This Hampton University Dorm Proves Minimal Can Still Feel Cozy

Hampton University freshman Lauren Maddox’s dorm makeover is full of little hacks. From using contact paper to freshen up dorm-issue furniture, to DIYing her own headboard, to putting painter’s tape beneath her peel-and-stick wallpaper to protect the walls, her space proves that a few decorating tips can go a long way. With soft lighting and minimal decor, the biology major turned the spacious double dorm into a peaceful place to unwind after long days of classes and labs.

How did you end up in this space? I found this space through TikTok and social media while I was looking up Hampton University freshman dorms. Since freshmen only have a few housing options, I wanted to see real videos and honest reviews from students before choosing. Honestly, I didn’t pick it for any super specific reason — it just felt like the right option at the time. My first impression was that it was really spacious, which I loved, but it definitely needed some work. It had a good layout, but it didn’t feel personal or cozy yet.

What do you love about your space after making it your own? Once I started decorating and making it my own, everything changed. Now I genuinely love it. It finally feels like home. I added soft lighting, neutral tones, and small personal touches that make it feel calm and comforting, especially after long days of classes, labs, and being on the go. One of my favorite parts is that my mom helped me bring the whole vision to life. We planned everything together, and that made the process really special. Now when I walk into my room, it doesn’t just feel like a dorm — it feels like a space that reflects me. It’s peaceful, it’s personal, and it’s somewhere I can reset and just be myself.

What is your room best known for? My space is definitely known as a place to relax and unwind. It has a really calm, peaceful vibe, so it’s somewhere I can reset after busy days of classes and everything that comes with college life. We also have a projector in the room, which makes it really fun. We love doing little movie nights, especially when we just want to stay in and relax. It’s the perfect mix of cozy and calming, so it naturally became a go-to spot for unwinding. Overall, it’s less of a busy hangout space and more of a comfort zone.

How would you define your personal home style? I’d describe my personal home style as clean, simple, and a little bit girly. I love soft colors like pink and blue, but I like using them in a subtle way so the space still feels calm and put-together. I like keeping things simple, but still cute and intentional. I don’t like a lot of clutter — I prefer pieces that are minimal but still make the space feel pretty and cozy. For me, it’s all about balance: soft colors, clean lines, and small details that make everything feel elevated. More than anything, I want my space to feel relaxing. Being in college can be really busy, so I love having a room that feels peaceful and calm when I walk in. I like spaces that feel light, cozy, and a little luxurious, but still warm and personal.

What’s your favorite element of your space? It’s hard to choose just one favorite thing because I really love every part of my space, but if I had to pick, I’d say my bedside table. I use it constantly, so it’s one of the most functional parts of my room. It keeps everything I need within reach, which makes my space feel really convenient and comfortable. I also love that it’s cute and practical at the same time; it adds to the overall look of my room while still serving a purpose. It might seem like a small detail, but it’s one of those pieces that really pulls everything together and makes the space feel complete.

What’s your proudest DIY hack? My proudest DIY is definitely my headboard because it’s 100% handmade. We used a foam board as the base and wrapped it in fabric to give it that soft, upholstered feel. To make it stand out, we added a cute blue fabric rope detail around the edges, which gave it a really custom, elevated look. It was actually a pretty affordable project compared to buying a traditional headboard. Most of the materials were simple and easy to find, and the whole process didn’t take long — just a few hours of putting it together and attaching everything properly. I love it because it completely transformed the bed area and made the room feel more finished and cozy. It’s one of those pieces that makes the space feel unique since it was made specifically for my room.

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? $3,900.

Do you have anyone helping to fund your housing? My parents.

Do you have anyone helping to fund your decor? My parents.

Do you pay for your living expenses? No.

What was your biggest splurge for this space? My biggest splurge was definitely my bedding. I really wanted my bed to feel cozy and put together since it’s the focal point of the room, so I invested a little more there. Between the comforter, pillows, and a good mattress pad to make the bed more comfortable, it probably cost around $200-$300.

What was your best budget find? My best budget find was my DIY headboard. Instead of buying a traditional one, we made it ourselves using foam board, fabric, and rope detailing. It probably cost around $50–$80 total.

What was your biggest challenge in decorating your space? One of the biggest challenges was not fully knowing what I was walking into before move-in. I committed to Hampton in May, but I didn’t really start decorating until January, so I didn’t have a clear plan early on.

Another challenge was having a random roommate. We hadn’t talked much about how we wanted the space to feel, and I didn’t want to come in and take over the room, even though I had a vision for how I wanted my side to look. Once we moved in, we realized our aesthetics were actually different, but in a good way.

There were also dorm restrictions to work around. For example, we weren’t originally allowed to use wallpaper, so we used painter’s tape underneath peel-and-stick wallpaper so it wouldn’t damage the walls. I also used contact paper to give the older desk furniture a cleaner look. Logistics were another challenge. We drove about nine hours from home, so we couldn’t bring everything and had to figure a lot of things out once we arrived. 

What’s an understated tip you think people should know? Communication with your roommate is really important. Talking before move-in about cleanliness, boundaries, and how you want the space to feel can make sharing a small room much easier. Planning ahead also helps save money. Making an Amazon list before move-in helped me stay organized and avoid overspending.

One tip I also always recommend is staying consistent with cleaning. I reset my space every Sunday so things don’t pile up. I also use cute storage bins and buckets to maximize space without making the room feel cluttered.

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

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