Sophie Schwartz | Junior Scene Editor

So you are starting the hunt for your sophomore year roommate crew, touring the corner room suites along the South 40 while crossing your fingers you get an early registration slot. Planning suite decor might be the least of your concerns right now, but what better way to procrastinate housing than scrolling through dorm room aesthetics on Pinterest and adding decor to your Amazon wishlist, or stalking the Instagrams of your favorite upperclassman to see pictures of how their suites came to life? But in the spirit of staying organized, I’ve got you covered with a one-stop shop for all the essentials for a chic and cozy-looking common space that will transform your suite into everyone’s favorite hangout spot. 

The color scheme is the first detail to plan out when crafting your vision for the suite. Prioritize a neutral tone complemented with a few fun pops of color. Some of my favorites include a white backdrop with pink and green accents for a fun springtime feel to scare away the winter gloom. For a more industrial look, a beige base with a navy blue or taupe-brown gives off organized casual with a modern flair.

Color can come out in many ways through pillows, posters, and accessories. The best way to set up pillows is to layer a single-toned one behind a bright-patterned one. Furry and sherpa base pillows are an effortless way to enhance the hominess of the suite. Make sure to arrange the pairs in groups of three on the couch and a singular pair for each chair. A few of my go-to pillow purchasing places are the sale rack at World Market, T.J. Maxx,  HomeGoods, and Target. If you have a mom anything like mine and need a simple money-saving hack, shop in her closet to see if she has any extras lying around. Pillows from my bat mitzvah seven years ago are currently serving as my couch decor. 

To further enrich the furniture provided to you by Residential Life, purchase a couple of blankets to hang on the back of the chairs and sides of the couches. I recommend investing in some with a variety of materials. Fabric plush blankets are great for cozy movie nights and come in a variety of colors to brighten the furniture, while linen ones help the space feel refined and organized. If you are a germophobe like me and don’t want your handpicked accessories ending up on the floor, buy a medium-sized basket for your friends to drop all the blankets and pillows in when they are spending time on the furniture. 

When it comes to walls, the layout of sophomore suites on the 40 can vary. But for most, it looks like a rectangle: one large wall behind the couch, two medium-sized walls on both sides, and an additional medium-sized space dividing the doors of the two rooms on each side directly across from the couch. Decorating these walls is a simple way to show off some personality. Three 16-by-24 posters behind the couch is the perfect ratio to keep the room looking chic. You’re especially lucky if you’re like me and have a roommate majoring in communication design who can custom-make posters. String lights that hang down are the ultimate fixture for one of the medium-sized walls, especially during darker hours of the day, to curate the perfectly lit room. To keep the vibes alive and competitiveness brewing, consider buying a dart board, mini basketball hoop, or magnetic tic-tac-toe board to hang up on the second medium-sized wall. 

The final wall space is the perfect spot for a TV and extra storage shelves. Though a luxury, it’s a fun addition to bring the space to life. For a more cost-friendly option, consider looking on TikTok Shop for projectors — I know many people who have purchased them successfully. If you do choose to go the TV route, though, think about getting a TV stand with storage below. World Market and HomeGoods always mark certain items down. To serve as the snack station and home for the other miscellaneous belongings that clutter the suite, invest in one or two 30-by-14 shelves for either side of the TV. 

Finally, what centers around the furniture and the focal point of your suite is the table. There are endless possibilities for this, but I would recommend going for a maximalist look. Find an extra rectangular-shaped tray lying around your house to place in the center of the table. Fill it up with party-friendly card games, slime, fidget toys, a notepad, some taller objects for depth, and whatever else brings out your and your suitemates’ individual styles. Completing the vibe with a rug beneath the table is a nice extra for color and coziness, but I recommend going darker to prevent stains from showing. 

The icing on the cake is all the extra touches. Though unnecessary, they can elevate your space into a personal escape. Two of my favorites in my suite are our color-changing floor lamp and our bar cart. While the floor lamp helps curate the perfect lighting for pictures, fun vibes, and a dreamy atmosphere, the bar cart fits seamlessly in with the furniture and can hold fun cups, napkin holders, candy jars, and other accessories. 

Decorating your common room is the best part of the housing craziness, and although there might be many pieces involved (both metaphorically and physically), focus on the vision and trust that they will all fall into place. My brother served as my personal handyman throughout this entire process, so make sure to bring a toolbox and recruit a skilled family member. Happy housing season!