With only a few outlets in each dorm room and multiple appliances, your roommate and you will rely on powerstrips. Not only can they get in the way, they can

look messy, so making your own power strip cover out of a shoebox or photo box is very creative!

This all-in-one cover allows you to hide the power strip and organize the cables. If you don't want to make your own power strip cover you can purchase one!

When all of your cords are the same color you might accidentally remove the wrong one when you are trying to switch it out. If you label them it'll be easier to see

what's what. Also, if your roommate is sharing a powerstrip with you, it'll be easy to differentiate which cords are yours!

You can label your cords and cover up the power strips on the floor but they can still get tangled on your desk. Use binder clips with labels for all

the charger cables from your phone to your laptop!

Most dorm spaces come with a few pieces of furniture: a bed, desk with a hutch, and dresser, and on top of that you have to share the closet with another

person. This is not nearly enough space to place your belongings but if you arrange your room just right, you can fit in a little set of drawers or a

makeshift nightstand. Getting a small cart from Ikea and placing items on it such as a clock, nail polish box, or photo frames will make the room a little more

homey and give you more space.

Using a utensil basket to keep small items organized will keep them from getting lost! You can place it in your makeshift nightstand or on top of

your dresser. It will be helpful especially if you have a messy roommate. 

Even if you're not an art major you will have plenty of pens, pencils, and highlighters! Instead of buying pencil holders put all those tomato soup and instant ravioli cans

to good use. Clean the cans out, smooth down the edges, and cover the outsides with contact paper that you like. Make a few and you'll have neat and cute pencil holders.

You can create a makeshift shelf for your printer and any desk needs by using two file holders. Just make sure they're not the foldable kind or this shelf won't

stay up very well. You can put paper and any printer accessories in the shelf!

You will have A LOT of books in college from textbooks to readers for class. If you're given one of the tighter dorm spaces you may not have a lot of space

to store your books. Use bricks as bookends and paint them to add some style! You can store your books easily in a shelf, on a dresser, or on your

desk with these!

Your bed will need to suffice as your couch when friends come over since there won't be room for seating in a shared dorm space. Turning your bed into a makeshift daybed/couch will

allow you to be prepared for any get togethers. Get a matching blanket to go over your comforter so that people don't get your bedding dirty by putting their shoes on it or

spilling anything. Add a few a contrasting throw pillows that can work as a back rest against the wall of the bed and you have your makeshift daybed.

Often the blinds in the dorms aren't the best in quality and don't block out the Saturday morning sun. Getting a shower rod and hanging curtains is always an option unless your

room is too wide for a standard rod. This idea using clothes pins and command strips is creative since it doesn't involve any holes in the walls, and you could

use a cool blanket you have instead of buying curtains.

Decorating letters for your initials is a fun way to designate which side of the room is yours. You can hang the letters above your bed or desk!

You can decorate the letters anyway you would like and even make it a fun project to do with your roomie!

Most residence halls don't allow candles because open flames can be dangerous in such confined spaces. But with so many students living in such tight quarters and often without AC,

unpleasant odors arise too quickly. Hanging car air fresheners on your vent or windows will leave your room continuously smelling fresh!

Instead of drab dorm furniture you can brighten the room up and change the color with a little contact paper. Just measure and cut and stick the contact paper onto the surfaces

of your dresser and desk!

Instead of having plain white command hooks to hang up pictures and bags, you can paint them. Create your own glitter glue and add a bit of sparkle to your

room!

Us ladies have a lot of hair tools to make sure we get the right style and with how bulky they are, the tools can take up a lot of space.

Instead of using up limited shelf space with hair tools you can hang them on command hooks inside of cabinet doors!

While command strips are great they can't be used on all surfaces - with some older dorms having brick walls or bumpy surfaces, it's nearly impossible to hang anything. By

using painters tape and hot glue you can put some lightweight decorations up!

Keys are the most essential part of living in a dorm room since you'll have them for just about everything; often a separate key is given for the building, room, bathroom, gym,

and then you have your car keys. Each time you lose your keys or are locked out, you will be charged hefty amounts! Have a little key holder by the door so

you never forget to grab them!

Whiteboards are essential to college living as most students hang them outside of their doors to leave messages to one another. Regardless of where you place the whiteboard it will

come in handy. Use it inside your room with your roommate to make to do lists or grocery lists. These DIY boards are simple to make as long as you

have printed paper you enjoy and an old frame!