College Bound? Some Space Saving Ideas for the Dorm

We've been touring colleges the last few months with our daughter who will be a senior in high school this year. It's been a real eye-opening experience seeing the variety of dorm room choices out there. That's why I've been wanting to share some great organizing ideas with you on ways to maximize the space in your collegiate's dorm room.

Here are some of the items I'm loving from The Container Store - especially designed for small spaces:



3M Command Classic Adhesive Hooks - these attach to the wall but don't require nails or screws and can be removed with no damage to the walls. Plus, they can be re-used again in a new space. These hooks also come in a brushed nickle finish.



Tint Stacking Drawers - these come in two sizes and seven colors and can be stacked or placed under the bed for additional storage.



Desktop Swivel Storage - a great way to maximize the space on your desk. This holds paper clips, rubber bands, and other small desktop items all in one place.



Grid Totes with Handles - great for taking to and from the bath - when you can't store your bathroom items in the bathroom. Comes in small and large sizes.



2-Drawer Mesh Organizer - store all your toiletries, cosmetics or cleaning supplies in these great organizers which fit in a cupboard or on a closet shelf.



Bask Shower Caddy - this three-shelf shower caddy is great for sharing with roommates and holds all your shower essentials.

I could go on and on but check out The Container Store's great line of products by going to their website or visiting one of their stores.

Tip Tuesday - Eliminate the Yellow/White Pages

When you're searching for telephone numbers, use the internet instead of the space hogging Yellow and White Pages. Ask your telephone company to take you off their delivery schedule. Now you've got more space in that cupboard or drawer that used to be taken up with this large books.

Suitcases for Kids

Here's a wonderful way to recycle your old suitcases. Suitcases for Kids provides gently used suitcases for foster children who sometimes have to move at a moment's notice from one home to another. Many of these children have to move their belongings in black trash bags because they have no luggage.

Suitcases for Kids encourages you to donate your gently used luggage to your local Department of Social Services, Child Welfare Board or a Foster Care Agency in your neighborhood.

Click here to get more information on Suitcases for Kids.

Storing your Cutting Boards

There are many ways to store cutting boards - from stacking them in a cupboard to sticking them in a drawer. However, I saw this idea in a magazine and thought it was so clever because it brought together two items from completely different areas in the home.

Store your cutting boards in a file sorter like this one from Rubbermaid.
Place the taller cutting boards in the back, the smaller ones in front. It fits right on your counter which makes using the boards so much easier.

Real Simple Quote for Today

“For every minute spent in organizing, an hour is earned.”

―Benjamin Franklin

Tip Tuesday - Paying Bills on Time

Did you know that over 23% of the population pays late fees on bills not paid on time because they were misplaced?

Keep a hanging file next to where you pay your bills. When the bills come in, store them (temporarily) in the file until it's time to sit down and pay them. Everything will be in the right place which will eliminate the late fees caused by misplaced bills.

World's Longest Yard Sale

Starting on August 6 and continuing until August 9, 2009, the World's Longest Yard Sale will be held from Ohio to Alabama - 654 miles long!

Click here to see their website. I wish I could get to this just to see it for myself!