5 Fresh Dorm Storage Ideas for a Cool, Modern Space
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The basic dorm room is pretty uninspiring, with its cinderblock walls, a small bed and hardly any dorm storage. The challenge is how do you breathe personality into such a small space? And how do you deal with dorm organization and clutter?
With a little planning and inspiration, you can create an awesome room with plenty of dorm storage as your personal sanctuary to study and lounge in. Here are some dorm room decor ideas and dorm storage items in stores now that make dorm organization easy, modern and very Tumbler!
svetikd / Getty Images
You probably can't paint your dorm room walls but you don't have to live all year with white or yellow. Decide what color you want to add to your dorm room decor and work with it. Some ways to add your favorite color to your dorm space is in your:
Anchiy / Getty Images
Keep the desk surface clear by using vertical space and walls for all the extra stuff. Hang cork board and cork strips, baskets and other cubbies from the wall in a cool gallery wall pattern. Again, use Command adhesive strips instead of nails to hold items in place.
You can also add a desk topper to add extra shelving and storage. Decorate the backing of the desk topper by:
Bulgac / Getty Images
Create an interesting headboard by adding a bookcase behind your bed to store extra items. Just be sure the shelves are high enough that you don't bang your head when you sit up. Or you can avoid that by choosing a narrow book case that your bed sits against.
Another dorm room organization idea is to run a long, low, narrow bookcase along one side of the bed like in the pink dorm room. You can face the shelves toward you to access while in bed or face them outward, with the bookcase backing up against your bed.
Gerenme / Getty Images
Use a rolling caddy (or two) for food storage and a base for a small refrigerator. And if you're a coffee fanatic, why not create a small coffee bar somewhere in your dorm room? Take a simple table or rolling caddy for your coffee maker and supplies and add some wall storage to hang coffee mugs. If hanging heavier items is an issue, add a desk topper to your table to keep all your mugs and coffee supplies handy.
Bojanstory / Getty Images
Dorm organization means getting creative to maximize your small space. Use sturdy cubes, boxes, trunks and storage ottomans in your room to work as both dorm storage that hides clutter and:
Image Source / Getty Images
To create a dorm room bed that's so cozy you and your friends may not want to leave, add plenty of bedding layers that include:
1. Start with a color theme
svetikd / Getty Images
You probably can't paint your dorm room walls but you don't have to live all year with white or yellow. Decide what color you want to add to your dorm room decor and work with it. Some ways to add your favorite color to your dorm space is in your:
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- Bedding
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- Shelving
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- Underbed storage boxes
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- Area rug
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- Desk accessories
2. Organize your desk
Anchiy / Getty Images
Keep the desk surface clear by using vertical space and walls for all the extra stuff. Hang cork board and cork strips, baskets and other cubbies from the wall in a cool gallery wall pattern. Again, use Command adhesive strips instead of nails to hold items in place.
You can also add a desk topper to add extra shelving and storage. Decorate the backing of the desk topper by:
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- Lining with decorative printed paper
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- Adding cork board
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- Mounting a magnetic board
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- Painting the desk topper backing with chalkboard paint
3. Add shelves around your bed
Bulgac / Getty Images
Create an interesting headboard by adding a bookcase behind your bed to store extra items. Just be sure the shelves are high enough that you don't bang your head when you sit up. Or you can avoid that by choosing a narrow book case that your bed sits against.
Another dorm room organization idea is to run a long, low, narrow bookcase along one side of the bed like in the pink dorm room. You can face the shelves toward you to access while in bed or face them outward, with the bookcase backing up against your bed.
4. Add a coffee and snack station
Gerenme / Getty Images
Use a rolling caddy (or two) for food storage and a base for a small refrigerator. And if you're a coffee fanatic, why not create a small coffee bar somewhere in your dorm room? Take a simple table or rolling caddy for your coffee maker and supplies and add some wall storage to hang coffee mugs. If hanging heavier items is an issue, add a desk topper to your table to keep all your mugs and coffee supplies handy.
5. Add hidden and under-the-bed storage
Bojanstory / Getty Images
Dorm organization means getting creative to maximize your small space. Use sturdy cubes, boxes, trunks and storage ottomans in your room to work as both dorm storage that hides clutter and:
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- As a desk seat
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- As a bench
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- As a nightstand
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- To tuck under the bed
Create the best and coziest bed nook ever
Image Source / Getty Images
To create a dorm room bed that's so cozy you and your friends may not want to leave, add plenty of bedding layers that include:
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- Faux fur or other soft throws or blankets
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- Plenty of throw pillows with fun messages and favorite colors
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- Soft and fluffy sheets and bedding
