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A classic binder<\/a> and dividers<\/a> are awesome for organizing your dorm supply list into manageable chunks and labels<\/a> are essential for organizing items.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n 1) Start your supply list before graduation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We might have surprised you with our suggestion to start planning dorm organization before high school graduation. But, there are two great reasons you should start planning early. Firstly, it will help stretch your back-to-school budget. Secondly, it will allow your grad to enjoy their last summer before college. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To explain further, if you know what your student will need ahead of time you can request supplies as graduation gifts. You can even set up a graduation registry, which is totally a thing!<\/a> This can be a huge budget saver. Especially when it comes to expensive items like electronics and dorm appliances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aside from budget, just the sheer amount of stuff your kid will need can be overwhelming. We love this comprehensive college checklist<\/a> because they’ve organized it by categories. Planning early gives you plenty of time to shop and organize dorm supplies by category to make it more manageable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nShop Planning Supplies<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2) Gather basic dorm organization supplies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
First, shop and\/or gather storage containers that you can simply pack and move into the dorm. For instance, plastic stackable bins. Rolling under-bed storage and plastic storage towers with drawers also spring to mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, stock up on cardboard boxes, packing tape and labels. Printable labels by the sheet<\/a> are great for making personalized storage container labels and ID labels for personal supplies. Shipping labels<\/a>, and small 4″ x 6″ sheets of hand-writable and color-coding labels<\/a> are ideal for organizing dorm boxes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In contrast, don’t worry about packing materials like bubble wrap or newspaper. Save money and space by the using linens, pillows and clothes you’ll need to pack anyways. Instead, put that money towards more dorm storage. For example, cube storage, hanging closet storage, and over-the-door organizers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Waterproof labels<\/a> and <\/em>self-laminating labels<\/a> are great to ID items that get a lot of wear and tear. <\/em>Clear film labels<\/a> personalize storage with a printed-on look.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n 3) Label dorm supplies before packing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Labeling supplies is one of the easiest dorm organization tasks you and your student can do at home. Whether it’s clothing, school supplies, or personal items, labeling before your grad ever sets foot on campus has two benefits. One, it keeps like items together. Two, labels squash roommate squabbles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, labeling your kid’s stuff can actually help them get along better with their new dorm roommate! Firstly, labeled items are easier to identify, so it’s less likely that roommates grab them on accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Secondly, labeling your items sets clear boundaries. Imagine the inevitable, “Hey, you borrowed my thing and I’d rather you don’t do that,” conversation. It will be much easier for your student if which items belong to whom is clear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Circling back to keeping like items together, the benefits are again, twofold. Keeping like items together makes it easier to organize when moving in. It also makes it easier to round up personal belongings when moving out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
4) Pack items with dorm organization in mind<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
After you’ve labeled your student’s items, the next step at home is packing items as though you were storing them. That is to say, don’t just stuff boxes and containers randomly, sort and organize items before you pack them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This saves a ton of time (and headaches) when it comes time to actually unpack on moving day. Moving in will already be a busy, tiring day. Don’t add pressure by expecting to fully organize everything in the dorm room on the spot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In fact, packing strategically can even be a bit of a shortcut. Most importantly, don’t take any empty bins or storage drawers. Any permanent storage container (plastic bins, rolling drawer carts, stacking drawers, etc.) can double as packing. Label, fill and organize those types of storage containers at home before you ever leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pro Tip:<\/strong> Looking for labels that won't ruin plastic storage? Our Surface Safe\u2122 ID labels are designed to stick securely and remove cleanly from both smooth and textured hard plastics. <\/pre>\n\n\n\n
\nShop Surface Safe ID LAbels<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vertical storage is one of the best ways to maximize space in a dorm room. Use Surface Safe ID labels for plastic storage and no-iron fabric labels<\/a> for collapsible canvas storage.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n 5) How to organize a college dorm closet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Since it can be hard to plan for exact closet dimensions before arriving, pack modular space-saving items. That way you can make use of every inch of space on move-in day. Particularly vertical space and extra space above and below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For instance, vertical closet storage like hanging closet drawers and space-saver hangers. Or, collapsible cube storage for high shelf storage and stackable bins for storage at the bottom of the closet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When filling the dorm closet, start by only hanging necessary clothing. Organize casual clothes in drawers, cubbies or bins and store seasonal clothes in under-bed storage until needed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, fill any leftover closet space with linens, towels, accessories, toiletries, household supplies or anything else that will fit. Once there’s “a place for everything, and everything in it’s place,” label where everything goes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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