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Successful dorm living is all about creatively using the space they’re given. While we love the idea of decorating a dorm to reflect your college student’s personality and make the room feel like a true home away from home (the homesickness can be real!), even more practical is investing in smart dorm storage solutions to store belongings properly, keep them organized, and ultimately make the college dorm living experience a complete breeze.
We combed through our favorite retailers to purchase dorm storage items for the best options money can buy, looking at user-friendliness, durability, and how well each item can fit within a college student’s budget (and cramped dorm room). From clear stackable storage bins with leak-proof lids to hanging storage that provides more closet space, here are our favorite dorm storage ideas to check off their packing list.
Pro Tip: Before you buy one thing, gather as much advice about your teen’s dorm room from the Resident Life section of the college website. If your teen knows which dorm they’ll live in, look for a list of dorm items provided AND measurements, especially for the space below the bed. Make sure you plan for that space to maximize that valuable “real estate” there.
Do you have the (free) Grown and Flown Off-to-College Checklist? It Includes important financial, health and wellness, and legal things to check off your list before your teen leaves home. Download it here.
Reviews of the Best Dorm Storage Items
1. Best Ottoman Storage: Ornavo Small Storage Ottoman (Amazon)
Ottoman storage is a must-have for both style and functionality. We highly recommend this easy storage essential to provide a seating option or makeshift coffee table that allows one to conceal clutter in a flash. It collapses into a neat stack for ultimate storage and portability on move-in day, and they’ll love the soothing colorways that make it easy to incorporate into any dorm décor.
2. Best Under-Bed Storage: Iris Under Bed Drawer (Amazon)
Make intelligent use of oft-forgotten space by investing in this handy and practical under-bed storage we love from Iris. It glides smoothly for easy operation, features a transparent material so they can quickly identify belongings, and it’s stackable for perfect placement whether under the bed or in a closet. It’s the ideal storage solution for all seasonal items they won’t need year-round, from bulky winter jackets to heaps of swimsuits.
3. Best Storage Bags: IKEA Frakta Bags – 2 Pack (Amazon)
This hassle-free storage solution is a perfect way to store bulky and heavy items to move in and out of the dorm room. It has a load-bearing capacity of 55 pounds, making it an excellent option for books, boots, coats, and more. Its zippered closure compresses items within the bag, holding more than meets the eye. You can grab them by the handles for convenient transport, similar to a duffle bag.
4. Best Shower Storage: EUDELE Mesh Shower Caddy Portable for College Dorm Room Essentials (Amazon)
It doesn’t get more practical for everyday use than this classic shower caddy with a large main compartment plus 8 side pockets for organized storage of toiletries and accessories. The breathable mesh design allows quick drying and easy cleaning, while the sturdy handle makes it easy to hang. Ideal for dorms, gyms and travel.
5. Best Utility Cart: Max Hauser Slim Cart (Amazon)
With its portable construction and three tiers for easy organization, this popular utility cart is *wheely* useful in virtually every room. It has a slim build that fits neatly into tight spaces. Available in black and white.
6. Best Bedside Storage: Zafit Bedside Storage Organizer (Amazon)
Whether they’re lacking a nightstand or have one that’s too far out of arm’s reach, they’ll love having this bedside storage organizer by their side. It slips (and stays!) right under their mattress, giving them quick access to a phone, book, tablet, charger, or other essentials. Bonus: It also works with sofa cushions.
7. Best Desk Storage: Deco Brothers Desk Organizer (Amazon)
An organized desk is an organized mind. Help them make the most out of exam cramming sessions with this handy wire mesh desk organizer featuring seven open compartments.
8. Best Laundry Hamper: Dalykate Backpack Laundry Bag with Shoulder Straps (Amazon)
Lugging around a heavy hamper can lead to back pain. Opt for this handy backpack laundry bag that evenly distributes weight across the back. It supports up to 44 pounds, features a drawstring with a cord lock to keep laundry contained, and has an inner zippered pocket to organize belongings. It’s the perfect solution if they have to walk several blocks or take a few flights of stairs to do laundry. Available in many colors.
