August 18, 2023

Written by Natalie Aldridge.

My dorm room was perched on the 26th floor of a Manhattan high rise. And that is where the glamour ended. While my view was dreamy and certainly provided me with a few pinch-me moments as an eighteen-year-old living on my own for the first time, the dorm room itself was an absurdly expensive concrete box with horrid lighting, bunk beds, and cold floors that would sweat in the summer humidity.

We had a strict policy of no upholstery and rugs, so any hope of quelling the surgical feel of the room with something plush was out the window. My black and white embroidered Restoration Hardware duvet that coordinated with my roommate’s was a point of pride. And, with limited wall space and a pack of poster tack, I tried my hardest to make my space a reflection of my style.

As the back-to-school season has come once again in full swing, my Tik-Tok feed (sorry, guilty pleasure) has been flooded with enthusiastic young ladies proudly showing off their completed dorm rooms that are nothing short of luxe. A favorite, Kaylyn Darnell of the University of Alabama, went viral last year for documenting her sorority rush experience and most notably her dorm room. With over two and a half million views, her bubbly personality and Chanel themed room struck a chord.

@kylan_darnell DORM TOUR #bama #bamarush #rush #bamarushtok ♬ Follow me – Denis✌️

This year Darnell took to TikTok once again to give a grand tour of her bedroom in the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority house. A culture wildly unfamiliar to me, I was blown away by the level of detail, sophistication, and pride. More so than ever before, dorm rooms have become a vibrant display of aesthetics. Follow the hashtags #DormRoom and #DormDecor, and you’ll step into a world of videos where students unveil their magical makeovers, turning once barren spaces into lively havens.

@kylan_darnell ZTA ROOM TOUR #bamarushtok #bamarushtok2023 #rush #bama #soroity #bamarush ♬ Life in the Dreamhouse (From the TV Series) – Barbie

And it doesn’t stop there. According to Town & Country, some students have taken to hiring interior designers to outfit their dorm rooms. Designers such as Mississippi-based After Five Designs and Essentials with Eden have garnered a substantial following with their dorm decorating services. With zeal and flair, they handle every aspect, starting from those initial exciting conversations, all the way through the hunt for perfect pieces, culminating in the exhilarating installations that breathe life into these student sanctuaries.

@camsfaulkinglife DORM ROOM TOUR 2023!!! SO HAPPY At the University of Alabama ???????????????? #movingout #moving #moveinday #moveintogether #alabamatiktok #theuniversityofalabama #collegedorm #collegedormtour ♬ original sound – camryn faulkner

From upholstered headboards that cleverly fit over the wooden bed posts to peel-and-stick wallpaper and perfectly curated decor throughout, the dorms of today seem to be a far cry from what I experienced not too long ago. I have to say, I love it! The chance to express yourself and craft a sophisticated oasis even with the tiniest of canvases – it’s a recipe for nurturing a deep love for your space and embracing the art of living beautifully. There is nothing The Glam Pad celebrates more!