The No-Fail Guide to How to Fit All Your Clothes in your Dorm Room
Dorm rooms are tiny, and if you thought you were going to be able to fit your 100 shoes, expansive sweater collection, and that ski outfit (just in case) in your room, you’re in for some major disappointment. Every college student has to find that elusive balance between maintaining a solid wardrobe and somehow fitting everything in the room. Here’s a no-frills guide on how to keep all the threads you need to look great every day of college and on the weekends, too!
Start with the Right Hangers
Most college dorm rooms include a closet or wardrobe. This space is precious, so get the most use possible out of it. Don’t even think about bringing those thick, bulky plastic hangers. Instead, use space-saving hangers that can let you squeeze in a few more tank-tops or that fall sweater that looks gorgeous on you.
Double your space by purchasing hangers that include a bottom bar. This bar allows you to hang pants, skirts, shorts, and capris (or even a second shirt) on the same hanger as your tops. Here’s another cool option – our jewelry hanger. Not only can you hang your favorite tops, but you can also hide your jewelry in the secret compartment. Saves space and keeps your grandma’s pearls safe!
Fold Like a Champ
Forget everything your mother taught you about folding your shirts and pants into nice, neat squares. You’re facing a space emergency here, so you can’t afford to let a single inch go to waste. The best way to fold your clothes to fit as many as possible into a drawer or cubby is generally to fold the item into a square and then roll it like a burrito. This excellent video from HGTV goes into more detail on how to ideally fold different types of clothes.
These tips are perfect for folding your PJs, exercise wear, and intimates and fitting them all into the drawers of your nightstand or cubbies that you bring.
Add Space for More Clothes
Perhaps the single closet, wardrobe, or dresser provided in your dorm room doesn’t come close to being able to handle your massive clothing collection. Create more space by purchasing furniture that can give you more nooks, crannies, and cubbies to use.
For example, these Dorm Decor Bed Hutches give you cubbies that you can fill with your colorful spring jumpers and your favorite flannel PJ bottoms that always keep you warm in the winter.
Don’t Forget the Space Under the Bed
Don’t let all the free space under your bed go to waste! Every square foot matters, especially when you’ve got to find a place for all your fall boots, your spring sandals, your walk-around-the-quad tennis shoes, and those stilettos for party nights. Buy up a few (or a few dozen) small canvas bins to hold your shoe collection and then keep them under the bed, out of the way but easily accessible when you need them.
Switch Out Wardrobes
If you are fortunate enough to live within a reasonable drive of home or have plans to visit your family during holidays and spring break, then there’s no reason you need to bring your entire seasonal wardrobe with you to college. You aren’t going to use your bulky winter sweaters and long underwear during the spring, so let them take up space at home. Likewise, those shorts and sandals are just going to get in the way during winter time. Make plans to come home and switch out your wardrobe once or twice a year. Your parents will certainly appreciate the visit, even if they’ve already turned your old bedroom into a home gym.
Bring Less Clothes
Unless you’re a strict minimalist, you enjoy the freedom of having a variety of outfits to choose from each day. At the same time, college is about growing your mind and soul, not necessarily your wardrobe. Living in a small dorm room can be a good excuse to get rid of the clothes you don’t truly need and of focusing on what really matters in life, like making amazing friends, joining new clubs, and having late night philosophical discussions with your classmates on the quad.
These tips can help you make the most out of the space you have in your dorm room, but consider cutting down your wardrobe before you arrive on campus. You might be surprised that you don’t really miss that third pair of black sneakers as much as you thought!