I *Covet* This University of Alabama Dorm’s Coffee Bar Setup (It Has an Ice Machine!)

How did you find this space? I have wanted to attend the University of Alabama since I was 5, so when it came time to choose a dorm, I carefully researched the options to find the space that would best suit me. With so many residence halls to choose from, I explored the university housing website to see what each offered, paying attention to whether they were designated for males, females, freshmen, or upperclassmen, which helped me narrow down my choices. 

My decision was solidified when I found an incredible roommate, and…we were assigned an ADA room, which is significantly larger than most rooms in the dorm, providing ample space to personalize and organize our living area. At first, the room felt overwhelming, but with the help of my roommate and our parents, we transformed it into a space that is both functional and welcoming.

Now that you’ve made it your own, what specifically do you love about your space? I love how we arranged our beds differently from others, layering them with a mattress cover, mattress topper, mattress pad, and fitted sheets, making them incredibly comfortable and perfect for rest. Raising the beds created extra storage underneath, where I keep the dorm pull-out drawers, a shoe rack, travel bags, and even the additional chair. 

I would highly recommend investing in a comfortable rolling or spinning chair for your desk, as the wooden chairs provided are not practical for long periods of work or getting ready. One of my favorite areas is the rug in the center of the room, which serves as a gathering space for friends or a cozy spot for my roommate and me to watch movies, such as when we spent Halloween enjoying food and scary films together.

I also spend much of my time at our vanity, which we enhanced with a rented glass topper, desk hutch, and mirror, transforming it into a functional and organized space for getting ready. Finally, our coffee bar, complete with an ice machine, cups, tea, and electrolyte packets, has become a personal touch that makes the room feel homey and comfortable.

What is your space best known for? Our space is best known for being incredibly spacious. Compared to other dorms, it is larger than most, and [people] are always amazed when they see it for the first time. Beyond its size, it is our cozy retreat, a place to relax and unwind after a busy day. We designed it to feel like a little getaway because life, especially in college, can get pretty stressful. Whether we are hanging out with friends, enjoying late-night snacks and a movie, or simply taking time for ourselves to wind down, this space is the perfect spot for all of it.

How would you define your personal home style? Feminine and elegant, soft glam, romantic with a modern twist, gold-accented luxury, elevated dorm aesthetic, LoveShackFancy-inspired, “clean girl” but cozy and girly, and a soft luxury or boutique hotel vibe.

What is your favorite element of your space? My favorite part of our space is my desk area. It’s positioned right by the window, so it gets the most beautiful natural light throughout the day. Whether I’m getting ready in the morning or sitting down to do homework, the sunlight makes everything feel brighter, more energizing, and just more enjoyable. It creates such a calm, uplifting atmosphere and makes the space feel open and inviting. It’s the perfect balance of functional and aesthetic, which is exactly what I love.

What was the biggest challenge in creating your space? One of the biggest challenges was the room layout. When we arrived, we realized the window was off-centered, which meant our original [layout] plan would not work.

To overcome this, we relied on the experience of our parents — my mom has decorated classrooms with unconventional layouts, and my roommate’s mom works in construction. Together, we rearranged the beds and furniture in a way that gave us a more usable space than we had anticipated. We also created a central area with our rug that has become a perfect spot to relax, hang out with friends, or watch a movie. Overall, the challenge pushed us to be creative, and it ended up making our dorm feel even more like home.

What is your proudest DIY or product hack? My bed skirt wouldn’t stay up no matter what I tried, so I came up with a quick fix. I carefully poked tiny holes near the top of the fabric where it’s supposed to attach to the bed frame. Then I threaded regular black hair ties through the holes and tied them in place. Now my bed skirt stays perfectly put, looks great, and the whole thing only took about 10–15 minutes and was free because I used supplies I already had.

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? $2,500

Do you have anyone helping to fund your decor? My parents.

Do you pay for your living expenses? No.

How do you earn your income? Occasionally I babysit or nanny.

What was your biggest splurge for this space and how much did it cost? The biggest splurge was the LoveShackFancy x Pottery Barn trunk that was $600.

What was your best budget find for this space and how much did it cost? My frames above my bed were my best budget find. I scored the prints on Etsy and the frames on Amazon, and the whole set only cost around $50, making it an affordable way to add style and personality to my space.

What small space tips do you have? Use under your bed! I have my drawers for clothes, a shoe rack, and extra space behind them to store anything that doesn’t have a spot or isn’t used every single day. If you have luggage, that’s another great storage option — you can stash extra paper towels, toilet paper, or even winter clothes in there during the summer.

Any unexpected tips you have for people moving into a dorm? A bit of advice I would give is to get the basics the summer before moving in, and then wait on some of the decor or extra items. After living in the space for a few weeks, you start to realize exactly what you need and want. It’s much easier to shop once you understand the space instead of guessing ahead of time.

These responses were edited for length and clarity. 

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