Add Function and Coziness to the Dorm Room!
Need to create more storage, division or space in a tiny dorm room? We've got you covered with the BEST DIY projects to upgrade your dorm room!
These projects are all perfect for a dorm room because they are lightweight, easy to build and add function, without drilling holes in the wall!
All of these projects are WOOD so it is renewable and biodegradable, you can have a sustainable dorm room!
1. Leaning Hall Tree
Image Credit: Ana White
Skill Level: | Beginner |
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Tools Needed: | Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Kreg Jig, Safety Glasses |
Materials: | 2x material, hooks |
Does your entryway need systems to get stuff off the floor? No where to hang back packs, purses, coats, keys, shoes and accessories?
In a rental or dorm, it's a great way to "add hooks to the wall", without actually having to screw into the walls! It's a lightweight but sturdy project.
2. Laundry Basket Organizer
Image Credit: Ana White
Skill Level: | Beginner |
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Tools Needed: | Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Safety Glasses |
Materials: | 1x material, laundry baskets |
In small living spaces such as a dorm room, keeping clothes off the floor in an organized way will keep a space neat and tidy. This laundry basket organizer is easy to build, inexpensive and lightweight so it can be moved around easily. Great for a family or roomates, for each person to have their own basket. The ease of use is great, on laundry day just pull your basket out and carry it to the laundry room and when you're done just slide it back in for the next load to collect!
3. Rolling C Table
Image Credit: Ana White
Skill Level: | Beginner |
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Tools Needed: |
Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Kreg Jig, Safety Glasses |
Materials: | 1x material, casters |
Sometimes you just need a tabletop surface to set things on or to work from , this rolling c table design is great to add to any space with a sofa!
4. Lightweight Desk with Storage
Image Credit: Ana White
Skill Level: | Beginner |
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Tools Needed: | Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Kreg Jig, Nailer, Sander, Safety Glasses |
Materials: | 1x material, 2x2s, hinges, handle, support wire |
Perfect for a laptop station or a console table or vanity, this LIGHTWEIGHT, easy to build desk is easy to move into the dorm, and easy to move out! SUPER SIMPLE BUILD so you can whip this out in a day!
5.UNDER BED Drawer Trundle
Image Credit: Ana White
Skill Level: | Beginner |
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Tools Needed: | Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Kreg Jig, Nailer, Sander, Safety Glasses |
Materials: | 1x material, plywood, casters, handle |
Add rolling storage just about anywhere. This plan is easy to modify for any dimension. Use under beds, benches, sofas, chairs coffee tables, or wherever you need a little extra storage that has enough clearance!
6. Desks that Convert to a Table
Image Credit: Ana White
Skill Level: | Beginner |
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Tools Needed: | Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Kreg Jig, Nailer, Sander, Safety Glasses |
Materials: | 1x and 2x material, plywood, handles, drawer slidess |
Easily go from studying to eating dinner or playing card games. This design allows desk mode to table mode, making it flexible for a small living space.
7. Cube Rolling Storage
Image Credit: Ana White
Skill Level: | Beginner |
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Tools Needed: | Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Kreg Jig, Sander, Safety Glasses |
Materials: | 1x material, plywood, casters, foam, velcro |
Add seating and storage with these easy rolling storage stools. Flip the lid over and it becomes a lap desk. Perfect for dorm rooms, kids bedrooms or small spaces that need some extra storage and seating!
8. Stack and Flip Desks with Storage
Image Credit: Ana White
Skill Level: | Beginner |
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Tools Needed: | Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Jig Saw, Sander, Safety Glasses |
Materials: | 1x material |
Desks that stack and store away. This design is great for storing books, then just flip over and use it as a floor desk or standing desk on top of a table. Great multi purpose desk for any age!
9. Adjustable Organizer
Image Credit: Ana White
Skill Level: | Beginner |
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Tools Needed: | Tape Measure, Saw, Nailer, Sander, Safety Glasses |
Materials: | 1x material |
An ajustable organizer makes a great addition for a desktop, counter, or tabletop. This is a very easy build using just one board!
10. Desk Hutch
Image Credit: Ana White
Skill Level: | Beginner |
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Tools Needed: | Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Kreg Jig, Nailer, Sander, Safety Glasses |
Materials: | 1x material and plywood |
Adding vertical storage to a desk is a must. Create more storage and organization easily. The best part is that it doesn't take up much of the tabletop to create more storage and function!
11. Folding Privacy Screen
Image Credit: H20 Bungalow
Skill Level: | Beginner |
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Tools Needed: | Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Kreg Jig, Sander, Safety Glasses |
Materials: | 1x material, hinges, acrylic lighting panels |
Shared spaces sometimes lack privacy. A room divider will allow you to partitian spaces in small living quarters to give some much needed privacy!
12. Water Bottle Storage
Image Credit: Ana White
Skill Level: | Beginner |
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Tools Needed: | Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Nailer, Sander, Safety Glasses |
Materials: | 1x material |
Chances are you have multiple waters bottles in your living quarters. Sometimes they can get unorganized and take up valuable space in cabinets. Here's a solution to keep them neat and tidy. Works great for a countertop, cabinet or pantry!
13. Leaning Shoe Shelves
Image Credit: Home Made by Carmona via Build Something
Skill Level: | Beginner |
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Tools Needed: | Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Kreg Jig, Sander, Safety Glasses |
Materials: | 1x and 2x material |
This rustic shoe shelf is great for a small entryway. The vertical design works well for tight spaces for a little extra shoe storage!
