Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
College Storage Drop
41
items A complete list of must-have storage items to maximize your space in a tiny shared dorm room. My kids have tested out what works & what doesn’t. Take a peek at my storage recommendations!!!
Line up a few of these on the top shelf of your desk. My daughter had these filled with desk supplies. Functional & cute!
13" Decorative Coiled Rope Square Base Tapered Basket Small Cream - Brightroom™
Coastal dorm decor was trendy last year. These are sweet little baskets for makeup, desk supplies, and snacks.
Woven Water Hyacinth Folio Bin - Brightroom™: Handwoven Decorative Basket for 13" Cube Storage, Multicolor Naturals
Trendy dorm storage baskets. Love the coastal vibe they give. Pair with a little pot of faux hydrangeas and a few sunset pics.
Woven Water Hyacinth Rectangular Basket Small - Brightroom™
This basket is cute and functional. Grab a few for your closet. Would be a cute option for holding socks, undies or workout wear.
Large Braided Water Hyacinth Basket with Faux Leather Handles - Threshold™: Multicolor Storage & Organization, 13" Cube System
I can picture these in a guy dorm. Would be a perfect way to hold gym shorts, socks, laundry detergent. Very functional!
XL Woven Abaca Basket - Brightroom™: Handwoven Storage, Lacquered Finish, Rectangle Floor Crate, 22"x15"x13"
Under the bed storage is essential for extra hoodies, cold weather items like hats, gloves, coats. Take advantage of every inch of your dorm room with these trendy storage options.
Underbed Fabric Bin with Lid Light Gray - Brightroom™
I can’t get enough of these baskets! Perfect storage for extra notebooks, art supplies, or snacks for the dorm.
Braided Water Hyacinth Folio Basket with Faux Leather Handles - Threshold™: Storage & Organization, 11" Cube Compatible
Tall hair care products like hairspray & curling irons would fit perfectly in this wire basket. Use those desk shelves to line up baskets for the ultimate storage hack.
6.25'' x 17.75'' x 6'' Medium Rectangular Wire Natural Wood Handles Basket Black - Brightroom™
Stick this on top of the dorm fridge for an organized snack solution! Pop-Tarts, Granola Bars, Small Chip Bags, this basket set works!!!!
3 Drawer Organizer Black Metal with Natural Wood - Brightroom™: Decorative Storage Drawers, Bedroom Dresser, Anti-Tip
Desk supplies need to be organized with such limited space in a dorm room. These are perfect for your pens/tape/scissors OR for nail polish & makeup bottles.
2pk Wave Medium Decorative Basket Gray - Brightroom™
Most dorm rooms have desks with drawers. Pop these in a drawer for pencils, paperclips & tacks for your corkboard. Keep it all organized!
3pk Wave Assorted Decorative Basket Mint Green 5L Narrow 2c - Brightroom™
A great way to keep quarters for laundry, paperclips or tacks for the corkboard. Stock up on storage baskets for your dorm!
4pk Wave Mini Decorative Basket Cream - Brightroom™
Use as an organizer nightstand! Add a cute little lamp on top and you’re an organized genius!!!
3 Drawer Medium Cart White - Brightroom™: Plastic Storage Drawers, Portable Utility with Casters, No Assembly Required
One of the best ways to organize snacks next to the micro/fridge…or makeup…under the lofted bed. This is a must for freshman dorm organizing!!! Both of my kids have these!
3 Tier Metal Utility Cart White - Brightroom™: Rolling Storage Trolley with Wheels, Powder-Coated Steel, 31.3" Height
This is my daughter’s makeup cart. She squeezed it between her desk & her bed and it was the perfect size! She rolled it out to do her makeup at her desk…then rolled it back when done. A tiny solution for a big storage issue.
3 Shelf Narrow Metal Storage Cart White - Brightroom™
I grabbed one of these for the shared bathroom last year at Ohio State. 16 girls sharing a bathroom was a big issue for space. They all popped their shower caddies on this! It was perfect to keep in their bathroom.
3 Shelf Wide Metal Storage Cart White - Brightroom™
A great storage option for dorm snacks, coffee maker, popcorn popper & dishes.
Narrow Metal Storage Cart with Wood Top Black - Brightroom™: Rolling Utility Cart with Casters & Fixed Shelves
Those dorm closets are small! Grab a shoe rack for the ultimate storage hack! Don’t forget a plastic boot tray for those wet rainy days too! No one wants a puddle on the floor.
4 Tier Bamboo Shoe Rack - Brightroom™: Shoe Organizer for Closet & Entryway, Holds 12 Pairs, Freestanding, Multicolored
Yes for shoes…AND…yes for t-shirts, yoga pants, and whatever else!!! Storage hack!!!
Over The Door 26 Shelf Mesh Shoe Organizer Light Gray - Brightroom™: Hanging Shoe Storage, Closet Organizer, Holds 13 Pairs
Shoes, socks, granola bars, PopTarts, you’ll figure it out! This is a great storage option!!!
