This TCU Freshman’s Dorm Is a Coquette Dream (The Wallpaper Is So Good!)

Friends and passersby on campus have dubbed Shelby Garner’s TCU dorm as “the LoveShack room,” referring to the brand LoveShackFancy, because of the pink decor that peeks out even when you’re looking through the window. After receiving her first-choice dorm, Shelby (@shelbykathryngarner on IG) couldn’t wait to begin decorating with her two roommates. 

The vision was to create a space that was organized and functional, while remaining cozy and cute, and Shelby surpassed that goal with flying colors. 

How’d you end up in this space? My room was assigned to me from the school. I had a choice of what building I wanted on campus, but was not guaranteed my top pick. Luckily, I received my top pick. As soon as I walked in on move-in day, I absolutely loved it and I could not wait to decorate and make it my personal space.

Now that you’ve made the space your own, what specifically do you love about it? I had an interior designer help me create my room and living room plan and make my room as organized and functional as possible, but still super cozy and cute.

What’s your space best known for? We are known as the “LoveShack” room. Our room is the corner room on the first floor in the common area of our school so everyone sees into our living room when walking to class, [including] the tour groups touring campus. People know that we have really outdone ourselves but we love to get all the compliments!

Define your personal home style: I love light pinks, blue, and the coastal grandmother, grandmillennial, preppy, shabby-chic style. I get inspo from my favorite brands, LoveShackFancy and Laura Park. I have always been obsessed with pink, but as I got older I acquired a style, and used TikTok and Pinterest to help guide me through the styling process!

What’s your proudest DIY or product hack? I ended up having so much leftover wallpaper from my room that we put it on other walls throughout the dorm. I think the coolest thing we decided to do with the leftovers was cover up the gray cabinets and add our own bow handles! It turned out great and helped pull it all together!

What’s your favorite element of your space? My most favorite thing about my space in my bedroom is my clear acrylic bookshelf. I am able to display all of my cute things, while still having the feeling of my room being more open and clean. In the living room, I love our cute couch with a coffee table. I have made so many memories in our small little living room, from having sleepovers on the couch to just having TV time with my roommates at the end of the day.

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? $5,550

Do you have anyone helping to fund your housing? Yes.

Do you pay for your living expenses? No.

How do you earn your income? Babysitting.

How much did it cost to decorate your space? Around $5,000.

Do you have anyone helping to fund your decor? Yes.

What was your best budget find for this space? I had help from family and friends with cost.

What was your biggest splurge for this space? My dresser under the bed, $1,800, but I will keep it forever.

What was your biggest challenge in decorating your space? Bringing in our own personal furniture! We wanted to make our room as comfortable as possible, and the plastic brown furniture assigned from the school was not it.

What’s your best tip for optimizing a small space? Ottomans with storage have been helpful to keep blankets in. Acrylic shelving to keep the space more open. Of course, the big windows and tall ceilings to open up the room and keep it bright!

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

Share your style: Dorm Tour Submission Form