Considering a room revamp, but not sure where to begin—or how much to invest? In our latest series, One-Room Renos, we explore renovation projects big and small, from soft-good upgrades you can accomplish in a weekend to total overhauls that cost a small fortune and last for months (or longer).
Today, an interior designer and mother of a Purdue University student shares how she made a bare-bones double dorm room feel cozy and chic—without breaking the bank.
Tell us a bit about your dorm room decorating project.
My daughter and her roommate at Purdue are both on the dance team. They wanted their room to be comfortable and serene, with clean lines, a neutral aesthetic, and pops of pink.
What’s the rationale for a temporary project like this?
The girls love their room, and I think it inspires them to be tidy. When you have a pretty space, you want to keep it that way. Plus, some of the bigger-ticket items, like the headboard, can be used throughout their time in college.
What happened after you designed your daughter’s room?
My daughter posted a photo of her room on her Instagram, and I did, too. There was a big response. That led me to start Dorm Rooms of Purdue. I now help other parents with their kids’ dorm rooms—and not just at Purdue. I have one client in Dubai who hired me to help set up her son’s dorm room in Washington, D.C. Large construction projects are my bread and butter; this is more of a passion project.
What was the design process like?
They both pulled inspiration photos. Then we went back and forth with calls and texts for a couple months. We made a lot of plans but couldn’t finalize anything until we got our actual room assignment.
The dorms are having a housing crisis, sometimes putting three people in a two-person room. That means we didn’t know the size or layout or if we were going to have the extra-large twin beds or bunk beds, for starters. And even after we got the room assignment—in Meredith Hall, one of the older Purdue dorms—there were a lot of unknowns, since the college doesn’t give room dimensions or furniture measurements ahead of time.
How do you plan for a space when you don’t have measurements?
Luckily, I’ve worked as an interior designer for years, so it’s easy for me to see a space and have a sense of dimensions. I guessed about a few things, and my guesses were fairly accurate.
What’s the biggest challenge when designing a dorm room?
The biggest mistake you can make is to go overboard and cram too much in. People tend to think they can fit everything in there.
Were there any restrictions?
Besides space—the room is just 206 square feet—we couldn’t paint the walls and had to leave the curtains. I would’ve picked different curtains.
How did the installation process work?
Typically, the way a dorm-room install works is that each of the two roommates gets a different move-in time—but we chose to meet up at the same time and work together. Before we started, we cleaned and wiped everything down. Once the girls decided which side they wanted, we put the rug and furniture in place. After that, we brought in all the soft goods and everything else. The whole process took about six to eight hours.
How did you budget for the project?
My husband and I had set aside money because we knew this was coming.
How did you and the other mom decide on how to handle costs?
I asked if she was good with me doing most of the shopping, and could reimburse me. She agreed, so I sourced a lot of the stuff. We divided up the costs of the bigger items that the girls shared, like the fridge and microwave.
How did you create such a luxe look without spending a small fortune?
Everything looked expensive, but the prices were reasonable. You don’t have to spend a lot for good design—you just need to know where to shop.
Where do you shop?
I’m at Home Goods and T.J.Maxx several times every week for my interior design and home-staging business.
What was the shopping process like?
I scooped up deals as I found them. I found Kate Spade towels, bed-in-a-bag, and footstools at T.J.Maxx, for example.
What were some of the key purchases?
When you’re designing a small space, start with the rug. It’s easier to find bedding that matches the rug than vice versa. I also wanted to pick something that we wouldn’t hang onto past that year. These girls are very clean, but a dorm room rug is gross by the end of the year.
What did you do for art?
We made custom artwork to hang above the beds. Both girls chose to have the same artwork, so it matched. It ended up becoming so popular that I worked with and paid a fee to Purdue so I could use the Purdue name and Purdue colors legally and create affordable art prints for other kids. There’s so much artwork on Etsy that doesn’t pay these licensing fees, but I’m a rule-follower.
What about a TV?
I didn’t think the room would have space for a TV, but the other mother found a wire rack that was very sturdy, and they put it at the end of her daughter’s bed so both girls could watch TV. It was a good design choice because when you walked in, you didn’t see it.
Is there anything you chose not to buy?
A couch. People often ask me if they can fit a couch. You just can’t. You can’t make the room any bigger.
What do you love most about this dorm room?
How much my daughter loves it. Here’s what she has to say: “I’m glad we took the time to do this. I’m so busy with the dance team and my sorority, so it’s nice to have this space to come back to. All the decor makes our dorm room feel safe and very homey.”
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