Just because your dorm room is small, doesn't mean you have to feel like a prisoner in your own bedroom.
Some campus living spaces are less than generous and make it nearly impossible to house all the necessities. But getting organized and adding extra storage space can mean the difference between lounging and barricading oneself into a mountain of clothes and Easy Mac.
Organizing a desk space can make the most significant impact when reducing chaos. Small, stackable drawers are great for holding anything from pens and scissors to computer supplies. Sterilite drawers can be found at Wal-Mart, Target or CVS for relatively inexpensive prices.
According to Hilary Cohen, a sophomore exercise science major, she and her roommates use plastic drawers to store all of the items that usually take up more space. Cohen recommends adding tall and stackable shelves to increase storage capacity and maximize floor space.
"We raised our beds up really high so we could store more things under there, too," Cohen said. "Cleaning is also important. You can't keep saying you'll put your clothes away tomorrow, or they just build up."
Making the most of closet space can also add to clutter control. Double hanging racks can increase closet space and allow for more to fit in the closet rather than on the floor or draped over chairs.
First-time students usually panic after initially seeing the size of their dorm. To make the most of floor space, use over-the-door shoe racks to get those twenty pairs of pumps out from under the bed. Stackable cubes, small enough to fit in the closet or under the bed, can provide a place to store those little nuisances that take up desk and closet space. Jennifer Lewis, a sophomore history major, recommends bringing a file cabinet to keep papers organized.
"In addition to the drawers school gives us, I have pull-out drawers where I can store items by category," Lewis said. "I also bought an ottoman that doubles my storage. I can use it as a coffee table or even an extra seat."
Not having private bathrooms can also be a source of anxiety for many students who are used to having their own. Plastic bath totes can solve many of the problems caused when students can no longer carry all of their shampoo and loofahs without accidentally dropping their towels. Grocery stores like Target carry totes that are small and inexpensive but will still hold extra soap and razor blades.
One of the most important components of making a space feel like home is the decorations. The right d?(c)cor can make the difference between living in a cubicle and making your bedroom your own; giving a small space some personality can make the room seem larger.
Optimizing space using the door is often something students don't think of. Buying removable, stick-on plastic hooks offers a place to hang coats, belts or anything else that needs to be hung. A large bulletin board or white board is helpful for notes, class schedules, photos and to-do lists. It can help organize and serve as a message center. A bulletin board is also a great way for roommates to communicate with each other when someone isn't around.
Finally, electronics can make or break the comfort level of a dorm room. Finding a VCR/DVD combination and using a computer as a stereo or radio helps avoid the need to bring in excess items from home. Using the lighting provided in rooms, both freestanding lamps and desk lamps, also increases space on the floor and on desks and dressers.
With these cheap and easy methods, your efforts will certainly pay off over time.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