14. Wood Risers
Image Credit: The Sorry Girls
Skill Level: | Beginner |
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Tools Needed: | Tape Measure, Saw, Drill or Nailer, Sander, Safety Glasses |
Materials: | 1x material |
One way to add more organization to a tabletop, desktop, cabinet or counter is to add shelf risers. This simple design helps to create better use of space and organization. These are easy to modify to be longer, taller or deeper and can be used just about anywhere for added storage and organization!
15. Bedside Caddy
Image Credit: Jen Woodhouse
Skill Level: | Beginner |
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Tools Needed: | Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Nailer, Sander, Safety Glasses |
Materials: | 1x material, plywood, bunk ladder brackets |
Keep water, tissues, books and any nighttime items easily accessible without having to leave the bed. Great little organization project where there may be limited room for a nightstand, perfect for bunk beds as seen here and great for all ages!
16. Ladder Nightstand
Image Credit: The Merry Thought
Skill Level: | Beginner |
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Tools Needed: | Tape Measure, Saw, Nailer, Sander, Safety Glasses |
Materials: | 1x material |
Keeping a small space simple is key. Don't overcrowd with clutter, just use essential pieces to furnish it. This ladder nightstand is the perfect example. It's simple clean lines look great and it also serves a pupose, fabulous!
17. Standing Storage Mirror
Image Credit: Francesca Stone via EHow
Skill Level: | Beginner |
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Tools Needed: | Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Safety Glasses |
Materials: | 2x material, corner moulding, brackets, mirror |
Adding mirror to a space can make it appear larger. This freestanding mirror with storage is a perfect addition for a small space that needs more storage built in, it's also great because it doesn't require attaching to a wall!
18. Toiletry Tower
Image Credit: Dunn Lumber
Skill Level: | Beginner |
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Tools Needed: | Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Safety Glasses |
Materials: | 1x material |
Keep all of your essential toiletries organized and in one place. This one doesn't take up a lot of floor space and if you're sharing a room or small space, this is a great addtion for mulitple people to have their own organizer!
19. Shower Caddy
Image Credit: Dunn Lumber
Skill Level: | Beginner |
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Tools Needed: | Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Safety Glasses |
Materials: | 1x material |
In a living situation like a dorm room, most of the time showers are shared. This is a great way to transport the essential bathroom items during shower time!
20. Leaning Wall Organizer
Image Credit: Alice and Lois via Hunker
Skill Level: | Beginner |
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Tools Needed: | Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Safety Glasses |
Materials: | 1x material, plywood, cork board, chalk paint |
Stay organized with this modern wall organizer. Keep track of busy schedules or leave a note. This wall organizer adds function and a fun design element!
21. Charging Station
Image Credit: House Becoming Home via Jen Woodhouse
Skill Level: | Intermediate |
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Tools Needed: | Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Kreg Jig, Router, Sander, Safety Glasses |
Materials: | plywood, edging |
Keep multiple devices and all of those cords organized and tidy. Create a charging station that also stores devices for multiple users!
22. Low Profile Storage Rack
Image Credit: Woodshop Diaries
Skill Level: | Beginner |
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Tools Needed: | Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Kreg Jig, Nailer, Sander, Safety Glasses |
Materials: | 2x material, plywood, wood dowel |
This vertical rack isn't just for shoes, it can be used anywhere for some extra vertical storage. The design is nice and small and won't take up a ton of room, it looks fabulous too!
22. Bed Risers
Image Credit: Today's Creative Ideas
Skill Level: | Beginner Intermediate Advanced |
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Tools Needed: | Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Safety Glasses |
Materials: | 4x4s, 1x6, glue, brad nails or screws |
Need to lift a bed for more height underneath for storage? This easy DIY will help get that bed up off the floor, for more room underneath!
23. Leaning Vanity
Image Credit: Jaime Costeggio
Skill Level: | Intermediate Advanced |
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Tools Needed: | Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Safety Glasses |
Materials: | 1x2s, 1x pine boards, brad nails and glue or screws |
Need an organized space for beauty and self care? This leaning shelf is PERFECT for a dorm room!! Easy to build with common lumber!
24. Freestanding Easy Build Closet
Image Credit: Ana White
Skill Level: | Intermediate Advanced |
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Tools Needed: | Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Safety Glasses |
Materials: | 1x4 boards |
Not enough closet space? This FREE STANDING easy to build closet will add storage! It's a SUPER EASY build too, and easy to take apart.
25. Lightweight Bookshelves
Image Credit: Ana White
Skill Level: | Intermediate |
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Tools Needed: | Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Safety Glasses, Pocket Hole Jig |
Materials: | 2x2, 1x12, 1/4" plywood |
Add storage or even use as a room divider! These lightweight bookshelves are easy to pack into the dorm room and easy to pack out too!
26. Closet Tower
Image Credit: Ana White
Skill Level: | Intermediate Advanced |
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Tools Needed: | Tape Measure, Saw, Drill, Sander, Safety Glasses, Pocket Hole Jig |
Materials: | 2x2s, 1x material, screw, pocket hole screws, brad nails, wood glue |
A narrow but tall, freestanding solution to not enough closet space! Add a back to create a room divider too!