Decorated? ✓ Organized? ✓ Awesome? ✓✓
Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed
1. Organize your plugs using washi tape.
Choose a different style of tape for each of your devices and apply it to both ends of the plugs: this way you’ll never accidentally unplug your roommate’s computer when you meant to unplug your own.
Learn more at Shaken Together.
2. Build a cork storage box for your desk.
Store supplies on the inside, store reminders on the outside.
Get the tutorial at Sugar and Cloth.
3. Purchase collapsible, space-saving extra seating.
Have a guest? Unfold a chair. As soon as they leave, fold it back up again and shove it under your bed. Repeat as necessary.
4. Add tassels to your bedskirt.
After making the tassels, simply tape them to the top of the bedskirt (the tape gets hidden by the mattress).
Get the tutorial at Tatertots & Jello.
5. Or purchase a bedskirt organizer.
Fill it with shoes, books, snacks, and other accessories. It isn’t the most attractive thing in the world, but you can just cover it up with your comforter.
Get one here.
6. Fir more clothing into your small wardrobe using soda can tabs.
Hangers on hangers on hangers.
7. Pin notes and pictures to DIY fruit-shaped bulletin boards.
A fruit salad for your wall.
Get the tutorial at Tell Love and Chocolate.
8. Or print out some free fruit wall art.
All you have to do is download the file at Sugar and Cloth and print it out in the size of your choice. If you want a poster-sized version, just bring the JPG file to a store that offers printing services (like Staples).
9. Pin paint chips to a cork board to make a colorful and cheap calendar.
When your plans change, just replace a day with a new paint chip.
Get the tutorial at Say Yes.
13. Washi tape’s also great for concealing unfinished furniture edges.
No one wants to look at particle board.
Get the tutorial at A Girl and a Glue Gun.
14. Keep your overflowing underwear drawer under control with dividers.
They make such a difference.
Learn more at Atypical Type A and buy some dividers here (or make your own).
15. Cover your futon with comfy pillows you’ve decorated with paint.
Impress everyone with your artistry.
Get the tutorial at Sarah Hearts.
16. While you have the paint out, make some matching curtains.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
17. Need some extra storage space? Set up a wire shelving unit over your bed.
Construct it over the foot of your bed. Set your laptop on one of the shelves, start up Netflix, and relax.
Just be sure to buy one wide enough to fit your bed between the bars (twin beds = 39 inches wide).
18. Make a wall organizer to hang above your desk.
This one is very simple to make and you can paint it with a design that matches your duvet cover.
Get the tutorial at A Bubbly Life.
19. Cross stitch mesh office organizational supplies.
The bland file and pen folders you found on sale at Staples will look so much cooler with some yarn woven in.
Get the tutorial at Camille Styles.
20. Raise your bed with lifts featuring USB and power outlets.
It would be cheaper to use cinderblocks, but a cinderblock can’t charge your phone.
Get them here.
21. Keep plastic utensils and paper plates in an over-the-fridge caddy.
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Any way to make eating easier…
Buy one here.
22. Fit more bottles into your fridge using a binder clip.
A soda, beer, or juice pyramid that won’t fall.
24. Overhead lighting sucks—be sure to bring your own floor and desk lamps.
Dorm lighting sets one mood = an awful one.
25. Make shimmering gold versions of your initials to place on a shelf.
If you and your roommate share a similar sense of style, you could whip up their initials as well.
Get the tutorial at Fall For DIY.
26. Did you get stuck with the top bunk? You’re going to want a shelf.
Use it as a nightstand.
Get one here.
27. Festoon your wall with a DIY gemstone garland.
Get the tutorial at Tell Love and Chocolate (if you’re not feeling crafty, there are plenty of cool and inexpensive garlands on Etsy).
28. Purchase a paper planner to use in addition to Google Calendar (or whatever app you have on your phone).
It can be helpful (and strangely satisfying) to actually write things down using a pen.
These planners are fun to doodle on and come in four sizes.
29. Is your room basically a sauna? Build a DIY air conditioner.
It really works.
It really works.
Get the tutorial here.
30. Stitch together a pennant pillow to put on your futon.
Kyle Michaels for abeautifulmess.com/03/pennant-pillow-diy.html
Can’t sew? Hunt down someone who does and tell them that making you one would be an excellent dorm-warming present.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
31. Try to keep your room free from dirt using a DIY welcome mat customized with a fun phrase.
Wandering around the dorm searching for the community vacuum is a pain in the ass; try to keep the things you’d need to vacuum from accumulating.
Get the tutorial at I Spy DIY.
32. Most dorm rooms don’t come with full-length mirrors: buy one you can hang over your door.
Perfect for checking out your outfit before heading to class.
Get one here.
33. Use a shower caddy to store so much more than just shampoo.
School supplies, make-up, food…
34. Make a stack of no sew floor pillows for visitors to sit on.
Perfect for lounging on while watching 8 episodes of The Gilmore Girls on Netflix.
Get the tutorial at AKA Design.
35. Purchase laundry bags that make sorting easy.
A bag for whites, a bag for darks, and a bag “for mom.” Sorry, mom.
Get them here.
36. Turn your favorite Instagram photos into magnets for your mini fridge.
After you make them, post a picture of the magnets on Instagram to complete the circle.
Get the tutorial at The Surznick Common Room.
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