College is all about the new and exciting, and more than a little about—well, a little. It’s not just money that’s short for students; space is also at a premium. Dorm rooms mean living in tight quarters with strangers, and even off-campus housing usually comes with roommates. It does a lot to save you money, but it can make your life feel cramped and cluttered. These space-saving hacks are perfect for college students no matter your living situation. Not only will they make living in small areas a breeze, but they’ll save you money too!
1. Focus on multiuse furniture
Floor space is at a premium in a dorm room. The best way to maximize your “territory” is to find furniture that can multitask: a headboard with shelving, a rolling table you can use for study and at your bedside, etc. Look for furniture that does double duty and you’ll need to buy less of it!
Related: Making the Most of Your Dorm Space
2. Move portable furniture with ease
Choosing portable or collapsible furniture is another way to save space. Rolling storage can also make it easier to move things around to save space when you need it. Bean bag chairs take up far less space than having extra seating in your room, and they’re comfy too! Furniture like this also makes move-in and move-out day so much easier on you and your family.
3. Hang it all up
Since you need more room, make use of your vertical spaces. Buying cheap adhesive wall hooks will make a lot more space available. It makes it easier to hang up shelving or other affordable, light storage solutions. Hanging lights are another way to maximize surface space since they take up less room than standing lamps. Keep it cheap by using hanging shelves and shoe racks just like you would for your closet.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Decorating Dorm Room Walls
4. Sell or swap your textbooks
Buyback programs in your school’s bookstore can save you a bundle when you’re buying textbooks, but that’s not all they can do for you. They also offer easy cash at the end of every term. Selling your books is a great way to keep down clutter and save space in your room. Textbooks take up a lot of valuable storage space, and you often don’t even need the full book. Get what you can from the school library or book-sharing program at your college, or see if there's a digital version to eliminate the need for a physical book.
5. Maximize your closet space
Dorm closets aren’t exactly huge, but you can find ways to make more space, and it’s a lot simpler and cheaper than you think. Add an extra hanging rod for just a couple dollars and you can double your closet space. Hanging shoe racks and shelves make for great dresser space inside your closet, and folded clothes take up a lot less space than hanging them up. A few clear totes on the bottom of your tiny closet will give you even more space.
6. Utilize under-the-bed storage
Speaking of all that hidden floor space, make use of the unused space under your bed with large totes, and buy some bed risers to create even more. Maximizing storage is especially handy when you’ve got winter clothes and your next trip home isn’t until the end of the semester. If you don’t have everything you need at the ready, you’re more likely to spend money later.
7. Use a tote to carry bathroom supplies
Sharing a bathroom with a floor or a troupe of roommates and floormates isn’t easy. If you don’t want to end up paying for someone else’s shampoo, the best solution is to keep an organized tote you can bring to and from the bathroom with you. Keep it compact and in your closet so you can always grab it when you need it.
Related: A List of the Most Important Things to Bring to College
8. Use binder clips to organize cords
Electronics are one of your biggest expenses in college. Between your phone, laptop, tablet, and more, devices are even more expensive than textbooks. An easy way to save cash is to buy a used laptop or tablet, but regardless if your devices are new or used, you should prioritize protection. We’ve all been there—cords get tangled and damaged and need to be replaced. Or messy cords result in a dropped device. Keep your cables organized quickly and cheaply with binder clips. Sticking a few to the side of your desk keeps your cords organized, untangled, and most importantly, off the crowded floor where they can be tripped over.
9. Ditch the car
The best thing you can do to save on expenses in college is to take public transit. Car payments, insurance, repairs, and gas all cost money. Many schools also charge extra for parking privileges. And finding space? Parking on a busy college campus is not practical most of the time. Save yourself the money and the trouble; skip the hassle of finding the right place to put it and leave your car at home.
10. DIY whenever possible
It can take a bit of practice to work out what’s worth saving, but college will make you an expert on repurposing items. There are plenty of cute craft ideas to help you stay organized and save money. Use plastic or glass bottles to save your change. (You’ll need it!) Old boxes can be set under your desk or in your closet for extra storage. Check out some cute ideas for decorating online and make use of your used items.
Related: Operation Anti-Clutter: How to Clean Up Your Dorm Room
College dorm life means a tight budget and tighter living quarters. Maximizing both takes a little thinking and a lot of creative DIY. But these hacks can help you keep the clutter out of your space without spending a bundle on storage or carrying around things you don’t need. Every little bit helps, and not only will these space-saving hacks help you claim every inch of your space, but they’ll free up some of your cash too.
Move-in day is just around the corner! For more dorm room hacks and college life advice, check out our Student Life section.
