This UT Austin Sophomore’s Dorm Feels Like a “Fairytale” (Such Cute Vintage Touches!)

When sophomore Audrey Todd (@audtodd3 on TikTok, @audtod on Instagram) noticed the hook already in the ceiling above her bed, she knew that the space was meant to have a canopy. Audrey hung a sheer white bed canopy on the perfectly placed hook, and it completely transformed the space. Although it’s much different than the colorful space she created last year, this room Audrey decorated looks like it came straight from the pages of a fairytale, with its antique decorations and ethereal bed design.

How’d you end up in this space? I found out about my dormitory through mutual friends in my neighborhood that had lived there. My older sister also lived here when she was in college, and now I am entering my second year as a resident here. 

Now that you’ve made the space your own, what specifically do you love about it? What drew me to living here was the elegance of the building, and the history behind it. 

What’s your space best known for? My space is best known for its coziness. My room gets great sunlight from the two large windows, and a nice breeze. The canopy above my beds really adds to the princess/fairytale vibe I have going on. I feel a great amount of comfort when spending time in my room. 

Define your personal home style: My personal style would be girly, colorful, and cozy, but fun! I have recently been loving the antique style and thrifting old pieces to incorporate into my room decor. I have inherited some antique pieces from my grandmother that I made sure to include in my room. 

What’s your favorite element of your space? My favorite element of my room would have to be my canopy. When I had originally chosen this room, I realized there was a hook in the ceiling right above where I wanted to put my bed. Without hesitation I knew I needed a canopy in my room. 

What’s your proudest DIY or product hack? My proudest DIY would have to be the crosses I refurbished that hang in my room. Both of them I had thrifted, but I wasn’t in love with the way they looked so I painted them gold, added some pretty paper and pearls, and made them unique to my style. The project in total cost me less than $10 to complete for both the crosses. 

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? $10,000

Do you have anyone helping to fund your housing? Yes

Do you pay for your living expenses? No

How do you earn your income? Part-time job

How much did it cost to decorate your space? $1,000

Do you have anyone helping to fund your decor? Yes

What was your best budget find for this space? My best budget find for my space is the antique-looking mirror that I got from 5 Below for $35.

What was your biggest splurge for this space? The biggest splurge for my room would have to be my desk. My dorm provides a desk, but I knew I wanted something a little more my style. It cost $60 from Amazon.

What was your biggest challenge in decorating your space? My biggest challenge when decorating my room was working around the windows. I have two very large windows in my room, which were challenging when figuring out where I wanted things placed, hung, etc. Nevertheless I made it work, and now have my dream room!

What’s your best tip for optimizing a small space? This is my second year living in this dorm so I have lived and learned all the hacks to fully utilize the space. As someone who loves clothes, my best tip is to bring clothes that you know you are going to wear. If you have something in your closet that isn’t your favorite item, but you want to bring it to college with you “just in case,” DO NOT. You only have so much space to store your clothes, so you must be intentional with it. 

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

Share your style: Dorm Tour Submission Form