Interior Decorator Sam Allen Makes Over A College Student's Off-Campus Bedroom
At just 20 years old, interior decorator Sam Allen is particularly sympathetic to the plights of college living. "You should have seen the look on my face when they told me I couldn't remove the standard-issue furniture," he says of moving in to his own dorm. "To help it feel more like home, I brought in accent pieces like an orange gourd lamp."
While Barnard senior Celia Cooper's sun-drenched off-campus apartment isn't exactly your typical student quarters, her bare, blah space was certainly in need of a wake-up call. Given the freedom to make slightly more drastic changes here, Allen used Teen Vogue's Samara Batik and Ikat Stripe bedding sets as inspiration to create a tranquil space ideal for study and sleep. "My favorite piece in the room is the high-drama headboard," says Allen. "I think every room should have a nice bed, a cozy chair to curl up and read in, and fresh flowers," he adds.
Heading off to college and wondering how to create a similar look without breaking the bank? Allen recommends buying a small area rug to make the room more inviting and experimenting with patterned wall decals. "They are easily removable, not to mention affordable," he says. "What more could a college student ask for?" —VICTORIA LEWIS
1/6Interior decorator Sam Allen uses Teen Vogue's latest bedding collection to give one lucky college student a lesson in stylish spaces.
2/6Lighten Up
Pretty pastel walls (we used Benjamin Moore’s Misty Lilac) and breezy curtains from Pottery Barn keep things open and airy. For an added pop of color, try a fun art print, like this Simon Doonan illustration from 20fl00.com.
Bohemian Rhapsody
Teen Vogue’s Samara Batik bedding set— available exclusively at macys.com—gives the room a sophisticated, artsy vibe. Frame it with this chic upholstered headboard and bed skirt from Serena & Lily. Ultrasoft Mongolian fur pillows from West Elm are the perfect finishing touches.
Magic Carpet
Cover chilly hardwood with a neutral rug, like this simple sea-grass one from Ballard Designs. A furry throw from Calypso St. Barth Home makes the room extra cozy.
3/6Sitting Pretty
Need an extra seat? This ghost chair from Dovecote is the clear choice. Give it extra edge with a skull pillow from Calypso St. Barth Home. A bright pouf from John Derian Company can pull double duty as an ottoman or stool for friends.
Glass Work
Reflective surfaces can make a small space look bigger. Here, a glass-top dresser from Lillian August and a floor-length mirror from West Elm open up the room.
4/6Quick Change
Your room doesn’t have to be static. Teen Vogue’s Ikat Stripe set— available exclusively at macys.com —is the perfect bed swap.
Guiding Light
Late-night reading is a breeze with West Elm’s modern bedside table and this lavender lamp from Robert Abbey.
5/6Decorator Sam Allen.
6/6Desk Job
Study space is key for any college student. Get to work with this classic desk from Crate & Barrel and chair from Interior Express. Chic Russell + Hazel desk accessories help keep your surface clutter-free.
