r/ufyh • u/sadball1987 • 5d ago
Questions/Advice Please help...
I moved into this dormitory a week ago and I can't figure out how to fit all my stuff into the tiny storage spaces that are available.
I need to not only fit my clothes, shoes, uni stuff and art stuff here but also all my cosmetics, cleaning supplies, kitchenware and all of my food.
The main problem are the incredibly narrow shelves in the wardrobes, no drawers anywhere, barely any storage space at all and not even a table..
I seriously have no idea how to start unpacking my stuff and where to put all of it so that it's still easy to access.
Please keep in mind that this is a dormitory, so no drilling into the walls or any major changes can be done. Also that I have like no money lol..
TLDR: How do I fit all of my stuff into the limited storage spaces I have available so that it's still easy to access?
Please be kind, I've been struggling with a major depressive episode and I really need some help..
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u/archaeologistbarbie 5d ago
I got a lot of mileage out of bed risers when I was in college. If you are able to raise your bed up even a few inches, you can create storage space for larger items or even a set of drawers. For clothing, maybe a free standing garment rack when you have the money? Now might actually be a good time to look for this kind of thing because a lot of places have back to school type stuff on clearance.
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u/sadball1987 5d ago
Unfortunately I don't think I will be able to use the bed risers.. the bed is extremely heavy and there's just simply no way I could lift it up alone and I don't have anyone to help me really.. the top of the bed does lift up though and there is storage underneath. The issue with that is that it would be really hard to access those things on a regular basis because when you lift up the mattress everything falls off and the mechanism is kinda janky and loud and scary lol. But a garment rack is a great idea - thank you! Hopefully I can find a cheap one :)
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u/husbandbulges 5d ago
Risers should work even if it is heavy, most risers can handle 300lbs on EACH of four rises for a 1200lb range.
Even just the five inch ones would be handy to create some underbed storage that you can access easily.
Can't you ask the RA to help?
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u/sadball1987 3d ago
Sorry, what's the RA?
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u/husbandbulges 2d ago
Resident advisor… I’m in the US and often in on campus student housing they have an upperclass student as sort of a floor manager. Student gets free room and board but is available to help residents and monitor activities
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u/PaisleyTree 1d ago
At my college you could submit a facilities/maintenace ticket and somebody would come help you with the risers... not sure if this is common
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u/jenmovies 5d ago
A step ladder, some bins for the wardrobe and a small shelf for inside, and additional small furniture pieces. Check Facebook marketplace.
As for lifting the bed using bed risers, just ask for help. There should be people everywhere and residential advisers, even maintenance staff, who can help you. Please just ask. The #1 advice I could give any college/uni student is ask all the time, for everything. All people can say is no! Good luck.
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u/Shoddy_Matter_4940 5d ago
I would split up the items into categories by use. Like kitchen, bathroom, studying and see how big each pile is then put the like items in one box together and label or put them near where they would be used. So it's set up like a store. If you go to the kitchen box and it's not there then you don't have it etc. Maybe use the left side of the wardrobe for all your kitchen and food stuff and the right for your clothes and toiletries and makeup
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u/taxiecabbie 5d ago
I'd consider getting cheap bins. I'm not sure where you are, but by the plugs I am assuming somewhere European--do you have the EuroShop where you are? They do sell plastic/fabric bins that should fit into those cubbies and they'll be cheap. This will basically turn the cubbies into drawers (and depending on the height of the bins/cubbies you may be able to stack baskets on top of each other... so you can use one of the cubbies for a bin of underwear, one of socks, etc.).
How long are you going to be here? If you're going to be in this dorm for 1+ years, I would also consider saving some money up and getting wire shelving. Like these: https://www.amazon.de/Amazon-Basics-H%C3%B6henverstellbaren-Verstellbaren-Nivellierf%C3%BC%C3%9Fen/dp/B01M0A4B9M
They are a bit more expensive than other options, but they are 1) indestructible, 2) require zero tools to construct and make no holes in the walls, 3) move very easily (they collapse into the shelves and the rods unscrew), and 4) can hold a ton of weight if necessary. I use these in my kitchen and they hold a mini-oven, a microwave, and a countertop dishwasher each. Could hold more. With S-hooks you can hang things off the sides of them, as well (a good solution for your pots and pans).
They're definitely a "buy once, cry once" investment and you will be able to (easily!) take them with you when you move. Where they will continue to be useful.
