September is upon us, which for better or worse means a lot of us are either headed back to school or just about to begin college! And with the return to college comes with it all the packing, planning, and moving that everyone totally looks forward to, right? If you’re going to find yourself living in a dorm this year, we can’t help much with the actual packing, but we can provide a checklist of things to consider before you move in to make the process (hopefully) a little smoother!
Know Who You’re Living With
If you’re already fortunate enough to have selected your BFF as your roommate for the year, getting ahold of them to coordinate what you’re both bringing along will come in handy! Try to contact your roommate before the move-in date to find out what they’re bringing along so you know what kind of space you’ll have to work with and what kind of organizational supplies you’ll have to bring with you. And hey, if you’re feeling adventurous, maybe you could even coordinate what to bring for decorations - if you’re going to have to see a poster of your least-favorite baseball team on the wall all year, it would at least be nice to be warned ahead of time, right? It's also a good idea to keep important items secure since you'll probably be having lots of visitors. A mini locker with a lock will help keep your mind at ease, and it works great as a night stand, too!
Know How Much Space You’re Working With
Dorms are different for every college, and might even vary from building to building on campus. Try to find out what the dimensions of your dorm room will be before you move in so you know what you might need to bring with you as far as furniture and organization are concerned. Smaller rooms can benefit really well from more vertical storage options like over-the-bed shelving to make the most of height without taking up a lot of floor room or mounting anything to a wall. If you’re lucky enough to get a closet in your dorm (hey, not all of us did!) you might want to consider some over-the-door storage to keep your floor free of clutter.
Know What You’re Taking With You
This might sound a little obvious - after all, you’re the one doing the packing, right? - but planning ahead what you’re bringing and how much room it will take up is always good thinking when it comes to making the most of your space. Figure out how much room you’ll need for your TV or your computer, get a good idea of the sizes of the desks and chairs you’re taking with you, and so on - once you find out how much extra space you’re going to have, you’ll have a much easier time designing and decorating!
Follow these tips and you should find yourself fully prepared for decorating and organizing your dorm room! Once you’re actually in class, though, you’re on your own - we’re happy to help with shelving and organizing, but we can’t do your homework for you. Good luck out there, and enjoy the school year!
