This University of Arkansas Dorm Blends Vintage Finds, Ralph Lauren Vibes, and Budget Decor

How did you find this space? I found my dorm through the University of Arkansas housing selection process. Housing was first come, first served, and our selection time was based on when we signed our housing contracts. I signed mine pretty late, but luckily, my roommate signed his early and was able to reserve our room for both of us. 

What drew you to the space you chose? We chose this space because it is a nice, very social dorm with our own bathroom and a shared living space with our other two roommates. 

What was your first impression of your space? When I first walked in on move-in day, the room felt small and empty, although the bathroom was surprisingly big. Once we added a couch, rugs, TVs, flags, and lots of decorations, the space completely changed. We also added LED light poles, sunset lamps, and other lamps, and we almost never use the big overhead light. We wanted the space to feel welcoming, relaxing, and like a vibe. After decorating, it felt less like a small dorm and more like a home we actually had space to live in.

Now that you’ve made it your own, what specifically do you love about your space? My favorite part is my desk area because I made it feel perfectly me, perfectly UARK, and cool. I tied the colors throughout my room together, used a lot of antique and flea market finds, and added pictures of my friends and family to the pinboard above my desk. I use it for schoolwork, watching movies, and hanging out. I also have prints and decorations that reflect things I enjoy.

What do you value most about your space? Our room is almost always filled with music, and we are constantly talking, singing, laughing, or goofing around. I got lucky that my roommates all have immaculate music taste, and we each bring different vibes to the space. We also have a whiteboard on our door where we write funny questions and polls, which gets people to stop and interact with us and brings our floor together. The closeness of everyone in our co-ed building makes college feel like one big sleepover or party instead of being away from home. I genuinely would not want anything different. I would describe my space as curated, authentic, full, welcoming, and lively.

What is your space best known for? My room is best known as our place to unwind after a long day of classes, especially after walking up the huge hills at UARK. It’s where we can come back, get comfortable, and just hang out without having to worry about everything else going on. Whether we’re lying around, talking about our day, watching something, or just taking a break, it’s our little escape from the craziness of college life.

How would you describe your personal home style? Vintage Americana with a Ralph Lauren-inspired collegiate, preppy, and eclectic feel. I combined my favorite colors: navy, a deep red, and whites/creams.

What was your proudest DIY? I started collecting things for my room in the months leading up to moving into college, which gave me time to find pieces that actually fit the style I wanted. I found a lot of unique pieces at antique stores and slowly built the room instead of buying everything at once. 

One of my favorite parts of the process was finding prints I liked, printing them myself, backing them, and putting them into frames. It was a really inexpensive way to get artwork that fit my exact style without paying for expensive prints or artwork. 

I was also very intentional about staying on a budget. I didn’t want to spend thousands of dollars on my dorm room, so I looked for affordable alternatives and found ways to make things myself when I could. The room came together over several months, with the final decorating and arranging happening around move-in. I think collecting pieces over time and finding creative, inexpensive ways to decorate is what made the room feel personal while still giving it the vintage Americana, Ralph Lauren-inspired look I wanted.

In an effort to remove the stigma associated with talking about money in college, we’re asking students to share how they plan and budget for their space.

How much does your housing cost per semester? $6,067 per semester.

Do you have anyone helping to fund your housing? No.

How much did it cost to decorate your space? Around $650.

Do you have anyone helping to fund your decor? My parents and grandparents helped some.

Do you pay for your living expenses? Yes.

How do you earn your income? Work-study.

What was your biggest splurge for this space and how much did it cost? My duvet cover from Petite Plume which was $148.

What was your best budget find for this space and how much did it cost? My prints, in total, cost around $65.

What was the biggest challenge in decorating your space? My biggest challenge was decorating on a budget. I didn’t want to spend thousands of dollars on my room because, well, I don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on my room. I also had to work with the limited space and the layout of a dorm room while still making it feel personal and intentional. 

I wanted a vintage Americana, Ralph Lauren-inspired look, so I focused on finding affordable pieces, shopping sales, using things I already had, and mixing higher-quality statement pieces with inexpensive decor. I tried to make the most of the space I had without overcrowding it or sacrificing functionality.

What small space decorating tips do you have? Get storage containers, talk to your roommate before moving in, and rearrange your room however you want!

This submission’s responses were edited for length and clarity.

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