My college room is a hodgepodge collection of vibrant colors, patterns, art pieces, knicknacks, and glittery clothing pieces that hang off my headboard. My roommate and I live in a charming room resembling a classic attic with numerous nooks, slanted ceilings, and large windows letting in the perfect amount of light. When I moved into my new space over the summer, I wasn’t sure how to transform this uniquely shaped room and its stark white walls into the dreamy, vibrant oasis I so desperately wanted. With time, my room has become my happy place and the perfect representation of my personality. Each piece in my room is specially curated and tells a story of someone or something important to me.
In a small wall space, tucked between my desk and my nightstand, lies a photo collage that reminds me of a particularly exciting period in my life. After making an impromptu Goodwill trip, I found myself with three frames and one bulletin board of various sizes, shapes, and colors. I used patterned fabric scraps as the background in the frames as I seemed to have forgotten about my strictly 4×6 photo collection while thrifting. The photos and bulletin, in addition to the colorful fabric scraps, add a liveliness to the room’s plain walls. This collage includes photos and memories of my now long distance friends and I during our Semester at Sea study abroad program, spending time on the ship and exploring new places.
Placed right below my medley of Goodwill frames is my beloved boot corner. This condensed area consists of three pairs of boots differing in height, style, and color. While crafting my day-to-day outfits, boots remain my favorite addition to a look. It only felt right to position my few treasured pairs on display in my room as a physical reflection of my style. Each pair has its own significance, from my mom’s banana-colored hand-me-downs to the thrifted cowboy boots found at the flea market with my best friends. This aesthetic corner reminds me to play with my style and be creative while also holding memories of the people and places involved in expanding this collection.Â
Sitting on the floor, in the narrow wall space between my closet and nightstand, sits a basket of books from my oldest sister. This purse-shaped basket is packed with stories from my sister’s favorite authors. As a younger sister always looking up to my older sisters, I enjoy having this cherished collection exhibited as a little reminder of our relationship and her guidance. This touch of sisterhood adds to my room’s reflection of hominess and comfort while inspiring me to engage more meaningfully in literature.Â
In the small blank spaces of my room lie some of my most beloved possessions that add liveliness and personality to my room, but tell a story about what’s meaningful to me. These miscellaneous arrangements, whether frames, shoes, or book baskets, hold memories of my closest friendships and family bonds. My carefully-chosen and placed personal decor has shifted my room from a white-walled clean slate to a place for creativity, self-expression, and exploration.