I can still remember my shopping list for my first dorm room. Years ago we kept it simple -- the must have warehouse staple was the old dairy crate and that was pretty much it. Those dairy crates organized all from sweaters and sweatshirts to books. Today the warehouse choices are almost unlimited (although the allocation may not be...), so outfitting a dorm room or first apartment can be a bit overwhelming. I have asked our summer intern (a college student) to share some organizing challenges she has experienced first hand. We have divided the typical college living space into 5 areas:
- base area
Shower Caddy
- Kitchen and bath area Desk
- Bedroom or sleeping area
- The all the time too small and functionally challenged closet.
- base Area
Question: "A lot of dorm rooms are small and have one base area. What would you recommend to help students keep their base area organized? Also, can you recommend some useful products for storing food, movies, and Cds?"
Answer: base areas can be a tricky, because you have now entered the zone where your belongings are society property. I would recommend a minimalist approach. If it is for a dorm, keep it simple and portable. There are cheap multimedia racks, drawers and even cubes (the "new" dairy crate!) ready for storing Cds and movies.
Trunks can provide supplementary table surface, store out-of-season blankets and sweaters, and even make a good hiding place for your spare laundry and bathroom supplies. If you are furnishing an apartment, make it a group scheme so that everybody is complicated with choices and expense sharing.
Many students store their snacks and munchies where they hang out, so just remember to label them and stay clear of glass. Many reduction stores have some verily cool and cheap dry warehouse options.
Kitchen and Bath
Question: "Can you give guidance on how to keep your stuff separate from your roommates in both the kitchen and the bathroom?"
Answer: In the kitchen -- label, label and label. Population are less likely to help themselves to something when it is clearly marked. An alternate law is to divide the shelves in the refrigerator - maybe one for each man and one base shelf? If your allocation permits, purchase a set of food warehouse packaging and clearly label them with your name and any warning you may want to include. Unfortunately there will all the time be those few who will help themselves to anyone and everything, so don't sign a lease with them next year.
There is never enough room in the bathroom, so keep it simple and portable. Buy a shower tote or caddy; a proven goods that has been colse to for years. I recommend girls go for the largest one you can carry while most guys could probably make do with the smaller ones. If looking a covering is an issue reconsider a hanging dopp kit, which can be verily hooked on to a towel rack. Don't forget about your towels; reconsider large hooks for hanging wet towels. Extra towels and toiletries can be stored in a simple 4-drawer warehouse cabinet also ready at many reduction stores and other retailers.
The Desk
Question: "What would you recommend for keeping your desk neat and school work organized?"
Answer: There is a wide range of great things on the market today to keep your desk clutter free and functional - you are only wee by your allocation and your imagination! reconsider addition the covering area of your desk by placing your notes and class papers in a file cart or create a hanging file box that can fit neatly under or on the side of your desk. Construct your desk by keeping like things together or categorize by subject. Apply a bulletin board with a calendar for foremost dates and scheme deadlines, so they won't be missed or forgotten.
The Bedroom
Question: "Do you have any suggestions for students on how to maximize this space and still keep as much of your personal belonging in this small space?"
Answer: You can be as creative with this space as you want to be. Take benefit of the total area, together with under the bed, behind the door, the walls, and even the college issued furniture. Look for wide underbed drawers; they make the excellent secondary warehouse unit. Hang a shoe bag behind your door; these pockets can be used for more than shoes -- socks, extra toiletries, small camera, film, batteries, water bottles, and yes even that extra case of beer. Hang a few hooks on the wall or if allowed setup a small shelf. If you have a large desk, reconsider adding a hutch; the supplementary shelves are very favorable and accessible when working at the desk.
The Closet
Question: "How do I make the most of this very small space?"
Answer: Years ago my first dorm closet was about 3 feet wide and 9 feet tall. An very narrow area in which to cram 9 months worth of clothes and shoes and remember this was the time in my life when I agonized over every clothing detail. Today that wee area would be a snap, because my "mom uniform" does not require a lot of space.
Seriously, most of the time closet space comes is at a premium, so you must Apply every inch. The right type of hangers is key - an item like a multi-tiered shirt or pants hanger can save space and have clothes fit neatly in small spaces. reconsider adding other rod for short hang items since most college wardrobes are heavy on short hang pieces. other goods used to increase space and keep things from tumbling down is stacking shelves. If you prefer your sweaters and sweatshirts at eye level, use a hanging sweater bag that attaches to the closet rod. Don't forget about the floor space -- short stacking baskets work well in this space.
Today's college trainee may have a lot more assosication and warehouse options than we did in years past, but with a small budget, some advance planning, clear lines of communication with roommates and a sense of humor, organizing their space can be verily closed and they can focus on what's verily foremost about college. I was referring to learning - what did you think I meant?
©2004 Bridget Messino and Emily Steinecker
College Bound: The Organized Dorm
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