Student life can be messy and complicated to navigate. There’s just not enough room and many different commitments to manage, and keeping everything clean and usable seems too hard. However, with a few cheap and easy tricks, you can have space for everything and still make a decent profit.
Make the Most of Vertical Space
Thinking vertically in a room with limited floor space can be a game-changer. Use wall shelves or hanging organizers to efficiently store books, school supplies, and other essentials. Such choices save your desk and floor space, making your shared space manageable. Another must-have is over-the-door hooks – you can hang jackets, backpacks, or towels without taking up space. Another cheap alternative is stackable bins. They are great for organizing stuff that you don’t necessarily use daily, such as clothes for the season or additional study material. Having these off the floor can make your room brighter and less cluttered.
While staying organized is key to reducing stress, sometimes even the most well-organized student can feel overwhelmed by tight deadlines and heavy assignments. You can ask experts to write college papers and other assignments for you. By delegating complex essays or time-consuming research papers, you can free up your schedule to focus on organizing your living space, keeping your shared environment harmonious, and dedicating time to other priorities.
Divide and Conquer
Everyone must have a room or apartment when living in a shared one. A small shelf, fridge area, room corner – if you make individual zones for everyone’s items, you avoid mess and stay on top of things. Label things so everyone knows who has what, especially in common areas such as the kitchen or bathroom. It isn’t just for planning – it also avoids confusion regarding everyday things. When you’re all on the same page about who’s accountable for what, tidying is a team affair.
Get Creative with Storage
If space is a premium, be creative. Try to find items that also double as storage, such as ottomans with compartments or beds with built-in drawers. If you can’t afford new furniture, you can make your storage. Organize cardboard boxes or other old containers as desks or closet organizers. Storage underneath the bed is another budget-friendly solution to save room. Low-end storage bins stash shoes, extra sheets, or textbooks you won’t need. Curtain rods can also be used as temporary scarves, jewelry, or lightweight bag hangers to get your things off your floor.
Keep Shared Areas Clean
Common areas are often the most significant paint points in shared spaces. Kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms easily overflow with everyone on the go. Simple rules for cleaning and tidying up communal spaces can go a long way.
Plan a rotation of washing dishes, vacuuming, or emptying the trash. When everybody pitches in, it doesn’t get dirty if one person is hogging all the space. Have cleaners on hand so that everybody can get involved if they have to.
Invest in Affordable Organizing Tools
You don’t have to be rich to be on track – low-cost solutions are out there. Dollar stores and discount stores are the places to find practical organizing solutions to make your room a whole new one. Here are some budget-friendly essentials to get:
- Small bins: These can be used to organize things like pens, chargers, or snacks.
- Drawer separators: Great for arranging stuff on your desk or dresser.
- Hanging organizers: Ideal for maximizing closet space or giving extra space to shoes or accessories.
- Binder clips: CThis is a cheap and easy way to keep cords straight and clean.
- Rubber bands: Great for packing papers, marking, or just holding things in place.
These little gadgets are super cheap and will help make your home tidy. A little preparation now saves you time and anxiety later.
Declutter Regularly
It’s easy to become crowded with things you no longer use in communal spaces. Declutter your space often and regularly. Sort through your belongings every few months and list what you need. Donate the clothes or books you don’t need and give away ruined or unused items. When you only bring the necessities to your communal space, you will be better organized, and the space will feel more relaxed.
Small Steps, Big Impact
Organizing a common area can be simple and inexpensive. When you think vertically, are creative with storage options, and create systems to clear shared areas, you’ll have a more productive and less cluttered room.
Make even the tiniest tweaks, such as labeling things or tidying every once in a while, to make your room feel like it has a new life. It may be hard when sharing a room, but with these affordable tricks, you can get organized and focused without breaking the bank. Invest a little time to make your coworking space more fun for all of you.