9. Best Drawer Storage: IRIS USA 6 Quart Stacking Storage Drawer, 4-Pack (Amazon)
If there’s one thing a dorm room can benefit from, it’s a set of drawer storage cubes. This pack of four can be arranged under the bed, against a wall like a chest of drawers, in a closet out of sight, or wherever their space needs a little extra tidiness. Thanks to their transparent design, they’ll easily be able to identify items they use daily or keep in storage seasonally.
10. Best Stackable Storage: Sterilite 25-Quart Garage Tote – 6 Pack (Amazon)
Store bulkier items like books, linens, and coats easily in these 25-quart plastic storage bins. Their straightforward design allows quick identification of what’s inside, and their stackable construction with grippy and grooved lids makes them easy to store and transport if you buy more than one. The buckle latch keeps the lid secure while the pull handle at the base makes them easy to retrieve from anywhere in a dorm room.
Note: This pack of 6 is probably more than your teen needs but keep some at home for yourself.
11. Best Bed Shelf: BedShelfie Bedside Shelf (Amazon)
Have all the necessities within arm’s reach with the popular Bedshelfie bedside shelf. It clamps seamlessly onto the bed frame for an impromptu nightstand, whether they’re in a lofted bed or the top bunk. It holds up to 35 pounds worth of belongings like a tablet, phone, or mug of sleepy tea, is made of sustainably sourced bamboo in multiple colors, and comes with tool-free installation.
12. Best Closet Organizer: YOUDENOVA Hanging Closet Organizer and Storage (Amazon)
If you need more space for folded items…this is great for the closet and there are many colors to choose from.
13. Best Desk Organizer: Jerry & Maggie Desktop Organizer Office Storage Rack Adjustable Wood Display Shelf (Amazon)
An adjustable desktop bookshelf that helps organize and maximize workspace, with up to five configurations for use as a bookshelf, vanity organizer, or décor shelf. Available in multiple colors, it suits spaces, from dorms to offices. It’s easy to assemble.
14. Best Mini Fridge Stand: EazeHome Mini Fridge Stand (Amazon)
Get even more storage with this sturdy mobile fridge stand with a durable steel frame and metal top that supports up to 120 lbs. Two fabric drawers for extra kitchen storage and it’s equipped with 360° swivel wheels (with brakes) for mobility and stability, it’s easy to clean, simple to assemble, and helps keep your space clutter-free and organized.
15. More Under Bed Storage: IRIS USA 50 Qt Plastic Under Bed Storage (Amazon)
IRIS USA 40 Qt. storage bins are durable, clear containers designed for under-bed storage. Their slim, space-saving design fits tight areas, while secure latching lids keep items clean and protected. Ideal for clothes, linens, and seasonal items, they make it easy to store and quickly locate belongings.
Why You Can Trust Us
To develop this dorm storage list, we considered reviews, research, and what over 300,000 parents in our Facebook group say are the most-used storage items in their kids’ dorms. We researched each product for value, user-friendliness, and durability to ensure each dorm storage item withstands the test of time and heavy use, relying on both reviews and parent testimonies.
What Are the Best Dorm Storage Ideas?
The best dorm storage makes intelligent use of the limited space college students tend to have during their college experience, from collapsible and adjustable hangers to rolling caddies that allow easy transportation of belongings from one room to another.
Storage shouldn’t be challenging, so we highlight several ideas that take up limited space when not in use. These types of storage are also easier to transport than their heavier counterparts. This isn’t to say we don’t love a stackable moment — crystal-clear bins that stack easily on top of one another are one of our favorite dorm storage ideas since you can organize them under the bed while still being able to identify what’s stored inside.
Prices were accurate at the time of publication.
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