home.

Bunk the Beds.

One of the best decisions my former roommate and I made prior to moving into the dorm was bunking our beds. It really allowed us to maximize the space that we had to store all of our items. It also provided ample storage space underneath where we were able to store bins and containers filled with food, toiletry items, and blankets.

Seasonal Packing.

We were each given a standard wardrobe and a three-drawer dresser, so we had very limited space to store all of our clothes, shoes, and accessories. Packing seasonally was the only option we had to make the limited space functional. During holidays or long weekends, we took our summer clothes home and switched them out with winter clothes. It was frustrating at times when the weather didn’t always cooperate, but it was the best solution given our storage situation.

Sharing Clothes.

This option may not be appropriate for everyone, but sharing clothes with your roommate can maximize your space tremendously. My roommate and I had an open wardrobe policy. With permission, we wore each other’s clothes our entire freshman year in the dorm. Not only did it allow us to save space, but we saved a lot of money as well because we had twice as many outfits!

Over The Door.

Consider Over The Door Kits for an additional storage option. Maximize unused space behind the door by hanging frequently used personal items and shoes for quick and easy access. Not only does this maximize space but it is great for storing shoes, snacks, toiletry items, and more!

Create Functionality.

It was important to add functionality in the dorm with our futon. We placed it on the opposite wall from the bunked beds to create a more inviting space to hang out with our friends. Plus, it had a lot of room underneath where we were able to store storage bins that held shoes and boots.

The transition of moving from a home with ample space to a single dorm room was challenging, but we made the most of it! Maximizing the space we had was crucial to creating a functional area for us to live in for a year. We had to get creative in how we made the small space work. It’s difficult to maximize the storage space in a dorm room, but it can be done with creative storage solutions!