Student accommodation is notoriously tiny. University halls of residence can be especially small, so getting living space in halls is a bit of a mixed blessing. On one hand you’ll be right there on campus and have a lockable door of your own, but on the other hand your space is really cramped.
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Wardrobe Space
If you’ve got a wardrobe, here are a few simple tips to maximise the interior area:
● Increase hanging space with a cheap metal or plastic chain and an S hook. You just slot the hook over the rail and dangle the chain from it, then slide your clothes hangers into the loops of the chain.
● If you can’t get hold of any chain with large links, double up your hangars with shower curtain rings or the ring pulls off drinks cans.
● Use shower curtain rings to hold scarves, belts or other everyday accessories. Hook a few onto a clothes hanger then pull accessories through the rings.
● Boxes and stackable tubs in the bottom of the wardrobe are great for keeping smaller items in one place. You can use them for underwear and socks as well as things like stationery.
● If you have shelves in the wardrobe (or anywhere else in the room) a few shelf dividers will keep things organised. You can also get baskets that hang underneath shelves without damaging the shelves themselves, and these can really increase the amount of storage you have for small stackable items. They’re great for notebooks (but not heavy text books!)
Walls, Floors and Drawers
It’s unlikely you’ll be allowed to fix permanent shelving to walls. University halls might not even let you use permanent hooks or hammer in nails. You can make the most of the backs of door though with suction hooks, or over-door hangers.
If there’s no storage under the bed, try to avoid just pushing stuff under there. Invest in some shallow, under-bed storage boxes to help keep things neat and together. If you end up with two or three boxes, label them clearly on the side facing outwards so you don’t waste time rummaging through them.
Keep your drawers tidy with these tips:
● Use a cutlery tray to keep small items separate. You can do the same with toilet roll tubes or cut up empty cereal boxes to make dividers.
● Toilet roll tubes are also handy for keeping cables neat. Cut a tube into two or three sections, then push rolled up cables inside to hold them securely.
● Roll clothing like t-shirts and socks, then stack them vertically in drawers instead of laying them flat. You’d be surprised how much more you can fit in a drawer if you roll instead of folding.
Between Term Storage
Finding space for all your things during term time is tough enough, but every few months you’re faced with long holidays and you may not want to leave valuables in your room. Ending one study year, when you need to completely move out and start again in the autumn, is a whole other challenge.
You can either move everything back home only to cart it all back to uni again, or save yourself the trouble and keep your bulky items in self storage facilities for the duration. It’s not just big things like bikes that are hard to move. Boxes of books, your duvet and linen, and all other bits and bobs that you probably won’t need at home can mount up to lots of boxes and weight.
Plus, if you take everything home you still face a storage problem once you get there. Keep a list of everything in your self storage room so you don’t forget what’s there.
Maybe you don’t need a whole room, in which case you can rent a locker to keep valuables safe. Alternatively, you could team up with a friend if you both have items to store and share the cost of a larger self storage unit.
Students have enough to think about without fretting over lost items or going through the stress of living in constant muddle. Life’s much easier when your stuff is organised and you’re not wasting time carting things around the country or searching for stuff you’ve misplaced.
credit pinterest
Wardrobe Space
If you’ve got a wardrobe, here are a few simple tips to maximise the interior area:
● Increase hanging space with a cheap metal or plastic chain and an S hook. You just slot the hook over the rail and dangle the chain from it, then slide your clothes hangers into the loops of the chain.
● If you can’t get hold of any chain with large links, double up your hangars with shower curtain rings or the ring pulls off drinks cans.
● Use shower curtain rings to hold scarves, belts or other everyday accessories. Hook a few onto a clothes hanger then pull accessories through the rings.
● Boxes and stackable tubs in the bottom of the wardrobe are great for keeping smaller items in one place. You can use them for underwear and socks as well as things like stationery.
● If you have shelves in the wardrobe (or anywhere else in the room) a few shelf dividers will keep things organised. You can also get baskets that hang underneath shelves without damaging the shelves themselves, and these can really increase the amount of storage you have for small stackable items. They’re great for notebooks (but not heavy text books!)
Walls, Floors and Drawers
It’s unlikely you’ll be allowed to fix permanent shelving to walls. University halls might not even let you use permanent hooks or hammer in nails. You can make the most of the backs of door though with suction hooks, or over-door hangers.
If there’s no storage under the bed, try to avoid just pushing stuff under there. Invest in some shallow, under-bed storage boxes to help keep things neat and together. If you end up with two or three boxes, label them clearly on the side facing outwards so you don’t waste time rummaging through them.
Keep your drawers tidy with these tips:
● Use a cutlery tray to keep small items separate. You can do the same with toilet roll tubes or cut up empty cereal boxes to make dividers.
● Toilet roll tubes are also handy for keeping cables neat. Cut a tube into two or three sections, then push rolled up cables inside to hold them securely.
● Roll clothing like t-shirts and socks, then stack them vertically in drawers instead of laying them flat. You’d be surprised how much more you can fit in a drawer if you roll instead of folding.
Between Term Storage
Finding space for all your things during term time is tough enough, but every few months you’re faced with long holidays and you may not want to leave valuables in your room. Ending one study year, when you need to completely move out and start again in the autumn, is a whole other challenge.
You can either move everything back home only to cart it all back to uni again, or save yourself the trouble and keep your bulky items in self storage facilities for the duration. It’s not just big things like bikes that are hard to move. Boxes of books, your duvet and linen, and all other bits and bobs that you probably won’t need at home can mount up to lots of boxes and weight.
Plus, if you take everything home you still face a storage problem once you get there. Keep a list of everything in your self storage room so you don’t forget what’s there.
Maybe you don’t need a whole room, in which case you can rent a locker to keep valuables safe. Alternatively, you could team up with a friend if you both have items to store and share the cost of a larger self storage unit.
Students have enough to think about without fretting over lost items or going through the stress of living in constant muddle. Life’s much easier when your stuff is organised and you’re not wasting time carting things around the country or searching for stuff you’ve misplaced.
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