Turning a Dorm Room into a Model of Efficiency
By ABIGAIL LEICHMAN, STAFF WRITER
Every August brings with it the challenge of fitting lots of stuff in that tiny space called a college dorm room.
To help you shop smarter, here are tips from Real Simple home editor Kate Parker and Dorothy Frischman of Montvale-based Organized by Us.
Frischman says to get in touch with the school (to get dimensions and ask what you may not bring) and with future roommates (to avoid duplication). Then, make a shopping list in four columns: need, have, want, can’t have.
* Use wall space for vertical storage rather than hanging posters. Parker likes the Container Store’s elfa customized shelving system. Nothing is nailed into the wall except the top strip. Its grooves hold vertical bars with brackets so you can add as many shelves as you like.
* A set of bed risers ($9.99 at dormbuys.com) maximizes space for hidden storage. Stor-n-Slide under-bed boxes from the Container Store start at $12.99.
* No nightstand? The Bedside Organizer ($13.99 at dormbuys.com) hangs from the side of the mattress and has spots for remotes, glasses, water bottles, tissues and more.
* Storage ottomans give you extra movable seating as well as space to put extra linens and whatnot. A round twill model is $79.99 at jcpenney.com.
* For laundry, get a two-compartment bin for whites and colors so you don’t ruin your whole wardrobe in the first semester.
* Mount a cubby system above your desk to hold school supplies. Hey, it worked well in kindergarten, so why not in college?
* Create a filing system for important papers rather than holding onto stacks of notebooks. Use binders or magazine files (two for $6.58 at Staples) to sort class work, extracurricular paperwork and dated projects.
For a portable alternative, try the big Tote ‘N Go for $6.99 at Staples or the smaller Pretty File Tote for $19.50 at see janework.com.
* To make the most of closet space, buy an over-the-door or hanging organizer for shoes and small items.
For sweaters, organize.com offers an expandable three-shelf closet unit ($18.99) and a combo canvas unit for shoes as well, $22.99. The site also sells dividers for closet shelves.
* Don’t carry around all your toiletries in one big bag or basket that you have to rummage through. Instead, get smaller containers and divide things according to usage (for example, a shower bag, a hair bag and a face bag).
* For safety and appearance’s sake, get a cord-control system to bundle the wires from all your electrical and electronic gear.
Parker stressed that all the organization products in the world won’t help unless you use them.
“Set up a system from Day One for you and your habits,” she said. “Make a plan before you move in, because it won’t happen later once you’ve thrown all your stuff in the room.”
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E-mail: leichman@northjersey.com
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