Over The Door 24 Pocket Mesh Shoe Organizer Light Gray - Brightroom™: Hanging Shoe Storage, Holds 24 Pairs, No Assembly Required
Hoodies!!! My daughter’s closet in her freshman dorm was so small, she used this to store her dozens of bulky hoodies! It was perfect!
8 Shelf Hanging Fabric Shoe Organizer - Brightroom™: Closet System Component, Gray, 8 Shelves, Hanging Shoe Rack
Great for the bottom of the closet. Who knows WHY they’d need all of these shoes at college…but these girls apparently do!?!?
Shoe Rack, 3 Tier Shoe Organizer, Fabric Shoe Shelf Storage with 4 Hooks, Holds up to 18 Pairs of Shoes, Height-Adjustable Shoe Rack for Entryway
A perfect set for organizing freshman year!!! Grab this for the desk!
Mesh Desk Organizer Silver - Brightroom™: Steel Office Supplies, Desk Drawer Organizer, 8"x8"x4.5"
My son had two monitors at college side by side, so I bought two of these for him. It gives students a bit more desk space for notebooks, etc. Recommend for those bringing whole computer systems.
Mind Reader Monitor Stand, Ventilated Laptop Riser, Paper Tray, Storage, Office, Metal Mesh, 20"L x 11.5"W x 5.5"H, Black: Desk Organizer
Grab one of these for his desk! Perfect for organizing!
Mesh Medium Desktop Organizer Silver - Brightroom™: Steel Desk Tool Holder, Office Supplies, 7"x7"x6"
Jackets, bathrobes, towels, hoodies, they’ll need a spot to hang their duds. This is a perfect way to add extra hanging space.
Mixed Material Over The Door 4 Hooks Rail Light Wood on Matte Black - Brightroom™: Back of Door Coat & Towel Rack
Grab this for roommate towel storage. Tell them to hang those wet towels up!!!
Mixed Material Over The Door 6 Hooks Rail Matte Black - Brightroom™: Steel Door Hanger Rack, Powder-Coated Finish
Command strips are widely used in dorms because they are sturdy & come off cleanly. Grab a bunch of different sizes and shapes for all of your dorm hanging needs.
Command Large Utility Hooks Value Pack
A genius way to hang those fairy & string lights around the dorm room!
Command Damage-Free Clear Decoration Clips with Adhesive Strips for Christmas Lights and Holiday Decoration
One of the only ways to hang artwork on cement dorm walls. Holds 5lbs!!!
Command 3 Hangers/6 Large Strips/6 Sets of Mini Strips Universal Picture Hangers White: Frame Hanging Hardware
Holds 10lbs! Perfect for winter coat, bathrobe, backpack, or anything you want to keep off the floor.
Command XL Triple Hook - Matte Black: Heavy Duty Adhesive Wreath Hanger, Plastic, 6.75" Height
Gold bling has been popular with dorm decor…so why not include a 10lb hook for hanging her fuzzy bathrobe, winter coat or backpack.
Command XL Triple Hook Satin Brass
Cute for dorm decor!!! Hang those pics and reposition up to 3 times! Tons of options for redecorating!!!
Command Damage-Free Hanging White Spring 8 Clips and 12 Strips
Lofted bed in her dorm? This will help! Storage inside to hold her cozy blankets too!
Large Round Button Tufted Storage Ottoman Green - HomePop
Making new friends calls for extra seating to hang out! Also makes a great foot stool when sitting at your desk. Storage for video game controls too!
Ornavo Home Collapsible Rectangle Small Storage Ottoman - 12" x 16" x 12"
This sweet little floral ottoman with storage will come in handy if her bed is lofted. Extra seating also helps when making new friends!
Dorm Storage Ottoman Floral - Room Essentials™
Include an ottoman on your dorm packing list! Great for storage & extra seating when everyone is hanging in your room!
Square Small Storage Dorm Ottoman Dark Black - Room Essentials™
Underbed storage is necessary in those small dorm rooms. Grab 2 of these for winter clothing that is too bulky to fit in their closet.
60qt Underbed Clear Storage Bin with Latches - Brightroom™
Yes…the basket storage looks so nice….but is it enough? Need more storage? Get something that is stackable! These are great for stacking on the top shelf of their closet or desk.
4L Stacking Clear Bin with Lid - Brightroom™: PET, Lidded, Stackable, Universal Storage, 10.15"x6.81"x4.52"
Those fancy hampers are a challenge to carry to the laundry room. These backpack laundry bags are tried & true. A clear pocket to hold detergent too. Get the classic laundry tool for your college kids!
Backpack Laundry Bag Textured Gray - Brightroom™: Polyester, 3500 Volume, Multipurpose Hamper Bag, All Ages
Keep her intimates safe from the crazy dorm washers! Grab these mesh bags to protect items from getting destroyed at school.
3pk Mesh Wash Bags White - Brightroom™: Lingerie & Garment Bags for Delicates, Polyester Laundry Sorting