Courtney Balestier

If you have a small closet — aka a dorm room closet — you know that keeping all your clothes, shoes, and accessories organized is a constant challenge. Add in a few hurried mornings and some quick outfit changes between class and dinner with friends, and your closet can feel like an obstacle course of yoga leggings and going-out tops.

When the semester is in full swing, your schedule is nonstop. But even on the days you barely have a minute to pop by your dorm room, it’s important that your space helps you feel ready for anything.Peyton Koch, a student at Central College, wanted to add a bit of decor that would also help keep her organized.

College is a time of intensive learning, and we’re not just talking about the classroom. These four years are also about learning how to live on your own — which might mean figuring out for the first time how to do laundry or keep surfaces clear of clutter. (Turns out there wasn’t a tiny elf who did that in the middle of the night.)In this new phase of adulting, a little help goes a long way: like college essentials from IKEA.

Whether you live in the dorms or off campus, your college space should feel like the home it is: a place that you want to hang out in after a long day of classes or a marathon study sesh. Your room should reflect your style and personality, without breaking any pesky rules about how you can and can’t alter your space.Nyjah Harris, a student at Old Dominion University, wanted to add a few personal touches to her off-campus bedroom to make it feel more like her own.

A well-designed dorm room is a gold medalist in small-space living: a tiny, often shared, space that has to support studying, relaxing, and socializing — plus score style points! It’s a decor challenge that’s actually pretty fun to solve. All it takes is a little planning and smart shopping.That’s to say, all it takes is a little IKEA.

Square foot for square foot, a dorm works way harder than your average room. It’s the place where you study for tests, unwind after a long day of classes, and hang out with friends — all while showing off your distinct style.Luckily, there’s a place where you can set yourself up for scholastic (and social) success, all while creating a living space that suits your unique aesthetic: Walmart.

For University of Miami architecture and interior design student Benedetto Rebecca, a beautiful home isn’t just a perk — it’s his major. When he lived in a dorm, he made the cinder-block space feel serene with textured curtains and warm neutral bedding. Now he shares a stylish off-campus house with friends, and he wanted to start the new school year by giving his bathroom a grown-up refresh on a student budget. “It felt a little too cold,” Benny says.