Organize + Energize: Moving into a Dorm Room? Here are 10 Things You Need to do to Prepare

Monday, August 17, 2015

Kristin MacRae, GoLocalPDX Organizing Expert

Dorm room

Time to declutter the dorm room.

If dorm room living teaches you anything, it will teach you how to become a minimalist. It will teach you that you really don’t need as much as you think you need. It’s definitely going to be a challenge if you are transitioning from a large bedroom with great living space to a small dorm room. Make this transition become a fun adventure and an opportunity to utilize your creative skills.

There are some things you will need to do to prepare for your move into a dorm. If you are getting ready to move into a dorm room, here are 10 things you need to do to prepare for your transition:

View your new space. If it’s available, get the layout and measurements of your dorm space. You’ll be ahead of the game and you’ll be able to think about how you want to function in your new space. If you acquire the layout and measurements, you’ll be able to start space planning.

Take inventory of your bedroom and current living space. Go through your entire room and declutter. When was the last time you actually took everything out of your closet? When was the last time you took inventory of everything in your room? This is the time to do it. Give your room an overhaul and get this room declutterd and organized before you move.

Downsize. Once you’ve decluttered and organized your living space, it’s now time to think about what you want to bring with you to your dorm. It’s going to be much easier to pack from a decluttered and organized room.

Make your list. Grab a pen and paper and jot down everything you will need to purchase for your dorm room. Take a look at the items you are going to bring with you and think about how you want to contain those items in your dorm room.

Maximize space. Once you make your list, it’s time to think about which organizing solutions are going to best fit what you need to hold. You want to be able to maximize the space in your dorm room.

Think about functionality. You want to have a great flow to your room. You want to be as efficient as possible. Think about how you will be grabbing items and how often you will be using them. Create a flow. It’s ok if you want to switch it up once you start living with it in the dorm room. Once you get in, work with the flow and you can always switch it up.

Get creative. When you are living in a small space you really need to get creative. Utilize wall space, space under the bed, and behind doors. Think about using vertical storage. Use under the bed storage for things you don’t use that often.

Purchase the correct organizing solutions. Too often, people waste money on organizing solutions because they didn’t prepare. If you are reading this article, you are one step ahead of everybody else. Measure the space, think about what you have to hold, and then think about how you want to function and then purchase the best organizing solution to fit your needs.

Utilize a calendar. A calendar will be your best friend during the few months before you transition to your new space. You will have so much to remember that it’s going to be easier to clear your mind and the mental clutter and keep important dates in your calendar.

Keep a to-do list. Along with your calendar, you’ll want to keep a to-do list handy. Again, getting the mental clutter out of your head and onto paper will reduce stress, and will allow you to keep track of things you need to tackle.

When you are packing everything, remember to pack in an organized fashion. Keep like items together and label everything. It will make for a smooth transition and a stress-free move if everything is packed in an organized fashion. Unpacking and getting organized in your new space will be a breeze if you are organized.

Kristin Carcieri-MacRae, the founder and owner of Organizing in RI, has always enjoyed finding creative ways to streamline the environment around her. She has appeared on air on Patricia Raskin's Positive Business Radio and her articles have been published in the Rhode Island Small Business Journal and New England Home Life. Kristin's CD, Organizing Basics, is a 1-hour guide for the person who wants to get organized but doesn't know where to start. She is also available for organizing workshops. Tune into her weekly radio show, Organize, Energize! on talkstreamradio.com.

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