Here you will be able to find even more products and tips this pro recommends for those heading off to dorm life! 

A great use for these is to add storage under the bed  or at the bottom of a closet. These drawers can create extra space to store clothes, food, and other items, they are easy to move-in/move-out, you can store items in when the semester is over, and they're available in many different sizes, can accommodate any size dorm. The only downsides is that they are usually made of plastic, can break over time, especially if you store heavy items, and they cannot be overpacked. The benefits to me far outweigh the negative and they are an affordable way to gain even more storage. 

For obvious reasons, colleges do not allow you to put holes in the wall, with the invention of Command hook/strips you can put up hooks, posters, pictures, and even small shelves with these removable strips. They are also easy to use, have a wide variety of weights they can hold, and come in a variety of options. The key when removing them is to be careful and slow, so that they do not rip paint off. In addition, with most dorms being constructed with cinder-block walls, sometimes they do not always stay for long periods of time, depending on the weight you are adding to the hook itself. It still is the easiest and most effective way to add some hooks, pictures, posters, etc, to your dorm room walls! 

Drawer Organizers are great because you can effectively use all the space in your drawers and also create zones for clothing items, office supplies, or even organize food items & electronics. They do require some commitment to maintain the order but defining spaces within your dorm will allow you to know how many items you can have. Plus it makes putting things a way a breeze!  

I honestly went too long before I discovered this one. The benefit this creates is it doubles as a hamper and makes getting your laundry to the laundry room much easier. The only downside is you can't roll it down the stairs but you can just pick it up. As another tip, I always found the best times to actually do laundry are early in the morning (before everyone wakes up) or super late at night. 

Dorm beds come in a few options, some you can loft so high it is like having a bunk bed, while others only go as high as to stuff some things underneath. Bed risers allow you to get a few more inches of space, so that you can store more underneath your bed. In one dorm, I was able to store my college provided dresser, my trunk, another 3 drawer storage unit, and my shoe rack. The other benefit is that you can find risers with outlets, so that if your bed is blocking any you can still use them! 

As I have said throughout this series, I am a former dorm dweller, though it has been a while since I have lived in a dorm there are a few things to this day I still feel are the best decisions I made. 

• Store-Pick Up- When I was going to college only one store had store pick-up in any location which was Bed, Bath, & Beyond. Since then almost every store has it. To reduce the amount of items you have to haul from your house, order items you need at a store near your college, then pick them up when you are done moving in all your stuff. Saves time and effort! 
• Dorm Insurance- This one is a lifesaver! When I plugged my computer into a dorm outlet and fried it, having dorm insurance allowed me to get a brand new computer with very little out-of-pocket insurance. The cost is pretty low and it protects everything you have from theft, damage, and sometimes even loss. College will usually put the provider they work with in your welcome package. 
• Customization- Being away from home, some for the first time, can be hard. Customizing your side of the dorm with photos, posters, artwork, can help you feel like you have a space of your own. This is important when you are feeling homesick or pulling an all-nighter and need some comfort. 
• Bring your own Fridge- Many colleges offer fridge rentals and though they may seem convenient you are going to end up paying way more in the long run than just getting your own fridge. Plus, you don't have to worry about the long list of conditions the fridge needs to be returned in. 

I hope you enjoyed all these tips and tricks from a former dorm dweller turned organizing pro! 

​As a former dorm dweller, I can attest the worst part is moving in and out of a dorm. By the time I had reached the end of my sophomore year I was done with the arduous process of move-in/ move-out weekend. I do have to say one weapon I had in my arsenal was being organized. Now that I organize professionally, I have complied a list with my favorite products and a few tips that will hopefully help your move-in weekend go off without a hitch! 
The market for dorm specific products is rapidly growing, some of those products are great and others are not. After doing all the market research (my own college experience), I have complied 2 lists of products and tips that will hopefully help you move-in weekend go off without a hitch!