I Am So Copying The Adorable DIY “Notes Collage” in This Iowa State University Freshman’s Dorm
Dorm (double)
Iowa State University
Coastal
Colorful
182
Ames, Iowa
As soon as I saw photos of Alyssa Isabel Redd’s (@.alyssareads on Tiktok) Iowa State University dorm room, the light blue color scheme with pops of gold reminded me of a forget-me-not: She’s piled her bed with a mix of white and light blue pillows (I especially love her letter “A” throw pillow!) and blankets, and has a clustered arrangement of gold picture frames on the wall above.
Alyssa describes her style as “comforting, colorful, and calming,” and she’s channeled that in every part of her room — from a pennant garland hung over the window to twinkle lights strung across the ceiling, and a area rug that looks so cozy. Here’s what Alyssa has to say about her dorm.
Alyssa’s Space
What do you like about your space? My roommate and I were drawn to the bright spaces all throughout the building. I specifically love the big windows and how spacious the rooms are. I feel as though we have just enough space to fit everything we wanted to without feeling like our space was too crowded. My roommate and I decided not to loft our beds. This took up a lot of space, however, we have been able to fit a large amount of storage hidden under the beds.
What is your space best known for? My space is best known for a casual hangout. Whenever my friends want to chat, rant, or just hangout, my place is perfect. The low beds act as couches, and the closeness to the floor allows for easier conversation flow.
What was the biggest challenge in decorating your space? The biggest challenge I encountered when designing my space was maximizing the space I was given. It was important to me that I filled the space with things I love and that reminded me of home, but I didn’t want the space to feel cluttered and messy. To overcome this, I limited the decorations to my desk hutch and my gallery wall. This way, I had enough space for some of my favorite things, whilst also leaving room for new additions and not feeling overwhelmed by my space.
Alyssa’s Style
How would you define your personal home style? I would describe my home style as comforting, colorful, and calming. I like for my decorations to have a purpose and meaning behind them. I love keeping things in my space that remind me of my favorite people and places.
What is your favorite element of your space? My favorite thing about my space is my gallery wall. On it, I have photos of friends, pets, and family. I also created a collage of meaningful notes written to me by my loved ones throughout the years. I love looking up at it to remind myself of where I came from and that I have people who believe in me.
Alyssa’s Budget
How much does your housing cost per semester? $7,300.
Do you have anyone helping to fund your housing? No.
How much did it cost to decorate your space? About $350.
Do you have anyone helping to fund your decor? My family.
Do you pay for your living expenses? Partially.
How do you earn your income? Summer jobs.
What was your biggest splurge for this space? My nugget ice maker — it was $139.99.
What was your best budget find for this space and how much did it cost? My side table drawer. It cost $26.89.
Alyssa’s Advice
What small space tips do you have? Decorative hooks are amazing! I have several gold Command hooks that hold things like keys, coats, my robe, umbrellas, etc. This way, they are kept in a convenient location without standing out!
Also, my roommate and I got a comforter that was one size bigger than necessary. We allow the extra fabric to hang over the beds, providing cover to all of our storage bins and drawers underneath.
What is your proudest DIY or product hack? My proudest DIY hack has been hanging Christmas lights on our ceiling. Originally, we wanted to use LED lights, but we were afraid that the adhesive would cause damage. Using Christmas lights with command hooks instead has turned out to be an amazing alternative!
This submission’s responses were edited for length and clarity.
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