This University of Kentucky Interior Design Major Made Her Room into an Art Gallery

Her side of the room doesn’t have a set style or color scheme, rather a variety of colors, patterns, and prints that come together to create a warm, bright living space. The hot pink flooring is especially unique, adding a fun Barbie Dreamhouse vibe to an otherwise colorful and eclectic room.

What drew you to this space? I was assigned to this space by the University of Kentucky, but I could not have had a better experience in this dorm. The setup is honestly so fun because you get to have the stereotypical “dorm experience” while still having semi-privacy. It allows me to have my own space, but I can also hang out with my roommate all the time. Plus, you also get Tempur-Pedic mattresses and marble countertops, which are super nice and rare for a college dorm!

What is your space best known for? My space is best known as a gallery exhibit! Not intentionally, but I posted a video of the room on my TikTok and it blew up! Coming to school as an interior design major, I knew I had to go all out! However, I was nervous about posting it because I wasn’t sure what some people would think of such a chaotic and colorful space. But since I did share it with people, I was able to see their comments and hear their thoughts on the room. Not only that, but it became a topic I could talk about with people and even allowed me to meet some of my closest friends today!

What was the biggest challenge in decorating your space? One of the biggest challenges was not knowing what my roommate’s side of the room would look like. We didn’t have a color scheme or a plan to perfectly match each other; we both just decided to make sure everything was colorful and reflected our interests in our own ways. So, when we began to unpack our stuff and move in, I became a little nervous that everything would clash. We have a hot pink floor, a cheetah rug, striped bedding, a green dresser, and pretty much anything else you could imagine. However, looking at the space now, I am so glad we didn’t plan to have everything match to a T because the room is cohesive, but still unique on both sides. Our objects and prints reflect our personalities, which gives the room a sense of character!

How would you define your personal home style? My personal home style is definitely a reflection of my personality! I wanted my space to feel bright, lively, and full of imagination. I knew I would be spending a lot of time here so I wanted it to feel like home. There is a mix of things that are inspiring and comforting, while staying functional; a mix of linear details and different shapes, which gives it an upbeat rhythm; and various patterns and textures which make the space feel intricate. I used lots of warm lighting to create emphasis on the use of color to contrast with the gray walls. I wanted it to be fun and full of passion, which resulted in a colorful palette with a personal touch!

What is your favorite element of your space? My favorite element in my room is the artwork above my bed. It is an eclectic mix but each piece holds a special meaning. For example, I have pictures of me with some of the most influential people in my life who remind me of my roots and my memories with them. I also have a picture of girls wearing shirts that spell out “New York” because I love the city and dream of dancing there one day. 

In addition, there is a picture of Anne Hathaway living carelessly because I adore her and the movie The Devil Wears Prada is my all-time favorite. There is another print that says, “Actually, it is all fun and games,” to remind me to not take myself too seriously! Also, there is a collage of matchboxes with different songs and artists on them. My sister picked each one to represent a song that we danced to together throughout our lives, so it is super valuable to me! 

How much does your housing cost per semester? $5,071 per semester.

Do you have anyone helping to fund your housing? My parents!

How much did it cost to decorate your space? Around $1,500.

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? Part-time job.

What was your biggest splurge for this space and how much did it cost? I found a Joss & Main swivel chair for $175 on Facebook Marketplace!

What was your best budget find for this space and how much did it cost? I found the green dresser at HomeGoods for $50!

What small space tips do you have? A tip for maximizing your space is to find storage in any way you can! For example, instead of using a nightstand, I picked a dresser that could double as storage for more clothes! I also lofted my bed so I could fit drawers underneath.

What is your proudest DIY or product hack? One of my proudest DIY hacks was my picture frames. I had my eye on some bubble picture frames, but they were pretty pricey so I went to the local store and found wooden frames with similar structures. Then, to make them look like what I had pictured, I spray-painted them to make them bright and lively. They look pretty close to the original idea, but I like them better because I was able to be a part of the creative process!

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

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