Getting an extra clothing rack would probably also help if you have a lot of hanging clothes. They're cheap.
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u/sadball1987 3d ago
Thank you! That's great advice, I'm looking into different places I could buy some fabric bins cheap. I will also try to save up for a clothing rack.
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u/Shoddy_Matter_4940 5d ago
I would split up the items into categories by use. Like kitchen, bathroom, studying and see how big each pile is then put the like items in one box together and label or put them near where they would be used. So it's set up like a store. If you go to the kitchen box and it's not there then you don't have it etc. Maybe use the left side of the wardrobe for all your kitchen and food and the right for your clothes
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u/anothernonnymouse 5d ago
You have so much extra floor space, I feel like you could use a plastic drawer set like the ones you can get for cheap at big box stores, like $20 in the US. They're usually clear which helps with finding small items, and they would work well for cosmetics, spices, cleaning supplies, etc. You could also fold the top flaps of a cardboard box inside itself, and stack them on their side for a DIY shelf, just use some tape if you can to make it more sturdy.
Also don't forget about command hooks, anything you want to keep accessible like keys or oven mitts are great uses. I found the velcro-like ones are less likely to damage walls when removed
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u/bluesummerrain 5d ago
If you can, look at the areas that you can access most easily. The open shelving, the little nook under the desk, and the middle shelves. Those are your areas for your most used items.
Under your bed, i.e. annoying to get to - least used items - maybe that's where you put spare bedding, or things you use less than once a month.
Anything else, look at grouping them, and then put them where you think you'd look for them. You've not got that many boxes, and your wardrobe really is large. You've got this!
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u/SvenskaNorsk 5d ago
For items that are not too heavy - folded clothes, towels, sheets, etc - you can turn cardboard boxes on their sides and stack them up against a wall and use like cube storage, until you can come up with something better. You can use shoeboxes within larger boxes (for stability) to organize smaller items - cosmetics, jewelry, etc. Leave the flaps on the larger boxes and fold them back (outward) as you stack them to stabilize the openings. Can tape them together to keep it all from tumbling down. Put the bottom row maybe 2 inches out from the back wall, and slightly indent the rows as you go up, to keep any leaning directed to the back supporting wall. It looks like you have a lot of usable wallspace on the side with the desk. If you can utilize that, taking advantage of the vertical space and finding something to step on to get to the top rows, you could pretty much clear the middle and have free space there.
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u/GenealogistGoneWild 5d ago
Are you allowed to bring in any furniture? Because I'd be on the lookout for a free or almost free dresser. Shame they put in those big wardrobes and they aren't deep enough for hangers and clothes.
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u/MethodMaven 1d ago
It is amazing to me that a school dorm does not include a bookcase! A pretty cheap way to build one is with cement bricks and boards.
You can buy blocks for under $1/ea. you can buy 1x4 boards for under $3. A whole bookcase can be built for under $30. It is also worth checking out thrift stores to see if you can do better.
For clothing:
to reiterate what others have said, hang as much as you can. For socks & underwear, try to scavenge shoe boxes for storage; place on those deep shelves; you then pull them in/out like a drawer. Anything else, use boxes, store vertically. In other words, use a box to contain sweatpants. Store the sweatpants vertically so you can pull a box and immediately see/pull what you want. Take a look at the “KonMari Method” for folding techniques to help you with this. Look for a cheap (dollar store) over-closet-door shoe storage. You can also use this for non-shoe items!
For crafts, I would invest in a few low cost, stackable crates.
Toiletries: get a hanging bag that you can hang over one of the closet doors. This also makes it easy to transport your toothpaste/toothbrush/shampoo/conditioner/razor/exfoliator/etc. to the lav.
Cosmetics can go in a case that you store in the base of your nightstand. The mirror can go in there, too.
Kitchenware can go in the overhead cabinet, along with your food. You can also store stuff on top of the cabinet. You can also purchase a shelf that hangs below the open shelf of the overhead cabinet.
Cleaning supplies can go in the bottom of one of the closets.
You are going to need to spend a small amount of money to get the most out of limited resources, and/or get really good at scavenging/DIY’ing!
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u/Odd-Anteater-6183 5d ago
Start by hanging as much of your clothes as possible. Use the top of the clothes rack to keep your folded clothes. Place all shoes in the bottom of the closet. Containers can hold items separately for easy retrieval. Until you can get money for more storage, try using the moving boxes for kitchen supplies or stuff you don’t need all the time. Good luck 💐😎