Trust Me, These 22 Dorm Storage Ideas Will Keep Your Space So Organized
Starting at $6.
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For many of us, decorating a college dorm is the first foray into the world of interior design. What better way to flex your skills than by transforming a drab, poorly lit dormitory into a cozy oasis?! But since your dorm has to serve as a bedroom, living room, kitchen, and study space all in one, it requires some ~creativity~ to keep things organized.
As someone who spent her college years in a shared dorm—only to move to an even smaller New York City apartment post-grad—I've become somewhat of an expert at making the most of small spaces. So, to make your semester go a liiiittle more smoothly, I found all the best dorm storage ideas the internet has to offer.
My pro tip? Look for items that serve more than one purpose—such as a storage ottoman, a shelf that doubles as a phone charger, or under-bed storage that slides out of view with ease. You can also use decor like curtains, wall peg boards, and stylish baskets to make your dorm feel coordinated yet functional.
Ahead, shop my favorite dorm storage and organization hacks starting at just $6.
This velvet-wrapped ottoman adds subtle texture and color to your dorm while secretly storing blankets, games, or whatever else you put in there. Plus, it's one of those versatile home purchases you can use beyond your college years—making it well worth the under-$100 price tag.
Since you'll probably be running late to class, make it easier to get dressed in the morning with these foldable organizers—the set comes with 12 felt boxes designed for holding tees, leggings, bras, and more. I personally love that the sides are 5 inches tall, allowing you to stack or roll your clothes then store them neatly.
Your desk needs to double as a study space and a makeup station, so grab this colorful vanity organizer to keep your holy grail products on hand. There's tons of nooks and crannies for holding foundation, nail polish, powder compacts, and more—all contained in a sleek, 6-inch by 9-inch silhouette.
I know it's not technically storage, but when styled on top of a few clunky textbooks, this cute lamp will give your shelves a cozy, homey feel without looking cluttered. I'm personally a fan of the mini size that won't take up tons of space but ~will~ add tons of character.
Create instant storage options for textbooks, pantry items, storage bins, and decor.... the options are endless, thanks to this geometric shelving unit. It's also only $40 at Target, which feels like a steal, considering all the organizational legwork it'll do in your dorm this year.
I may not be moving into a dorm room this spring, but I did just add this to my Amazon cart to keep my jewelry from cluttering my desk. I love that it has so many unexpected compartments for rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets in a space-saving vertical design.
To keep my own teeny closet organized, I've turned to hanging sweater organizers like this option from Amazon. The hanger-like hooks attach to your closet rod, and six separate compartments help store folded items like sweaters and jeans. Plus, I love that there's optional drawers to make the most out of each shelf.
As a college athlete, under-bed storage bins were the *only* way I managed to keep my workout clothes organized in my teeny dorm. This particular option has wheels underneath that make it easy to slide in and out, and I love that the lid folds at the middle, so you don't have to drag the whole container out every time.
One easy way to make your space feel more cozy? Incorporate texture and warmth to offset that harsh dorm lighting. West Elm's woven hampers add a natural element that's literally perfect for design aesthetics like coquette, cottagecore, and more. Plus, there's a range of different sizes to suit your exact needs.
Okay, it may not be the sexiest purchase—BUT!—these adhesive cord organizers will help you keep track of all your chargers without cluttering your space. Slap 'em on the side of your desk or bed frame and never worry about losing a cord behind your furniture again.
Call it a hunch, but I just know you're going to need a whole bunch of these bins for your dorm. Whether it's for holding toiletries, holding clothes, or keeping your pantry clutter in check, these do-it-all containers are versatile enough to use wayyy beyond this semester.
You'll need a laundry basket to transport your dirty clothes to and from the laundry room, but this one gets bonus points for its collapsible design. When it's not in use, you can slide it into a corner of your closet without losing tons of space.
Let's be honest: If you're storing all your clothes in drawers or under-bed boxes, they're definitely gonna get wrinkly. This handheld iron only takes up a few inches of space, but it can smooth creases from your favorite clothes in a matter of seconds—so it's a small space must-have in my book.
Instantly add necessary shelving to your dorm with this desktop shelving unit. According to over 12,000 reviewers, it's easy to assemble, and we love that it comes in six different wood tones to match the rest of your furniture.
If you're lucky enough to have a private bathroom, this narrow cart will come in handy for stowing all your hair tools, cleaning supplies, extra toilet paper, and more. Pro tip: Add a few smaller plastic bins to the shelves for holding hair ties, Q-tips, and other easily-lost items.
My favorite hack for concealing under-bed clutter? A ruffly bed-skirt. This particular option boasts over 43,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, and shoppers say it's super easy to install even under heavy mattresses.
These dorm-friendly shower shelves better be on your shopping list if you're sharing a bathroom with roommates. This set is a best-seller on Amazon for a reason: The adhesive on each shelf can hold up to 40 pounds without falling.
If you don't have your own shower, I personally recommend this caddy for carrying shampoos, conditioners, skincare, and more to and from the bathroom. The mesh fabric helps avoid water pooling inside, which is *so* important if you want to avoid bacteria growth.
If you choose to loft your bed, you're probably going to spend a LOT of time fishing around for your phone charger when it falls through the crack between your bed and the wall. That's where this damage-free shelf comes in... it attaches to the wall with adhesive strips and works as a wireless charger for your phone.
Make your mini fridge even more functional with these magnetic rack organizers that can be used to hold way more than just spices. That way, you can have utensils and pantry staples on hand whenever you need them.
Samantha Jones is a Senior Commerce Editor at Hearst Magazines, where she writes and edits across ELLE, Cosmopolitan, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, and more. She has close to a decade of editorial experience in the wellness, fashion, and lifestyle space, with bylines at other publications including PEOPLE, Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, and Food & Wine. As someone who spent years curating her own personal style, Samantha can often be found reporting on emerging style trends or wear-testing the most underrated jewelry brands for a story. She is also an avid runner and former Division I athlete with particular expertise in workout apparel and running shoes. (In fact, when she’s not at her desk, she’s probably out for a run.)
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