Saving graces for those tight student spaces
Stay stylishly organized with these handy finds
Whether students are living in a dorm, apartment or at home with family, their bedrooms are the refuge for hanging out and studying. So when school starts, that means more supplies end up there. To stay productive, it’s crucial to create organizational systems that will work throughout the school year.
I’m always intrigued by new products that save space and make life easier, so I’ve done a little back-to-school shopping for new and notable necessities that will save space and make life easier during the school year. Here are a few finds that will keep small spaces organized and tidy without breaking the bank, while — of course — adding style.
LOOK UP
When an area is organized and free of clutter (especially desks), not only is it easier to find things, but the space looks larger. The most effective way to accomplish this is to keep clutter off the floor. That means magazines, clothes, knapsacks and sports equipment need a home on the walls.
Hooks near entrances are a saving grace for daily comings and goings, and a bookcase is a necessity for loads of books, papers and storage boxes. Small wall shelves are a great solution to help keep your small, displayable items close at hand.
On a visit to off-price retailer Marshalls, I found ontrend gold wire shelves that brought many storage and display ideas to mind. Use them to hold rolled up spare towels and bath supplies, your cellphone (a.k.a. alarm clock) when there’s no room for a nightstand, or near the entry door to empty pockets into when arriving home. The gold-tone finish creates a light, reflective appearance that won’t visually consume wall space while adding a modern look.
Hang wall shelves at a height that caters to its use. Hang a shelf 24 inches above the floor for use as a night table, raise it to four feet from the floor to catch keys at the front door, and hang six feet (or higher) to display collectible trophies and photos.
ZIP THE CLUTTER
If you’re like me, you’re in a constant struggle to keep things organized around the desk. Make this guiding principle your new mantra: Everything needs a place, and like items need to be kept together.
How do I do it? I’ve become my mom, who loved to organize things into small containers. In the kitchen, I’ve enjoyed a long-term relationship with Ziploc bags for organizing and storing, and now they’re making their way into my work area and supporting me when I travel.
Ziploc recently introduced accessory bags that are extra-durable and have stylish printed patterns on them (think lightweight pencil cases and makeup bags). They securely close with the ease of sliding that familiar zipper across the top. Whether you’re travelling, studying or heading off to work, these economical shape-shifters will serve a multitude of uses.
In my knapsack, for instance, I’ve got a bag dedicated to a toothbrush, floss and paste for long days out of the house. At home or on the road, these are my new best friends. Certainly not my mother’s used margarine containers — these have style!
LAUNDRY DAY
For a student living away from home, doing laundry might be a whole new world. Lugging around laundry detergent, cleaning up spills, and storing bulky jugs can be a real hassle. New pre-measured concentrated laundry strips might be the solution students need.
They look similar to a dryer sheet and are a fabulous solution to messy pods, powders and liquids. Simply rip off a strip and put it in the washer with the dirty clothes — it dissolves in hot or cold water and the concentrated soap disperses evenly.
These little strips save space, are eco-friendly (no more large plastic jugs to dispose of), don’t require measuring, won’t spill, and are lightweight for lugging to the laundry machines. Professor Karl gives them top marks for making laundry day easier on hectic study days.
CRAMMING IN CRAMPED QUARTERS
Here are three easy decorating tricks to make any small bedroom appear larger.
❚ The less variation in colour, the less visual clutter. Create a monochromatic colour scheme by using various tones of one colour to decorate your room.
❚ Give it legs! Furniture with legs will expose more floor, making a small room appear spacious.
❚ Hang a mirror at a 90-degree angle from a window. It will brighten the room and give the illusion of a second window.