"Like a Hotel"... US Parents Spend Thousands Decorating College Students' Dorm Rooms

From Personal Tastes to Daily Habits, Customizing Dorm Rooms

Big Spending on Dorm Interiors Spurs Mixed Reactions

In the United States, specialized interior design services that decorate dormitory rooms to suit students' tastes and lifestyles are gaining popularity on college campuses. Some parents spend thousands of dollars on interior design for their college-aged children's dormitory rooms, with some shelling out tens of thousands of dollars per room.

Work by the dormitory room interior design specialist 'Mary Margarit Designs.' Screenshot from Instagram (@marymargaretdesigns_).

Dorm Room Interior Design Services Reflecting Student Tastes and Lifestyles Are Gaining Popularity

On August 11 (local time), the New York Post introduced Sally Gates, the representative of "Mary Margaret Designs," a company specializing in dormitory room interiors. Gates completes interior projects for 15 to 20 dorm rooms each year and charges up to 20,000 dollars (approximately 28 million won) per room.

Recently, a video of a University of Alabama dormitory that Gates posted to her social media platform went viral online, garnering a high number of views. The video shows a new student admiring their newly decorated room right after moving in. The room was vividly redecorated with pastel bedding and wallpaper, as well as custom-made wall art.

She stated, "Students want spaces that reflect their own tastes and personalities," adding, "Our job is to transform dorm rooms with concrete walls and fluorescent lights into comfortable and cozy spaces so that students can feel at home."

Gates consults with the student to determine their favorite colors, materials, and the atmosphere they desire. She also considers each student's daily habits, study routines, and sleeping patterns when designing the room. Throughout this process, she communicates closely with the student's parents as well.

The dormitory interior projects typically start several months before students move in, with the busiest period running from May through August. Gates reported that there is demand for her services in multiple states, including Texas, Tennessee, and Florida.

Dormitory room interior specialist company 'Mary Margaret Designs' work. Screenshot from Instagram (@martmargaretdesigns_)

Debate Persists Online Over Parents Decorating Their Children's Dorm Rooms

Meanwhile, controversy continues online over parents spending several thousand dollars to decorate their children's dormitory rooms.

Some people criticized this trend, claiming that it encourages unnecessary overspending, that children should instead experience realistic living conditions, and that spending large sums on a room where students only stay for a few months is excessive. On the other hand, others defended such spending, arguing that it is simply parental support to cheer on their children's new start.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.