Graduation season is quickly approaching, the college acceptance letters are in, and decision day has come. So if you're anything like me, this means you're already on Pinterest planning exactly how you want your dorm to look in the fall.
You're getting ready to move out (!!!!!) and decorating and picking exactly the way you want your first space to look is beyond exciting. But there's one thing you may not have thought about yet: how you're going to organize all your stuff in a shared room that might be smaller than your current one.
Don't stress though. I'm here to spill about the best dorm organizers, with the exact ones I had my freshman year that I'd recommend to any college student, plus the ones I wish I did.
9 Best Dorm Organizers
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Made from: Wood, glass, and velvet
Size: 14"W x 42.5"H x 3.9"D
Not to be dramatic, but if I had this in my dorm room, it would've been absolutely life-changing. We all know a large over-the-door mirror is an absolute essential for every freshman, but this one that opens up into jewelry and cosmetic storage is next-level. My desk had fully turned into my getting-ready space by my first Thanksgiving break, and if I'd had this extra storage space, I would've probably actually had room to study.
Made from: Fabric and steel
Size: H56" x W7.5" x D14"
This is the exact closet organizer I used for every single year of college, and I cannot recommend it enough. Whether you're studying in California or Canada, this fabric shelving unit is ideal for storing scarves, knitwear, bags, shorts, and swimwear. It has a hook for your favorite hat, and is also fully collapsible for easy moving from one dorm room to the next, taking up minimal space in your suitcase or car. Plus, the neutral color palette means it'll always go with your changing taste in decor over the years.
Made from: Cotton canvas
Size: 19"W x 10.2"H x 3.1"D
If there's one thing I'd recommend doing if you're able to, it's lofting your bed. A dorm doesn't exactly have a lot of floor space, so working vertically is your best bet when it comes to maximizing room for storage. But it also comes with the struggle of having to climb out of bed for a middle of the night drink. This adorable bedside caddy hangs from the side of your bed and has space for your phone, Airpods, lip balm, and water bottle. Plus, the boho vibes are immaculate.
Made of: Sustainably sourced bamboo
Size: 14.8"W x 11.1"H x 3.62"D
If you love the idea of a bedside caddy but you're more of a hot beverage fan than a water bottle drinker (gorgeous gorgeous girls drink herbal tea every night), this clip-on bedside shelf is ideal. It's made of sustainably sourced bamboo, and is also available in neutral wood finishes. The BedShelfie is also amazing solution for a bed at regular height that doesn't have space for a nightstand next to it.
Made from: Plastic
Size: 11.81"L x 7.87"W x 6.1"H
This cute little lavender pastel crate isn't just perfect for organizing your toiletries in an aesthetic way. It also has pop up handles to turn it into a shower caddy (mind = blown). This fully collapsible organizer has serious countertop appeal, and can function as a piece of decor bringing color into your space even when it's not in use in the bathroom. It's also perfectly coordinated to the rest of the Felix crates from Urban Outfitters and would match the iconic HAY crates as well, which you can mix, match, and stack to your heart's content.
Made from: Acrylic
Size: 9.5"W x 14.25"H x 6.25"D
Popping this gorgeous organizer in a corner on your desk keeps the getting-ready chaos and clutter to a minimum, and means you can easily see where your makeup is when you're rushing to a night out after an evening class. It's available in a range of tinted acrylic tones and adorable patterns, meaning you can coordinate perfectly to your bedding, decor, and dorm color scheme.
Made of: Clear PEVA
Size: 19"L x 72-1/2" H
Whether you're arriving to your dorm with a zillion pairs of shoes or just a few, I promise this over-the-door shoe organizer is a must-have. It's obviously amazing for storing and displaying all of your shoes, but it's also beyond versatile. I only had about five or six pairs of shoes my freshman year, but made use of the rest of the spaces for my leggings, pajama sets, and socks. Plus, I kept my co-ords together, working row by row to create a neat and efficient system for finding my early morning outfits with minimal effort.
Made from: Steel
Size: 12-1/2"W x 4-1/4"L x 3" H
This little blush pink shelf has a magnetic back that can be stuck onto your mini fridge, creating an extra shelving space that's perfect for any non-perishable snacks and drinks you love. It'd be ideal to store your boxes of tea, instant coffee or hot chocolate, Nutella or favorite nut butter, and any bags of snacks or Oreos you might want easy access to during a late-night study session.
Made from: Acrylic
Size: 15" x 12" x 6" in total
Okay, these may not be the most glam organizers but they are practical and will be beyond useful, trust. Mix and match the different shapes and sizes to create your ideal layout in your desk drawers, giving yourself some much-needed structure to organize your school supplies, cosmetics, hair ties, and whatever goes into your junk drawer. We love how versatile this set is, and that it can be adjusted to different drawer sizes depending on what your school provides in your dorm room.