College students across the U.S. are spending extensive time and money to transform basic dorm rooms into deluxe living spaces [1].
This trend reflects a growing social-media movement where students personalize their environments to showcase "drab-to-fab" transformations online [1, 2].
At the University of Alabama, sophomores Kyla Lemons and Jaelyn Hanna have participated in the trend [1]. Some students dedicate as many as 100 hours to complete a single dorm makeover [1]. The effort often involves coordinating colors, textures, and high-end decor to erase the institutional feel of campus housing.
Financial investments vary widely among participants. Some students spend as much as $10,000 on their room transformations [2]. Other expenditures are more modest, such as $300 for a studded headboard or $100 for coffee-table books [3]. This spending comes at a time when average tuition is cited at $9,400 [2].
Similar activities are appearing at other institutions. At Nelson University in Dallas, sophomore Addison Standley worked with her mother, an interior designer, to remodel her space [1]. In Charlotte, North Carolina, some makeovers have been led by interior designers offering their services for free [4]. West Chester University in Pennsylvania has also seen students turn tiny dorm rooms into stylish designer spaces [5].
These transformations often require navigating strict university housing rules regarding what can be modified. Students use removable wallpapers, coordinated bedding, and strategic lighting to achieve a professional look without permanently altering the property [1, 3].
The drive for these upgrades is largely fueled by the desire to create content for social media platforms. By documenting the process, students turn their living quarters into digital portfolios of their personal style [1, 2].
“Students are spending extensive time and money to transform basic dorm rooms into deluxe living spaces.”
The 'drab-to-fab' phenomenon highlights a shift in how Gen Z views campus life, treating the dorm room not just as a temporary sleeping area but as a curated extension of their digital identity. The disparity between those spending thousands of dollars and those receiving free professional help suggests a widening gap in how students access aesthetic status symbols on campus.
