12 Ways to Maximize a Tiny Dorm Room—Without Blowing Your Budget

Lift-Top Coffee Table

Want to have coffee while you fire off a term paper, but also need a place to keep extra towels or blankets? The key to small space decorating is finding pieces that do double duty, says James Wheeler of Atlanta-based J. Wheeler Designs. He recommends a lift-top coffee table for its functionality as a workspace and storage unit. It can even serve as a dinner table.

Magazine File

Deborah Gussoff, certified professional organizer and owner of In Order, Inc., loves the versatile storage options of magazine files. Their vertical format is great for small spaces, and they come in lots of colors.

If your desk hutch has a bookshelf on top, line up a few of them to hide odds and ends. She also recommends putting one by the door for an easy place to drop keys and other small items that would otherwise clutter the room.

Closet Tools

For many new college students, dorm life comes with a big dose of clothing insecurity—which is why it's comforting to bring as many options as possible. But how do you fit years of carefully curated outfits into that tiny dorm closet?

One dorm space-saver is to hang a closet rod to instantly double the capacity, and then add ultra slim hangers to maximize the number of items to fit in that space. Just like that, you don't have to part with your parents and your beloved overalls at the same time.

Bed Risers

A typical dorm room bed takes up nearly 7 feet of horizontal space. Just imagine how much you can fit under there if you lift the bed 4 or 5 inches off the ground!

Abbe Fenimore, owner of Studio Ten 25, a Dallas-based interior design firm and ecommerce site, recommends these tech-friendly risers that moonlight as additional outlets and USB chargers as one of her go-to space saving dorm ideas.

Under Bed Cart

Speaking of under bed storage; once you've stowed extra towels, out-of-season clothes, and dirty laundry; you'll have plenty of room for a rolling cart or drawer under the bed. This way, important things (like emergency junk food) are always in reach.

Lifestyle blogger Lauren Gores Ireland recommends a plastic container for its easy cleaning properties; because something will (inevitably) spill. This one's on wheels, comes in a 6-pack, and is transparent, so you don't have to guess what's where.

Over-the-Door Shoe Organizer

Sure, you could fit plenty of footwear into a lightweight organizer like this, but where's the fun in that? Gores suggests you get creative and use it as a hold-all for rolled T-shirts, clutches, and even umbrellas. It's an easy way to free up valuable drawer real estate and maximize dorm space.

Storage Ottoman

Taking double-duty to the next level, ottomans add storage and double as seating. When not in use, Fenimore suggests sliding them under the desk or stacking them in a corner to save floor space. To save even more, top with a similarly sized tray to use as a bedside table.

Room Divider

Creating different zones in a room makes it feel bigger and more organized, says Wheeler. This tiered shelving unit doubles as a room divider, providing extra storage without blocking light. For antisocial folks or those not overly fond of their roommates, simply fill the cubes with books or fabric bins to create much-needed separation.

Command Hooks

To maximize dorm space, the right combination of Command hooks can open up a lot of opportunities—beyond simply mounting pictures. For example, attach Command hooks to the ceiling and hang a curtain around the bed to create a private nook. Or add a go-to spot to hang your backpack on the wall, clearing up your (probably messy) floor.

Bed Organizer

Getting the top bunk means being far away from your essentials. And who wants to climb every time you need headphones, a tissue, or a snack? This sleek footboard caddy is a great space-saving dorm idea, and convenient even if your bed is on the floor.

Stackable Laundry Basket

Instead of a clunky laundry bag taking up space in your floor or closet, choose this laundry basket you can stack and fold up when you're not using it. Win-win!

Organizing Cart

For organizing everyday items—think pencils, makeup, hairbrush, papers—this colorful find is one of the easiest space-saving dorm ideas. Stow it in the corner, move it around to get ready in front of the mirror, and then push it back when you're finished.