23 Organized College Dorm Storage Ideas for Any Room

Set yourself up for success this semester with these ideas on how to arrange your dorm room for efficiency and tidiness. Make the most of your living space by utilizing some of the following creating storage options.

Dorm storage ideas for around your bed

No matter how many people are in your dorm room or what the setup is like, at least one of these storage ideas will be helpful:

1. Put your bed on risers

Bed risers come in various sizes, with the smallest, college-budget-friendly ones giving you several inches of storage space. If you can use larger ones that put your bed a few feet off the ground, your storage spaces increase significantly. You’ll have enough for a set of plastic drawers, a laundry hamper, and a fridge.

2. Use under the bed bins

Even if you don’t have risers, you can use shallow plastic bins with lids to store out-of-season clothes or extra snacks.

3. Attach a bed caddy to your bed

Don’t underestimate how awesome such a small organizer can be. Keep your phone, glasses, book, and other necessities within arm’s reach.

4. Get a storage nightstand

This works great for beds that aren’t on risers or lofted. Choose a container with drawers and a flat top so it can do double duty to hold things you want by your bed, as well as a place to tuck away your belongings.

5. Utilize an over-the-bed shelf

When space allows, a shelving unit that frames the bed with shelves on either side and above your bed is a great way to add extra storage.

Closet storage ideas for your dorm room

6. Hanging shelving

For the clothes that don’t fit on hangers, hanging shelves fit the bill. They come in various sizes and lengths, so you can find one that fits both your needs and your closet size.

7. Space-saving clothes hangers

Closet space is at a premium in most dorms. Maximize space by using hanging organizers that let you put multiple items of clothes on the same hanger.

8. Shoeboxes

Stackable shoeboxes keep them organized without getting other shoes dirty. They also work great for organizing toiletries.

9. Toiletry caddy

Keep all your hair styling products, facial cleansers, and shaving supplies in a caddy, so you never end up in the shower without your body wash.

Wall storage ideas for your dorm

Wall space is usually considered wasted space, but not anymore when you try these organizational ideas:

10. Removeable hooks

Buy removable hooks to hand jackets, umbrellas, and bags.

11. Jewelry organizer

Use a hanging jewelry organizer to free up shelf or desk space.

12. Personal effects

A small organizer hung by the door is the perfect place to keep your keys, a battery pack, notepad, and anything else you want to keep handy.

Desk storage and organization ideas for your dorm

Don’t lose out on study time trying to find that book you need. Keep your books and supplies organized with these storage ideas:

13. Get a few magazine holders

Use these to keep papers and folders organized while still being accessible neatly.

14. Invest in drawer organizers

Never have to rummage through the drawer for two minutes to find a paperclip. With a drawer organizer, you’ll have a specific place for every item.

15. Add decorative tape to tidy your electrical cords

Keep your electrical cords organized and know in an instant which one is which by using several colors or patterns of decorative tape to organize them. Wrap a bit of blue tape at both ends of your phone charger, green for your laptop, and red for your tablet.

16. Create a command center on the wall

Declutter your desk by moving critical items to the wall above or next to it. Hang a calendar, your class schedule, and if you add a shelf, you can leave your keys and phone there.

More Dorm room storage ideas

Here are a few miscellaneous storage ideas for your room as a whole. Read them all and try the ones that will work for your room’s setup:

17. An ottoman adds charm and storage space.

Use it as a catch-all for those items you don’t have a place for, or store extra bedding or clothes inside. It doubles as an extra seat when friends come over.

18. Store blankets and pillows in a basket

Use a wicker basket for extra throw pillows or fleece blankets that you want to keep handy but not on the bed.

19. A utility cart adds moveable storage space

The sky’s the limit with utility carts. Use it to create a coffee station, store snacks, hold books, organize your make-up, or anything else you need it for.

20. Use a shelving unit to add storage above your fridge

Don’t let your fridge take up precious floor space. Stackable storage that has a high weight limit will allow you plenty of storage for plates, cups, bowls, and packets of Ramen above your fridge without causing a fire hazard.

21. Consider over-the-door storage solutions

Usually used for shoes, over-the-door organizers are helpful for more than just shoes. Depending on the size of the pockets, you can store scarves and gloves, a water bottle, umbrella, extra toiletries, you name it!

22. Try above the door shelving

This won’t work for every room, but if you can add a shelf above your door, you’ll get a few more feet of space for storage or to put collectibles like the good-luck bear you’ve had since first grade.

23. A mirror organizer adds extra space and functionality

Are you missing your full-length mirror from home? Try a mirror organizer to get a two-in-one deal. Hiding behind the long mirror are narrow shelves to hold nail polish, jewelry, makeup, hair accessories, and much more.

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