A Slate Lowdown has one door open to reveal a jumble of items inside. On top are some coffee table books and camera equipment.

How to hack your dorm room

August 23, 2023

Heading to college? Staying on campus promises lots of things: friendships, parties, and the luxury of rolling out of bed a whole two minutes before your class is due to start.

It also promises a pretty tight squeeze! When you're sharing a space, living quarters can get cozy, quick. Square footage isn't usually high on the list of dorm room benefits, so finding storage solutions that don't eat up your floorspace is key.

But it's not all about function. Part of the joy of a college room is getting to decorate it to your taste. Whether it's through your favorite color scheme, something that reminds you of home, or a place to show off your coaster collection, expressing yourself is part of the fun!

Luckily for you, we know a place where pretty meets practical, and it's just perfect for a dorm room glow-up. Welcome to the land of Mustard, where lockers are the key to your dorm room dream.

A Lowdown in Slate is decorated with coffee table books and photography equipment. There is a ring light next to it.

tricks for tricky spaces

When floor space is tight, every inch counts. The solution? Lockers! With shapes and styles to suit even the most awkward of nooks and crannies, you're bound to find a locker to suit your needs. Got a dead space below shelving or hanging space? Pop The Lowdown in to maximize storage without taking up more room. Got a narrow space that nothing really fits in? Utilise vertical space and go up with The Midi.

express yourself

When it comes to storage, too often functionality means going for something that does the job but lacks personality. That's definitely not the case when it comes to Mustard! Pick your favorite color from our 11-strong rainbow, and we guarantee it will be a talking point in your dorm. Plus, looking at your lovely locker will spark joy even in the middle of the exam period.

lock up tight

One thing that you won't find a whole lot of in a dorm? Privacy. While we don't recommend hiding in your locker to get some time to yourself, at least you know you can lock your secrets inside for safekeeping. It's like one of those old-school diaries with the lock, but much cooler!

A Mustard Midi sits against an exposed brick wall below an industrial style window. There are books, plants and records scattered around.

multi-tasking magic

Got commitment issues? Don't worry. Lockers are designed to be super versatile. We've seen them be used for under-desk storage, wardrobes, office organization, as a pantry, craft and sports gear, as a shoe rack, a bookshelf, a TV cabinet, a side table, a buffet, and so much more! If you're prone to rearranging, you'll love how easily a locker can jump from one job to another.

flat pack, flat out

If the thought of a pre-semester trip to Ikea gives you chills — and not in a good way — breathe a sigh of relief. Here at Mustard, we love flatpack. Seriously. You won't be working up a sweat trying to interpret how step 73 expects you to connect bracket C to hinge F without the use of a welder. Promise! We make it our mission to make building our lockers a breeze. All you need is a crosshead screwdriver and a pair of hands or two. We've even created some lovely videos to walk you through it. You've got this!

take it with you

One of the very best things about a Mustard Made locker is that it's not a short-term purchase. This is not a piece of grey melamine that you'll want to leave in your dorm room when you go. It's a piece you'll be able to love — and keep — for years to come. Turn your dorm room shoe storage into your first home's TV cabinet or your study nook storage into a grown-up bar cart. The options are endless! Dismantling them is just as easy as building them, so you can flat-pack them off to their new home with you.