The Back to School season is upon us and we want you to be completely prepared, so once again we enlisted professional organizer, Barbara Reich to help you get ready! She gave us her top tips for how to get organized, and stay organized so your transition from the relaxed days of summer to the fast-paced, new semester is that much easier!

CD: Living in NYC, you really have to utilize every bit of space you have, and the same is true of dorm rooms.  What would you suggest to our college students as the most effective way to store linens and clothes?

BR: I suggest storing linens and bulky clothes in underbed storage boxes.  I also would advise against bringing more than 2 sets of sheets (one of which is on the bed) and 4 towels. The fewer things you have to store, the more space you’ll have.

[We love that these underbed drawers (bellow) from The Container Store slide out for easy access to items]

CD: While we are on the topic of dorms, what are some of the best ways to maximize space in these rooms, so that they don’t feel cluttered and cramped?

BR: In a dorm room, you have to take advantage of every inch of space. Also, make sure you utilize all of the vertical wall space. Maybe you can add a set of stackable, plastic drawers for additional storage.  Maybe you can add shelves over a desk.  Be creative!

[We like the fun, floral pattern on  these stack-able desk drawers (right). If they don't match your decor, you can find a plethora of colors and patterns also at The Container Store!]

CD: It can be hard to keep a room clean once the school year starts, what do you suggest as a great way to help get organized and stay organized?

BR: Staying organized is a commitment.  If you want to stay organized, you need to spend 10 minutes a day putting everything in its place and discarding what you don’t need.  The problem people have is that they let it slip for a day, then a week, then a month.  At that point, it feels overwhelming to get things back under control.

CD: We focused mainly on the older back to school crowd for this post, but we still remembered the younger students in your family.

[Take a look at these Dwell Studio owls storage bins. Not only are they great for keeping toys out of the way, but you can also put school books or supplies in them!]

Take Barbara’s advice on how to stay tidy, and your space is sure to stay neat and organized. Don’t forget to tell us how her tips helped you!