24 Clever Storage Ideas for Dorms

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For many first-year students, starting college means buying a bunch of stuff that you then have to fit into a tiny dorm.

To help make the most of your space, we recommend storage and organization products that occupy walls, doors, and other places that might otherwise go unused.

Because dorm rooms are often shared spaces, keeping things organized can help cut down on cluttered chaos, which is especially important in the rush before morning classes.

Here are 24 clever ways to help organize your dorm room.

Honey Can Do 24 Pocket Over-Door Shoe Organizer, available at Staples, $16.29

The Container Store 24-Pocket PEVA Over-the-Door Shoe Bag, available at The Container Store, $19.99

Mindy Godding, a decluttering expert and certified professional organizer with Abundance Organizing, told Insider that she doesn't like this type of organizer for shoes. Instead, she puts hats, gloves, scarves, and sunscreen in them. In a dorm, they work great for snacks, cooking tools, or cleaning supplies, too.

Brightroom 4-Bar Flocked Hangers (2 Pack), available from Target, $9

The Container Store 4-Tier Swing-Arm Pant Hanger, available at The Container Store, $10.99

Closet space is at a premium in dorms, so being able to fit several pairs of pants or skirts on a single hanger can help keep your clothes off the floor (provided you actually use them). For the rest of your clothes, check out our guide to the best hangers.

Design Ideas Silver Mesh Magazine Holder, available at The Container Store, $8.99

Bigso Stockholm Magazine Holder, available at The Container Store, $11.99

If you're someone that uses notebooks for notes, assignments, or sketching, you'll want a handy way of keeping them organized. Magazine holders are also great for holding craft supplies or hair-styling tools.

Recycled Stuff and Store Underbed Bins, available at PB Teen, $29

The Container Store Our Long Under Bed Box with Wheels, available at The Container Store, $32.99

West Elm Modern Weave Underbed Storage Basket, available at West Elm, $145

Some dorm beds come with built-in storage. If yours doesn't, consider using the cavernous depths for out-of-season clothing, extra pillows or blankets, and anything else you don't need to access every day. Of course, you'll want some sturdy boxes to keep everything clean and dust-free.

The Container Store 3-Tier Rolling Cart, available at The Container Store, $32.99

Yamazaki Slim Rolling Storage Cart, available at West Elm, $72

Dorm rooms pull duty as libraries, social spaces, and kitchens, which is why wheeled storage is a great idea. You can shove it out of the way on movie nights or pull it near when you're working on a project.

iDesign Affixx Adhesive Organizer Bins, available at The Container Store, $12.99

PB Teen No Nails Photo Rail, available at PB Teen, $29

PB Teen No Nails Wall Organizer, available at PB Teen, $47

A great way to utilize the space above your desk or bed is with stick-on shelves or wall organizers. Since nails in dorm walls are often forbidden, adhesive is your friend, as long as you don't try to display your tungsten collection.

Command Heavy Duty Hooks, available at Amazon, $8.28 for a set of 2

Command Large Hook in Brushed Nickel, available at The Container Store, $15.99

Command hooks may be the MVP of the dorm room. Hang up your hats, keys, jewelry, headphones, and more. Check out a few other great ways to use Command hooks and strips here.

Anker 12-Outlet, 3-USB Power Strip Surge Protector, available at Amazon, $28.99

Anker USB C Power Strip, 521 Power Strip with 3 Outlets, available at Amazon, $39.99

You'll want to double-check your dorm rules to make sure they're allowed, but a surge protector is an easy-to-forget essential. Not only do they help protect your gadgets, they keep all your chargers in one place so you're not constantly hunting for one.

Flora Home 5-Shelf Corner Ladder Bookcase, available at Target, $58.99

Mara Corner Bookshelf, available at Urban Outfitters, $199

When your living space is a couple of hundred square feet (or less), every inch counts. A corner bookshelf might be just what you need for a bit of extra storage or displaying plants and photos. You may want to wait until you've moved in to make this purchase to ensure there's enough room for it.

Hay Colour Crate, available from Hay, $3.60

RPET Hanging Closet Accessory Storage Organizer, available at PB Teen, $39

Elfa Medium Mesh Closet Drawers, available at The Container Store, $193

If the dimensions of your dorm closet permit, boxes, bins, or freestanding shelves can help contain items you can't or prefer not to hang.

The Container Store Large Zippered Clear Pouch, available at The Container Store, $5.49

L.L.Bean Accessory Zip Pouch, available at L.L.Bean, $9.95

Emily & Meritt Black Kitty Recycled Pencil Case, available at PB Teen, $22.50

Instead of letting pens, packs of gum, hand sanitizer, and other small items float freely in your backpack or desk drawer, toss them all in a pouch.

