College Room Decor Tips & Tricks: Insider Advice from Resident Students

Elevate and Optimize Your College Residence Room 

Amarra Lopez, Junior Marketing Major, Student Ambassador, YouTube influencer, and Vice President of St. John’s Marketing Club 

St. John’s Residence Hall: Carey Hall 

Residence Room Layout: One bed, desk, dresser, and closet—a single room within a suite-style room

Room Style: Minimalistic, with hints of vibrancy and chic 

Get a behind-the-scenes look at St. John’s University’s Carey Hall

Amarra’s Room Decor and Space Optimization Tips 

When I spoke with Amarra about her approach to decorating her room, she emphasized the importance of creating a space that truly feels like home. 

“Ensure your room embodies your personality and how you like to live!” she said. “It will be your safe haven, and the place you want to return to daily to rejuvenate and reset from all the stress school may cause.”

Amarra’s room reflects her cheerful personality, with thoughtful details that bring her joy: “My favorite decor piece is the Lego building block-themed flower vase on my windowsill. Although small, it makes me smile whenever I look at it!” 

Her advice underscores how even small, personal touches can transform a space into something meaningful. For Amarra, organization and functionality are equally important.

“The best way to make the most of a small residence space is to maximize your furniture by using it in versatile, multifunctional ways!” she explained. For example, she uses her desk as a vanity for filming her YouTube channel content and a workspace for homework. 

She added, “To maintain a peaceful and productive atmosphere, keep your room organized and set aside at least one day a week to deep clean and rejuvenate your space! If my room is clean, I can conquer the world.”

Maximizing Your Residence Space with Practical Decor 

Madison Coombs, Senior Public Relations Major, and Red House Fashion Club President

St. John’s Residence Hall: Founders Village Townhouses 

Residence Room Layout: One bed, desk, and dressers per roommatewith shared closet space

Room Style: Fashionable with a mix of vintage-style posters and timeless wall décor

Get a behind-the-scenes look at Founders Village Townhouses

Madison’s Room Decor and Space Optimization Tips

 During my conversation with Madison, she shared practical tips for balancing style and functionality in her shared living space. A self-proclaimed fashion enthusiast, Madison stressed the importance of choosing clothes wisely.  

“I love clothes—and I have a lot of them,” she admitted with a laugh. “A crucial thing to consider when moving into a residence room is not to bring too many clothes because it takes up a lot of space. What I found helpful was packing pieces I knew I would wear, and leaving the ones I didn’t wear as much behind.”  

She uses clear bins for workout sets and smaller tops to make the most of her closet space, leaving room for larger items to be hung on hangers. “Plus, the clear bins help to differentiate them,” she added.

Madison also offers creative solutions for organizing her favorite accessories.

“I wanted something cute and practical to organize my makeup products or jewelry,” she explained. Her favorite find is a clear, rotating makeup organizer, which doubles as a decorative piece while holding an impressive amount of products. “As for my jewelry, I found a clear organizer with drawers that was perfect! It keeps all my different types of jewelry organized and makes it easy to find exactly what I am looking for.”

For clothing storage, Madison swears by drawer organizers. “They are a must to keep your clothes organized while also helping to maximize storage,” she said, noting that her set has been a staple since her sophomore year. 

A Few Words of Advice from St. John’s Residence Director 

Making Your Residence Room Feel Like Home

I spoke with Isabelle Niehoff, M.B.A., Residence Director of Donovan Hall, to provide a professional perspective. Ms. Niehoff emphasized the importance of personalizing your space to make it feel like home. 

“Making your room feel like home starts with adding touches that reflect who you are,” she explained. “Bring in colors, textures, and items that make you feel comfortable and inspired—like a cozy throw blanket or a small rug.”

She also shared creative ideas for bonding with roommates and creating a warm environment. “A fun idea is to bring a Polaroid camera and snap pictures with your roommates to have something unique that represents all of you together. You can even create a memory wall with photos of everyone who visits your room, capturing the friends and moments that make your space feel alive.”

She recommended exploring the University’s Instagram page for more inspiration. “Check out our St. John’s nest room tour contest on Instagram @stjohnsreslife for even more ideas from fellow students who’ve transformed their rooms into amazing spaces!”