Title: Dorm Room Decor Becomes a Costly Trend for College Students
Date: [Date]
By: Anne D’Innocenzio
NEW YORK (AP) — College students are turning their dorm rooms into stylish havens, but it’s coming at a high price. From expensive headboards to custom-made cabinets, the rising cost of college is now accompanied by the increasingly expensive task of decorating dorm rooms.
Students are sparing no expense, with some even hiring interior designers to maximize their small living spaces. Lesley Lachman, an 18-year-old student from Rye, New York, spent hours planning her dorm room’s furnishings with her roommate. After extensive research on websites like Pinterest, she combined pricey brands with more affordable options, costing her parents around $3,000.
Lachman documented her room’s transformation on TikTok, showcasing the stark difference from the before and after videos. Previously, her room had plain yellow cinderblock walls, a dull built-in desk, and an open closet, while the renovated version boasted lacey curtains, embroidered pillows, a cozy white headboard, and customized framed art.
The back-to-college season has become big business, with families projected to spend an average of about $1,367 per person, a 14% increase from last year, according to a survey conducted by the National Retail Federation. This rise in spending is mainly attributed to purchases of electronics, dorm furnishings, and everyday necessities.
Simultaneously, the overall cost of college, including tuition, fees, and room and board, has nearly doubled since 1992. The National Center for Education Statistics reveals that the average cost has surged from $14,441 per year to $26,903 across all types of universities. Dorm costs have seen a similar spike, rising from $3,824 to $7,097.
For students like Sara Hunt, a sophomore at New York University, budget constraints are a harsh reality. With a personal contribution of almost $30,000 per year towards her college costs, Hunt had a strict $100 budget to decorate her dorm. To save money, she scoured stores like Goodwill, Dollar Tree, and T.J. Maxx for decorating deals.
The stark divide in dorm furnishings between students with financial advantages and those without creates an unspoken inequality on campuses, according to Jamel Donnor, a professor at William & Mary College. This difference in living quarters can lead some students to question whether they even belong at their respective colleges.
Dormify, an online supplier of dorm supplies, has recognized this disparity and now caters to both ends of the budget spectrum. In addition to offering affordable essential bundles, the company recently introduced an interior designer service for students willing to spend $450 on the perfect room decor. The rise of platforms like TikTok has effectively heightened the importance of a well-decorated dorm room, resulting in a 15% increase in average orders this fall, according to Amanda Zuckerman, co-founder and president of Dormify.
Notwithstanding the prevailing trend of high spending, some parents are now reining in their children’s extravagant purchases. The challenging economic climate has forced families to set limits on dorm room expenses. Emma Kirk, a freshman at the University of Mississippi, utilized the services of an interior designer but received guidance from her parents whenever she considered something too costly.
Despite the cost constraints, students like Hunt maintain that they are satisfied with their dorm room decor. Hunt remarks that even if she had an unlimited budget, she would still prefer her current eclectic style.
As college expenses continue to rise, the pressure to create a personalized and aesthetically pleasing dorm room is adding to the financial burden on students and their families. The pursuit of an inviting living space highlights the contrast between students who can afford luxurious dorm furnishings and those who must make do with limited resources. This trend emphasizes the need for a broader conversation about affordability and equality within the higher education system.
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