Dorm Tours

This Northwestern Sophomore’s “Penthouse” Is Filled with Dopamine Decor (It’s So Good!)

Collette Reitz
Collette ReitzSpecial Projects Editor
Working across AT Media brands, I see through the completion of large-scale editorial projects from their inception. I've worked as an editor in digital media for nearly seven years, covering food and trending news at Elite Daily before coming to ATM. I love using em dashes and running along the Chicago lakefront.
published Jan 15, 2025
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Home Type

Dorm (double)

School

Northwestern University

Style

Bohemian

Eclectic

Vintage

Location

Chicago, Evanston, Illinois

Square feet

210

Sq ft

210

Lights strung across white wall in dorm
Credit: Victoria Ryan

A lucky draw in a housing lottery helped Northwestern University sophomore Victoria Ryan score a coveted double room on the top floor of a dorm. Known to her and her friends as the “penthouse,” Victoria filled her dorm with what makes her happy (aka dopamine decor), creating a meaningful space where she can study, rest, and just hang out. 

Here’s how Victoria made some of her freshman year decor and bedding feel fresh in this new room with touches like twinkle lights, a map wall, and a bargain of a futon. 

Credit: Victoria Ryan

Victoria’s Space

How’d you end up in this space? My roommate’s rowing teammate lived in this room last year, and she told us about it. I absolutely loved all of the natural lighting and how big the room was, as well as the giant closets. My school has a lottery system for second-year housing, and I was fortunate enough to draw a high number and secure us the room. It is on the top floor, which consists of my double and one other double room, a bathroom shared between the four of us, a small living area with a couch, and a balcony. 

Now that you’ve made it your own, what specifically do you love about it? My favorite decor item is our map wall. My roommate and I found vintage maps from the 1920s of our home states at a flea market. I brought a world map print from home that I found at a boutique in Northern Michigan to fit the theme. We hung them above our futon and the neutral tones with the warm lighting tie in really well together.

What’s your space best known for? We affectionately call our dorm “the penthouse.” We have become the hangout spot for our friend group, and have had friends from out of town stay on our futon. Our room has become a meeting spot before a night out, and a place for long nights of studying and game nights.

Victoria’s Style

Define your personal home style. Instead of fitting an exact aesthetic, I fill my space with things that make me happy. I love earth tones and warm lighting, so there is a lot of that in this space. Most of my wall decor is things I brought from home or found while thrifting near campus and in Chicago. I also have a lot of plants, both real and fake.

I absolutely love my windows. They bring so much natural lighting into the room, and I get a sunset view each night over campus.

What’s your proudest DIY or product hack? I made some of my dorm decor! My calendar is a quarantine project using paint samples and a picture frame, and I hand-designed the Noah Kahan print on Canva before my freshman year.

What’s your favorite element of your space? My favorite decor item is our map wall. My roommate and I found vintage maps from the 1920s of our home states at a flea market. I brought a world map print from home that I found at a boutique in Northern Michigan to fit the theme. We hung them above our futon, and the neutral tones with the warm lighting tie in really well together.

Credit: Victoria Ryan

Victoria’s Budget

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? $3,956 per quarter (there are 3 quarters in an academic year)

Do you have anyone helping to fund your housing? Northwestern generously provides some financial aid.

How much did it cost to decorate your space? I have reused my bedding, picture frames, lights, and decor from freshman year (total cost around $450). The only real purchase this year was the futon, which I split with my roommate (around $100).

Do you have anyone helping to fund your decor? I used high school graduation money to buy the majority of decor.

Do you pay for your living expenses? No

How do you earn your income? Work Study Program

What was your biggest splurge for this space, and how much did it cost? The futon. It was from Walmart on sale for $100.

What was your best budget find for this space, and how much did it cost? The closet curtains were only $15 on sale from Wayfair. They close off my closet and make the space look much cleaner.

Credit: Victoria Ryan
Poppin Box Seat Charcoal; $39.99, at The Container Store

Victoria’s Advice

What was your biggest challenge in designing your apartment? My biggest challenge was figuring out how to fill the walls with decor. My dorm last year was much smaller, so I had a lot of extra wall space to fill. However, it was a fun challenge, as it inspired me to get creative and find or make things that displayed my personality.

What’s your best design tip? A three-tiered cart is a must-have for every dorm room. It is so versatile and holds so much. I use mine as a communal snack cart next to our fridge, but you can use it as a bedside table, a cleaning supply holder, or so much more. I also bought a cube storage ottoman before my freshman year.

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

Share your style: Dorm Tour Submission Form

Collette Reitz

Special Projects Editor

I've worked in digital media for more than seven years — first as a writer, and then as a weekend and full-time editor. I began as a daily trending news writer for Elite Daily and then expanded my coverage as an editor into tech, food, social media, health, current events, and politics. I've collaborated with colleagues to create many exciting packages throughout my career, like Elite Daily's Money Issue, which aimed to help Gen Z better understand their personal finances. More recently, I helped launch Apartment Therapy and The Kitchn's "Happy Hosting!" vertical, packed with clever solutions for making holiday celebrations less stressful. I've also covered exciting product launches, including an Apple iPhone reveal in Cupertino, California. I've been lucky enough to interview accomplished individuals, including former WNBA star Sue Bird, Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman, and the iconic Dolly Parton.What I love most about digital media is connecting with readers. My goal is always to create well-researched content that impacts someone's day, whether that's offering practical solutions and reliable information or just providing a laugh with a well-placed pop-culture reference.

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