How a San Diego State Freshman Created the “Best ‘Guy Room’ on the Floor”

Treyson Manfredi, a freshman finance major at San Diego State University, didn’t want his dorm to look like the “stereotype for guys’ rooms,” he says. Instead, he created a chill space with his two roommates that’s become known as the “best ‘guy room’ on the floor.” Treyson (@trey.manfr3di on Instagram; @trey.manfr3di on TikTok) says making that happen was all about the lighting, plus some supersmart vintage purchases and DIYs. 

How’d you end up in this space? I ended up in this space mostly through a random assignment, but I honestly got pretty lucky. When I first walked in, I wasn’t expecting much — most guys’ rooms are a mess and not really somewhere you’d want to hang out. But when I saw this place, I was pleasantly surprised. It actually felt like a space I could make my own. 

What really drew me to it was the lighting. I’m all about that ambient vibe, especially with warm colors like yellow, red, and orange. It gives the room such a cozy, chill atmosphere, and I love how the lighting completely changes the mood of the space. Whether I’m studying or just kicking back, it makes the room feel like home. 

Now that you’ve made the space your own, what specifically do you love about it? What’s cool about my room is that it’s not like most guys’ rooms, which are usually full of clutter. You know the stereotype — dirty clothes everywhere, snack wrappers on the floor, and not exactly a fun place to be. But that’s not the vibe I wanted. I keep it clean, organized, and actually a pretty fun place to hang out in. It’s just got a good energy to it that makes it enjoyable to be in. 

The best part about my room, though, is the decor. Everything in here is thrifted, and I love that. There’s something about picking up a cool piece at a secondhand shop that just feels more personal. It’s a mix of random items that somehow come together, and it really reflects my style. Plus, it’s budget-friendly, so I can make the space feel unique without breaking the bank. 

Now that I’ve had time to settle in, this room has really become my space. It’s not just somewhere I crash at the end of the day — it’s a place I’m proud of. The lighting, the clean vibe, the thrifted decor — everything just makes it feel like it’s mine, and I love that.

What’s your space best known for? Being the cleanest and best “guy room” on the floor. People always comment on how neat, cozy, and put-together it feels. It’s got great vibes — warm lighting, chill decor, and just an overall atmosphere that makes you want to hang out and stay a while. It’s a solid mix of laid-back and intentional, and that’s what really makes it stand out.

Define your personal home style: ​​I’d describe my style as cozy vintage, with a big emphasis on creating a warm, lived-in atmosphere. I love surrounding myself with nostalgic pieces — like vinyl covers, retro posters, and mid-century modern touches — that give my space character and a sense of personal history.

What’s your favorite element of your space? Lighting is hands-down my favorite part of my dorm setup. It’s what gives the whole space its warm, cozy vibe, and I’ve put a lot of thought into each light source.

The big paper lantern-style lamp hanging from the ceiling is actually from Japan — it was one of the first pieces I got, and it really sets the tone for the whole room. I paired it with an orb light from IKEA, but swapped out the regular bulb for a color-changing one from Amazon, so I can switch up the mood depending on how I’m feeling. On my desk I’ve got a sunlight lamp (also from Amazon) that adds this soft, reddish glow that’s super calming — especially at night.

Each light plays its part, and together they make the room feel more like a personal sanctuary than just a dorm. It’s cozy, chill, and super intentional.

What’s your proudest DIY or product hack? One of my proudest DIY moments was actually a super-simple but game-changing lighting hack. The bulb inside my big paper lantern used to be this harsh, bright white, which totally killed the cozy vibe I was going for. So I decided to spray-paint the bulb a soft orange — just lightly enough to tint it — and it came out perfect. It gives off this warm, ambient glow now that totally transforms the room, and I’m really proud of how it turned out considering it was kind of an experiment.

Another thing I love is this peace symbol I welded with my grandpa back home. It’s not technically a “product hack,” but it’s such a personal piece of decor. It brings a bit of home into my space and reminds me of that moment we shared, so it means a lot to have it here with me.

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? $1,400-$1,500.

Do you have anyone helping to fund your housing? Grandparents, parents, and me.

Do you pay for your living expenses? Partially.

How do you earn your income? Part-time job and side hustle.

How much did it cost to decorate your space? I’d estimate $300-$600.

Do you have anyone helping to fund your decor? No.

What was your best budget find for this space? The fake bonsai tree looks completely real and I got it for $2.

What was your biggest splurge for this space? The guitar my roommate bought was the biggest expense, and it serves as decor and an instrument to play.

What was your biggest challenge in decorating your space? One of the biggest challenges was definitely the space limitations and the fact that I had to make shared design decisions with my roommates. Dorms aren’t exactly known for being roomy, so finding a layout that worked (and didn’t feel cramped) took some creative thinking. We wanted it to feel personal, but also cohesive, so we had to communicate a lot about what aesthetic we were going for. Luckily, we landed on a vibe that blends well with our styles.

Another big hurdle was needing renter-friendly solutions that followed all the dorm rules. We couldn’t drill or paint, so everything had to be temporary but still look intentional. Command strips, removable hooks, and lightweight wall decor became our best friends. I also had to get creative with storage — like the cubby shelf for shoes and smaller containers tucked away to keep the room tidy without taking up more space.

In the end, working around the limitations made me think more creatively and helped us build a space that feels warm, functional, and still very much ours.

What’s your best tip for optimizing a small space? Thrift as much as you can, or check out garage sales. You’d be surprised how many cool, one-of-a-kind items you can find that add character to your space without breaking the bank. A lot of my favorite pieces are secondhand finds, and they really help make the room feel more personal and lived-in.

When it comes to maximizing space, the key is using every hidden storage spot you’ve got. I keep plastic tubs and bags full of stuff under the bed, which frees up a ton of room elsewhere. It helps keep everything looking clean and uncluttered, without having to sacrifice any of the essentials. The more you can tuck away while still keeping it accessible, the more open and functional your space feels.

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

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