HengLiSam Magnetic Fridge Organizer, available at Amazon, $29.99

Yamazaki Magnetic Kitchen Organizer Rack, available at Pottery Barn, $42

DormCo Suprima Portable Mini Fridge Organizer, available at Amazon, $127.58

Those able to bring a mini fridge to their dorm should make the most of its tiny dimensions by adding magnetic organizers to its sides or resting it on a cart with extra storage shelves. We especially love the magnetic ones because you can use them on a washer or dryer to save space in an apartment.

mDesign Wide Shower Caddy with Hooks, available from mDesign, $35.99

Simplehuman Corner Shower Caddy, available at Amazon, $99.99

If you only share a bathroom with a few people, you can probably keep a few products in the shower, especially if they're nicely situated in a removable shower caddy.

iDesign The Sarah Tanno Collection Cosmetic Drawer Organizer, available at Amazon, $26.03

Sorbus Makeup and Jewelry Storage Case, available at Amazon, $29.99

Wrangle your lipstick, foundation, and the rest in a compact container that lets you see where everything is located. We especially like options that make use of vertical space.

Freegrace Hanging Toiletry Bag, available at Amazon, $18.99

Topo Designs Dopp Kit, available at Backcountry, $34

L.L.Bean Personal Organizer Toiletry Bag, available at L.L.Bean, $34.95

Sea to Summit Travelling Light Hanging Toiletry Bag, available at REI, $39.95

A quality toiletry bag isn't just about lugging your toothpaste and face wash to and from the bathroom. It should be the perfect place to store your sundries when they're not in use.

JIAKAI Honeycomb Drawer Organizer, available at Amazon, $6.39

mDesign Expandable Drawer Organizer, available at Amazon, $20.49

OXO Good Grips 4-Piece Adjustable Drawer Bin Set, available at Amazon, $32.95

iDesign Linus Shallow Drawer Organizers (Set of 5), available at The Container Store, $35.99

Too often drawers can become a pit of mismatched socks and miscellaneous garments. And it's all too easy to shove something into a desk drawer and never find it again. Dividers and bins help make sure everything ends up in its place.

Bed Riser w/ Power and USB (Set of 4), available at The Container Store, $39.99

Bed risers add a few extra inches of space below many types of beds. They won't work for everyone, but they can be a simple way to get a few extra bins under your bed.

Manhattan Modular Organizers Nightstand, available at The Container Store, $177.90

Made up of open-fronted bins, this nightstand is a modular solution with more organization options than the standard drawers. You can choose the types of bins that fit your gear best.

mDesign Multi-Compartment Fabric Velcro Bedside Caddy, available at mDesign, $13.99

Dormify Luna Non-Slip Bedside Caddy, available at Bed Bath & Beyond, $35

RPET Ultimate Footboard Storage, available at PB Teen, $39

Anyone who's had to sleep on a top bunk knows you often end up curled up next to a book, your phone, or glasses. A bedside caddy that attaches to the bed frame or mattress will keep these items in reach but out from under you.

Threshold, Essex Single Storage Ottoman, available at Target, $75

Article Maribo Storage Ottoman, available at Article, $229

Yet another item that pulls double-duty is a storage ottoman. You can use it as a seat while extra blankets, bulky clothing, or small sports equipment hide inside.

Household Essentials Hanging Laundry Bag, available at Amazon, $14.72

Sterilite Stacking Laundry Basket, available at The Container Store, $16.99

CleverMade Collapsible Fabric Laundry Basket, available at Amazon, $44.99

For those who like to put away hampers when the laundry's clean, a collapsible or hanging laundry bag are great options. Stackable hampers work well for people who always have dirty clothes and not-yet-put-away clean items.

Spectrum Over-the-Cabinet Grid Basket, available at The Container Store, $15.99

PB Teen Expandable Metal Over The Door Multi Hook, available at PB Teen, $49

Baskets or bins that hang over a closet or cupboard door can give you another place to put toiletries, cleaning supplies, or other items you frequently use.

Observatör Clip-on Basket, available at Ikea, $9.99

Metaltex Small Undershelf Basket, available at The Container Store, $11.99

Another great temporary storage solution is a basket that clips onto shelves, making use of otherwise empty space. They're a great place for spices, medications, sponges, and more.

OXO Good Grips POP Removable Labels, available at The Container Store, $6.99

Blue Panda Removable Labels (500 Pack), available at Target, $11.99

Some roommates don't mind sharing everything from their ramen to their e-readers, but you still might want to add some labels to bins so you can remember what you put in them.

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