storage ideas welcomed!

[StunnedandHappy]

I know over the time I have been reading this forum that lots of people have suggested storage solutions for small halls rooms.
I've been too nervous to make a note of them until my DS place was confirmed and now I can’t seem to find any.

we won’t know what room he is getting until the middle of September apparently, and the rooms are all quite different in size and layout.

if anyone has got any good storage ideas they would be gratefully received. Or even what didn’t work!

for example I’ve seen ikea do an over door storage for shoes - and my DS has many pairs of trainers. But I worry that they will be a bit flimsy for lots of heavy size 12 shoes!!.

I think we will have to do an IKEA on line order as we are no where near one to visit but I know I’ve ordered things in the past online generally and when they’ve arrived they’ve been a real letdown

thanks for any tips!

We found a cheap shoe rack better (if any room by door) as chances of putting shoes away in over door are less and bigger shoes harder to get in and make it really bulky/unstable. Don't take all the trainers- can always bring some later.
In fact cut everything by half. Pans etc just less likely to wash up if more than 1 + a frying pan and same with plates.
Clothes don't take them all and remember Uni rooms in halls are normally too hot although obviously it will be cold outside soon.
When you do finally get it you do need to look at room tour video before buying lots so you get an idea of configuration of the room as they vary.
B&M, Home Bargains, Dunhelm, Asda Home (+ lots of others) all do as much useful stuff as IKEA -so I wouldn't make a special trip.

Please don't get an 'over door' anything if the only door it could go on is the fire door entry/ exit door to the room. Hanging storage on the inside or outside of a wardrobe door for small items would obviously be safe, though.

Our DC didn't use them at university, but at home, we have the type of fabric hanging shelf units that can be attached to the rail in a wardrobe. Ours are the sort that attach with sturdy velcro, rather than needing to take the rail out to thread them over. Good for spare bedding / shoes / sweaters / knitting yarn. (Okay, possibly not a requirement for the average university fresher, but I have lots of yarn). How useful this would be obviously depends on the occupant's foldable to must be hung up clothing ratio, and the size of the wardrobe, though.

Realistically how likely is your ds to put his shoes away? Unless he is a natural neat freak (& not just tidying away because it’s expected at home) shoes will live in a pile in the corner of the room / bottom of the wardrobe.

I would wait until he has arrived and settled in and then ask him if there is anything he wants. Only thing I would definitely buy in advance is a mattress topper as that can make the beds much more comfortable. Dunelm do cheap and washable ones.

Ds (done 2 years) has

• 2 underbed storage boxes (for bedding and towels)
• a 2 pigeon hole 'cube' to sit inside the hanging part of the wardrobe (80 cm wide hanging space and he has hardly anything that we would normally hang). Tried a fabric hanging organiser but he found it really frustrating to use.
• a load of hangers to put his jumpers on and hang his trousers. (Have taught him to hang his stuff as it comes out of the washing machine which makes him look slightly less dishevelled too.)
• some over the door hooks for coats, dressing gowns etc last year (door to the ensuite he had last year)
• basket in the shower that loops over the shower rail (can take with him, but just lived there permanently last year)
• another basket for his cleaning stuff (only last year when he was responsible for cleaning, which lived under the whb in the ensuite).

Last year he had an ensuite where they provided a small bathroom cabinet. In both rooms they've provided a small chest of 4 drawers. In his first room there was then also space for a 4 pigeon hole 'cube' at the foot of his bed for random stuff, but that wasn't the case in his second year. But that year he didn't have an ensuite, so no hooks.

Overdoor hangers can work on en suite doors or wardrobe doors, but don't always fit. Not to be used on the main fire doors.

The fabric hanging wardrobe was a success for DD. She also used space saver hangers which allowed greater hanging capacity. here

It's usually drawer space that's lacking, so a couple of the folding fabric IKEA boxes fitted at the bottom of the wardrobe for undies and jumpers.

Shoe racks work well.

No bed side table so used a trolley on wheels <a class="break-all" href="https://aax-eu.amazon.co.uk/x/c/JE8hBQYO9vxiJSZ3DwffDBAAAAGRb1JMSwMAAAH2AQBvbm9fdHhuX2JpZDIgICBvbm9fdHhuX2ltcDEgICAKXKpp/www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B07R2LZK59/?encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_plhdr=t&aaxitk=35859de73386fb9c3b4ea7d79179b467&hsa_cr_id=8421570300802&qid=1724149549&sr=1-2-e0fa1fdd-d857-4087-adda-5bd576b25987&ref=sbx_be_s_sparkle_lsi4d_asin_1_title&pd_rd_w=tiRFS&content-id=amzn1.sym.25f7c301-a223-4ff8-91c9-accfeab9fda8%3Aamzn1.sym.25f7c301-a223-4ff8-91c9-accfeab9fda8&pf_rd_p=25f7c301-a223-4ff8-91c9-accfeab9fda8&pf_rd_r=JXFKN42SAXCV5YX3EBC6&pd_rd_wg=oTWs6&pd_rd_r=fb71796a-3e2b-4a5e-8ef6-8eaa7b56de47" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">like this

For the en suite, things that fix with suction pads for shampoo etc can be useful, as well as suction hooks

Shallow plastic boxes are useful for underbed storage - both mine have kept much of their dry store cupboard ingredients under their beds, as well as more valued kitchen equipment as there is little room for storage in the kitchens, and things can go walking.

snack box

Little containers for keeping bits and pieces together are also useful.

Under bed storage. Lots of unused space. You can get boxes on little wheels.

DD stores her shoes on the hearth of her (unused) fireplace! In standard rooms, hanging for shoes in the wardrobe or just the floor of the wardrobe - take 6 pairs? 12 is a lot. Wash bag if shared shower.

I would take as little as possible. Just essentials.

Once DS has settled in, and realised there are some things he can’t do without he can buy them himself, come home and collect them, ask you to send them.

It’s so much easier to pack, unpack, and keep things tidy when you don’t have too much stuff, and small rooms filled with too much can quickly become claustrophobic.

Storage solutions need to be packed up at the end too, after all.

Thanks everyone!
I think the key message to take away is to be ruthless with what he takes in the first place!

@StunnedandHappy Depends on the size of your car too! Are you taking a roof box? Lots seem to. We have always had a big 4x4 and DDs boarded at school so we were used to doing this but without cooking gear which DDs had in second year. Plus things like a rug! Definitely take as little as possible - you will always find you bring more home at the end of term!

@TizerorFizz i want him to have a rug! But I think there won’t be room in the car. It’s an oxbridge college and all the rooms seem to be quite differing sizes, so it’s difficult to plan really. He’s now said he thinks he will just be allocated a room on the day so minimalist seems to be the way to go. And maybe I do a return journey a couple of weeks later to add or remove items as necessary!

Definitely don't over pack. Oxbridge college will be catered fully, I assume? DS is at Oxford, and he only really needed mugs, glasses, a couple of plates and a bowl.

If you have the bags that duvets come back from the dry cleaners in, use these for under bed storage.

Also, suggest he hangs his washing on hangers on his airer. Much more space efficient.