<p>Are wicker baskets common storage for a dorm? Are they good? or are the plastic bins the better buy?</p>
<p>Wicker are generally not as sturdy, accumulate dust, and are not as easily stackable.</p>
<p>As you plan, try to determine the height of the beds. Sometimes they are on risers about 2 feet up - that gives you more storage options. For the long distance kids that need to store suitcases, it’s really helpful.</p>
<p>“Two metal frame beds, 36”wide x 80"long with 12 1/4” clearance underneath. Reinforced plastic risers are the only permitted method to increase the clearance (by about 6 inches)." So they would be roughly 16" of clearance… not even 1.5 feet of clearance. Beds cannot be lofted, by the way. I just don’t really like the look of plastic, but there’s only a desk and wardrobe in terms of other furniture/storage so I just have to suck it up, I guess! Calm the inner decorator in me.</p>
<p>My kiddo had under bed plastic bins that had wheels. They were great…providing lots of storage. The comforter hung down to the floor so you really couldn’t see those bins.</p>
<p>The most practical and durable storage for under the bed is the plastic containers with lids. They are sturdy for moving in and out of the dorm/apartments year after year. Plus, they can take alot more of the daily use/abuse than the wicker. Dorm rooms attract alot of dirt, dust, etc…it’s nice to be able to keep things clean and dust free in a sealed plastic container. You can always hid the container under the bed with a bed skirt or a long comforter.</p>
<p>Plastic bins. The brand doesn’t matter. They even come on rollers for easy moving if you want. Trick for transport is to seal them with some tape or a bungy cord that goes around the box. One will otherwise spill. </p>
<p>A suggestion sometimes neglected: send or get a couple of boot trays for wet stuff. They can put wet shoes in them and put a drying rack on top of them for hand washed stuff or just wet hats and socks and stuff.</p>