A Happy, Bright, and Simple Small/Cool Space
A Happy, Bright, and Simple Small/Cool Space
Name: Elaina Zayac
Size: 120 sq ft
Home type: Dorm
Location: West Hartford, Connecticut
Years lived in: 7 months, rented
Household: No one (communal bathroom shared with several floor mates)
Have any design professionals worked on this space: No
Describe your space:
Having lived in a basic dorm room my freshman year, then larger apartment-style housing my sophomore and junior years, I decided to circle back to basic dorm-style housing for my senior year of college. I saw downsizing as an opportunity to challenge my interior design skills to create a space that was highly functional, made maximum use of the small square footage, and felt equally as mature as it did youthful. I had a vision for my space that challenged the typical stereotypes associated with college dorm rooms (disorganized, plain, claustrophobic) and aimed to create a more stylish home.
Did you DIY anything in your space? And, if so, what's your favorite DIY?
I tackled A LOT of DIY projects, including the mirror on my desk that was thrifted for $10 and painted white, my coffee bar made out of birch plywood, and my Robin's egg blue mini fridge I got for free and spray-painted. My favorite is the coffee bar, which was designed to function as similarly to a kitchen as possible, with a countertop prep area, mini fridge, microwave, and food storage. It ended up fitting perfectly below the open shelving that came with the dorm room, where I store other kitchen-related essentials. The DIY projects make my dorm feel customized and more personal.
What's your favorite product that you bought for your space and where did it come from?
A trick I learned from an old roommate is to use contact paper to cover fake wood grain veneer desktops, and it makes SUCH a difference! I purchased two rolls of marble-patterned contact paper from Amazon that are easily removed when it is time to move out. This product really transforms the desk into a more stylish piece of furniture and is much easier on the eyes than the fake wood look.
What inspires you?
Seeing how other people live and interact on a daily basis with their homes inspires my design ideas. I think that "home" can mean many different things for different people, and therefore, every home tells a unique story specific to that person or family. When you walk into someone's house, that home has a unique feeling that is different than any other, which is what makes interior design so interesting. The realization that no two spaces are alike and there are endless opportunities to create something new and exciting is what keeps me inspired.