This Miami University Dorm Is Decked Out in Disco Balls, Sequins, and So Much Pink
Dorm (double)
Miami University
Colorful
Maximalist
160
Oxford, Ohio
Ruby Darmanin (@rubydarmanin on Instagram and TikTok) decorated her freshman dorm at Miami University with a very specific goal in mind: to make it feel like home. To achieve that, she says, she knew it had to mirror “the inside of [her] brain: sparkly and pink!” Complete with ribbon banners, disco balls, and beaded pillows, she absolutely nailed her vision — so it’s no surprise her friends refer to her space as “the Fancy Nancy room”! From her favorite DIY to her best budget find, read on to see everything Ruby has to say about her dreamy dorm.
Ruby’s Space
How did you find this space? I was randomly assigned to [this room], and I really didn’t know what to expect before showing up. I had some measurements, but it was apparent that they were wrong as soon as I got there!
Now that you’ve made it your own, what specifically do you love about your space? I knew I wanted my space to feel like home, so that meant making it feel like the inside of my brain: sparkly and pink! I love arts and crafts, so creating lots of wall art was super fun. I thrifted a lot of pieces, and even ordered stuff from my favorite artist to complete the space.
Something I specifically love about my space is my sequin curtains that cover my closet. They are super sparkly and reflect the light when the sun shines through my window. I also love my ribbon banner that I made before move-in that hangs above my bed.
What is your space best known for? People always call it “the Fancy Nancy room”! People just love hanging out and talking in here, or just looking around at the endless items hanging from every possible spot.
What was the biggest challenge in decorating your space? It was difficult to work with a space that I had never seen before, and planning everything to match was even harder, but I am so type B that it all worked out exactly the way I wanted to (surprisingly). I wasn’t working with a specific budget, but I tried to DIY most of my decor. The natural lighting in my dorm is nice throughout the day, but the overhead light is too harsh for night, so me and my roommate bought warm-toned lightbulbs to make it feel cozier.
Ruby’s Style
How would you define your personal home style? Maximalist.
What is your favorite element of your space? I love EVERYTHING! I am a big fan of disco balls, so maybe my disco balls throughout my room are my favorite. I also love my wall art. Some of it is handmade, and others are from my favorite artists!
Ruby’s Budget
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? $4,500.
Do you have anyone helping to fund your housing? My parents.
How much did it cost to decorate your space? [I’m] estimating $500.
Do you have anyone helping to fund your decor? No.
Do you pay for your living expenses? Partially.
How do you earn your income? Part-time job and side hustle.
What was your biggest splurge for this space? The rug! It was about $300 and my roommate and I split the cost.
What was your best budget find for this space and how much did it cost? My [floor] mirror was from Walmart and only $70. It is really nice quality and I love it!
Ruby’s Advice
What small space tips do you have? Underneath my bed there are two 3-tiered drawers zip-tied together to create six drawers. They roll out and I have extra drawers for more clothes!
What is your proudest DIY or product hack? I am most proud of my ribbon banner that I made myself! It took a while, but it was so fun and made it feel more like home since I have one in my room at home, too.
This submission’s responses were edited for length and clarity.
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