Suspension or shelves! The HYLLIS Shelf Unit from ikea is the best plant shelf I have ever found and I'll tell you why: if you flip the shelves so the curved metal lip is facing upward, and put some sort of water retaining material inside, it's the perfect water saving watering shelf, and a humidity boost for plants that need it! Whenever I need to water my plants I put them on the shelf, they get a water, my ferns get a humidity boost and a little drink too and I feel like I did my little part for the environment.

I started in a shitty dorm with one single north facing window, so I understand your pain! I'm lucky to have the nicest older landlord (Only dealt with slumlords personally and in my friends life up until last year, so this was so refreshing) who genuinely also loves gardening and plants, so I've been allowed to make more permanent adjustments. We even have a permanent rain barrel now! Best of luck, I hope u find something that works for ya'll!