Think closet organizers, under-the-bed storage, shoe racks, storage baskets, and decorative key and wall hooks. The Shop at Clares team has decades of experience with trying to get the most space out of little dorm rooms!  To prepare yourself for this venture, we recommend that you move into your home closet for about four weeks prior to arriving at school.  We promise that this will help make your dorm room seem HUGE.

First and foremost...you can't take it all. Don't even try! Pack light and only the bare necessities. If you have a laptop, rather than a desktop computer, then you are even further a head in the space game.  However, the ultimate solution for extra dorm space is bed risers that allow for extra storage underneath your bed.  Corrugated plastic storage boxes are a durable and colorful way to store your sweaters, jeans, and shoes under your bed, while keeping them neat, clean and easily accessible. If you are lucky enough to have a loft bed, several of these boxes can be stacked on top of each other.

Clothing...Only bring the clothing for the current season with you. Switch out shorts for sweaters when you go home for the holidays, but if you have to store clothes at school then vacuum storage bags are the answer. These can be stored in the closet on a shelf or on the floor, or even under the bed.
 
Shoes...hanging pocket organizers, under the bed boxes, revolving shoe trees, stacking shoe racks are many of the several types of shoe storage solutions. Flip flops and Crocs do well when thrown in a box, such as the corrugated storage boxes we mentioned earlier, and will also fit neatly in pocket shoe organizers or on stacking shoe racks. The amount of closet space you have will determine which type of shoe organizer is needed.  

Accessories...Note that pocket shoe organizers and hanging pocket organizers are great for storing fashion accessories, such as scrunchies, scarves and belts. Also, a hanging pocket jewelry organizer takes up less space than a jewelry box and gives you easy access to your earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. When heading home or traveling, just pack the whole organizer - your jewelry will stay in place and be ready to hang up at your destination.

Wall space...make use of this for things other than posters and pictures! Wall hooks for keys, towels, and clothing can be mounted without putting holes in the wall, thanks to adhesive mounting products. Not only will these hooks add some color to your wall space, they will help to de-clutter your living space.

After you graduate and get your first real job, all of these space saving and organizing ideas will easily transition to an apartment...which is another story in itself.