WordofMany

Dorm organization hacks

7 easy dorm room cleaning and organization tips

By Sarah Lee

Published: 02 May 2025

Hey everyone! So, my first dorm room? Let's just say it was less 'organized oasis' and more 'organized chaos.' Seriously, I'm talking ramen noodle wrappers under the bed – don't judge, we've all been there! But after a few weeks of near-meltdown, I figured out some super easy ways to keep my space clean and actually find stuff. And that's what I'm sharing with you today – seven tips so you can avoid my freshman year disaster. Let's dive in!

cluttered dorm room | Image: Supplied

1. The Power of the 5-Minute Tidy

This isn't about a deep clean; it's about preventing a massive mess. Set a timer for five minutes and tackle one small area. Make your bed, toss trash, put away stray clothes – anything! You'd be surprised how much you can accomplish in a short burst. It's so much less daunting than a full-on cleaning session, and this quick tidying prevents a massive pile-up that will be harder to deal with in the long-run!

student tidying up dorm room | Image: Supplied

2. Under-the-Bed Storage: It's a Thing!

Seriously, the space under your bed is prime real estate. I used clear storage bins – you can find them super cheap at Target – to store my off-season clothes and extra blankets. Plus, because they're clear, I can easily see what's inside without having to dig through everything. This also prevents items from getting lost and forgotten for a whole semester! No more 'What was in that box I put under there?' moments!

dorm room under bed storage | Image: Supplied

3. Desk Organization: Conquer the Chaos!

My desk was the biggest disaster zone in my dorm room. Papers everywhere! So, I got a desk organizer. Not only did it look cute, but it helped me separate my school supplies and keep my notes from turning into a huge mess. You can find tons of options, from simple trays to multi-compartment organizers, depending on your style and needs. If you are not into buying new stuff, repurposing some boxes, or asking your family for old containers they no longer use, will do the trick as well!

organized dorm room desk | Image: Supplied

4. Wall Space: Use It Wisely!

Don't forget about your walls! I used over-the-door organizers for shoes and even hung some shelves to give myself extra storage space. This freed up precious floor space and kept everything visible and within reach. And who doesn't love extra storage space?

dorm room wall storage | Image: Supplied

5. Laundry: Don't Let It Pile Up (Seriously!)

This is probably the most important part. I'm not gonna lie; sometimes my laundry pile looked like Mount Washmore. But I started doing a small load of laundry every few days to stop that mountain from growing. Doing this helped keep my room clean and smell good, instead of the alternative!

student doing laundry | Image: Supplied

6. Closet Organization Hacks

I used those space-saving vacuum bags for bulky sweaters and off-season clothes. I also folded my clothes vertically instead of stacking them – this made it SO much easier to see everything and find what I needed. It's a game-changer! And it saves so much space. Trust me.

organized dorm room closet | Image: Supplied

7. Regular Purge: Declutter Often

This one may seem obvious, but make it a habit. I set aside 15 minutes every Sunday to get rid of trash, donate or sell unneeded items, and put everything back in its place. This prevented my room from getting cluttered again. Consistency is key!