Another summer is coming to a close and many of you are in the midst of moving your kiddos off to college. So, I turned to an expert on dorm room organizing hacks, our summer intern, Jolie Guyette.

While she has now upgraded to an apartment of her own for senior year, her dorm days are still fresh and she had incredible ideas for how to make the most of a small space.

Without further ado, let me pass the mic to Jolie!

It seems like just yesterday that summer began, but alas, back-to-school time is rapidly approaching. I think anyone who has lived in a dorm will agree that college housing is not exactly spacious, so organization becomes essential! While preparing for my senior year at Butler University, I thought back to all the space-saving products I’ve used and put together a list of my 10 favorites. Get ready to take on the new school year without the stress of a cluttered dorm! 

• Though your college wardrobe will be a far cry from your dream closet, that doesn’t mean you can’t still fit a ton of clothes inside! These space-saving hangers make it easy to store multiple items in the same amount of space as a plastic hanger.  

• Shower caddies are a great way to keep your bathroom essentials neat and organized. If you have a shared bathroom for your entire floor, this portable mesh shower caddie is super helpful for traveling to and from your dorm. For in-dorm showers, a hanging shower caddie works great for storing bottles, soap, loofahs, and more! 

• Vertical storage is a great hack when you have limited floor space. I’m a big fan of cube organizers because you can place items directly on the shelf or insert storage bins. I like to use mine for socks, t-shirts, and other clothing items that don’t need to be hung in the closet. You can easily fit two of the LARGE multipurpose bins inside if you need more containment for various categories.

• It’s easy for the space under your bed to become a graveyard of miscellaneous junk (I am very guilty of this). Underbed storage bins are the perfect solution to maximize space and minimize clutter. Bonus— your items won’t get dirty or dusty. 

• Adhesive Command hooks are a damage-free alternative to nails and thumbtacks. Depending on the size ordered, you can hang up to seven pounds and are a perfect solution for hanging bath towels, purses, hats, and decor. They also make Command Strips, which allow you to hang art without damaging the walls.

• Keep your kitchen and bathroom drawers tidy with these drawer organizers. I have separate bins for hair ties, floss, Q-tips, etc. to prevent my drawer from looking like a tornado went through it!  

• I like to store cleaning products under the sink, but the space is often not big enough to fit everything. These stackable bins from Container Store are perfect for utilizing vertical cabinet storage. With a variety of sizes, you can easily accommodate taller products. Another fun version are these stackable (and collapsible) storage crates found on Etsy.

• College life can be hectic, and I don’t always have the time or energy to cook. I like to make big meals and portion them into meal prep containers for later in the week. These containers are a college student staple, as they save both time and money. 

• BONUS IDEA FROM MARIA: Have fun with peel-and-stick wallpaper in your dorm. Even if you just put a little behind your desk area, it can give a fun pop of personality to your space!

I hope this list has inspired you to get and stay organized this school year! Here’s to a great first semester! 

The Baer Minimalist helps busy families create ORGANIZED + STYLIZED spaces throughout Indianapolis. It’s been many years since she organized her own dorm room at the University of North Dakota, but boy, is she excited about all of the neat products on the market for this year’s incoming freshman!

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