It is always an exciting time to move into a new apartment and let us first welcome you to your University of South Florida apartment. Now that you are getting moved in, you may be wondering the best ways to organize your new space. Whether you are in a one-bedroom apartment or a larger USF apartment with roommates, below are some ideas that you may find helpful.
VERTICAL SPACE
In any space but especially a smaller bedroom, you want to make the most of every bit of space you have, including your vertical space. Your bedroom may have shelves, or you may wish to purchase a bookshelf on your own. If you have a desk and dresser, consider purchasing containers for the top of your furniture.
UNDER THE BED STORAGE
Storage under your bed is a place many may overlook. You will be amazed at how much space you have to use under there. Many containers are available for this purpose and can be found at your local Target, Walmart, or some options here at Bed Bath and Beyond. They also offer bed lifts if you need to lift your bed to fit more storage. Seasonal clothes, shoes, books, and other items make excellent choices to store under your bed.
CLOSET SPACE
Whether you have a walk-in closet or regular closet, make sure to utilize all your closet space, including the back of your doors. Use your doors to hang your shoes, hats, and other accessories. You can purchase cloth organizers that hang in your closet to put items that may not hang on hangers on their own, like shoes and sweaters.
DESK
An organized desk will make your busy life much easier. A desk organizing system to store your pens, pencils, papers is an excellent purchase for any University of South Florida student. A paper calendar or whiteboard calendar that hangs on the wall to keep your schedule on track is useful. If you find yourself with lots of cords and devices to charge, consider a charging station to keep everything in one place.
DRESSER or NIGHTSTAND
As you start to fill your dresser and/or nightstand, you may find this the perfect time to get rid of items you no longer need. Pick a drawer for your items (socks, shorts, shirts, etc.) Use dividers to keep small things organized and separate, such as belts, socks, ties. If you are short on space, you may want to consider rolling items to fit more.
BASKETS/CONTAINERS
As stated above, containers can be usual in every area of your USF apartment bedroom. When items have a home spot, you are less likely to misplace things while keeping your bedroom tidy. Every room needs a place to put your dirty laundry. A laundry basket, hamper, or bag similar to this one found at Ikea Tampa is an inexpensive option, doesn't take up a lot of space, and easy to transport your laundry to the laundry room or back to your parent's house this weekend.
COMMAND STRIPS/HOOKS
What did we do before these? Those tiny hooks and strips are so helpful for everything! Whether you want to add some art to your walls, hang a corkboard to display your photos and memories, these hooks are a must-have. Use them to hang your coat, accessories, keys, purse, or hats. Or check out the Command Brand website page on other organizing ideas.
We hope you find these organizing tips helpful in your bedroom in off-campus housing!