This Howard University RA’s Dorm Is a Y2K Dream (I Love the Pink Fridge!)
Dorm (single)
Howard University
Contemporary
Glam
Y2K
Washington DC
Mirabella Gibson (@meehabelle on Instagram, @freckles314 on TikTok) loves “the nostalgic feeling of the 2000s” that she gets whenever she’s in her Howard University dorm. She says the aesthetic of her room reminds her of her childhood, and Mirabella channeled the 2000s vibe by filling her space with pops of pink, cheetah print, and, of course, some Hello Kitty decor.
As a Residential Assistant (RA), she even printed pink Hello Kitty signs for her door to indicate whether she’s in her room, in case her residents or friends want to drop by! Here’s everything to know about Mirabella’s Y2K-inspired dorm room.
Mirabella’s Space
How did you end up in this space? I found this space through Howard University Residential Life when I first lived here freshman year. I am a sophomore Residential Assistant (RA) here, so I was assigned this dormitory again!
My first impression was that its rooms were a bit on the smaller side, but with the help of the friends I made along the way, and decorating my space to be homey, I made it work!
What do you like about your space? The thing I love most about my space is that it represents me as a person — I am big on cheetah prints, glam, and the colors red and pink, all of which is reflected in my room.
What is your space best known for? Since I am an RA and my room is bigger than others, my space is known to be the study and hangout spot for my residents and friends! Everyone loves to come over just to chat during my candy hours, or even take a nap between classes if they live off campus. My room has a comfy vibe since I always keep my sunlamp on instead of the overhead lights.
What was the biggest challenge in decorating your space? I had a few challenges in decorating my space, [including] operating on a small budget — my goal for my space was to be as decorative but as cheap as possible. I was not trying to spend a lot of money just to make my space look decent.
Another challenge was working with my layout. Thankfully, I was given a big space to fit not only my couch, but my TV as well. Making the room layout aesthetically pleasing — keeping in mind that I have a corner room with two windows and windowsills on two sides of the room — was definitely challenging. It took a few days to figure out how I wanted my room to be laid out, but with the help of my mom, we made it work!
Mirabella’s Style
How would you define your personal home style? My personal style is minimalistic, but also includes lots of leopard print and shades of pink, white, and red. What inspires my interior design is Y2K, Hello Kitty, and my childhood. I like reliving what my mom used to dress me up in, and I overall like the nostalgic feeling of the 2000s whenever I step foot in my room.
What is your favorite element of your space? My favorite thing about my space is my couch — I love it! It is big and comfortable, and acts as a second bed for me and my friends.
Mirabella’s Budget
How much does your housing cost per semester? $7,554.
Do you have anyone helping to fund your housing? Yes, I get free housing through Howard University.
How much did it cost to decorate your space? Roughly $500.
Do you have anyone helping to fund your decor? Yes, my parents!
Do you pay for your living expenses? No.
How do you earn your income? Through a work-study program (I’m an RA).
What was your biggest splurge for this space? My couch — it was around $200.
What was your best budget find for this space and how much did it cost? My couch was originally listed at $1,300, but we were able to pay $200 for it at a discounted furniture store!
Mirabella’s Advice
What small space tips do you have? Do not bring your whole wardrobe to campus! I know it can be challenging choosing the right clothes to keep or leave behind, but you will do yourself a favor in the long haul to bring clothes that fit the season [you’re packing for].
Also, try to make your space as comforting as possible! Remember: you want a comfy room that you can come back to after a long day of classes. You can include a TV, futon, beanbag chair, or anything that speaks to you!
Finally, before I came to Howard I downloaded the app Home Planner, which allows you to envision your space and play with a virtual setup of your room. This app really saved us time!
What is your proudest product hack? My biggest achievement is that most decorations in my room were found at a discounted price. We made it work with what we could find from discount retailers!
This submission’s responses were edited for length and clarity.
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