A dorm room is small, shared and temporary, which makes it a perfect test for smart storage. You need things that fit tight spaces, come apart easily and work with university rules. These twelve ideas make a dorm room more livable, and most are cheap and need no tools.
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Check the rules first
Look at your housing guide for rules about adhesives, extension cords, heaters and candles. Measure the bed height, the closet and the desk, and check with your roommate before you buy matching items. Keep things simple, since you have to move everything out again at the end of the year.
Around the bed
Under-bed storage
Boxes under the bed hold shoes, spare bedding and food. Measure the clearance first, since dorm beds vary.
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Bed risers
Risers lift the bed for more storage underneath. Check the rules, since some halls limit bed height, and make sure they suit your bed legs.
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A bedside caddy
A caddy holds a phone, a book and chargers within reach of the bed, which helps in a room with no nightstand.
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A surge protector
Dorm rooms have few sockets. A surge protector with USB ports charges everything. Check your hall's rules about power strips.
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Closet and door
Slim hangers
Slim hangers fit more clothes in a small closet and are cheap in bulk.
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An over-the-door organizer
It holds shoes, supplies or snacks and needs no tools.
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Adhesive hooks
Hooks take bags, coats and towels off the floor. Check the rules about adhesives on dorm walls.
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Vacuum storage bags
Compress bulky bedding to fit under the bed or in the closet.
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Desk, bath and laundry
A desk organizer set
A tray set keeps pens and supplies tidy on a small desk.
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Fabric cubes
Cubes tuck into a shelf or under the desk and fold flat at the end of the year.
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A shower tote
A tote carries toiletries to the shared bathroom and dries quickly.
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A collapsible laundry basket
It folds flat and carries a load to the laundry room.
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Settle in
Unpack in stages rather than all at once, and keep what you do not use at home. A dorm that is not overfilled is easier to live in.