Every student who steps on campus must face the same daunting rite-of-passage: move-in day. We’ve all been there — imagining the freedom of a fresh start and a fresh home, escalated to perfection in your head, styled exactly how you want: Pinterest-perfect.
There are so many fun and creative ways to go about this process, from hiring an interior designer to antiquing or thrifting to even repurposing a few things from home. Whether you’re a first-time freshman or a senior welcoming your last move-in day before graduation, decorating your space is a priority for self-expression. But when you get down to it, finding everything you had in mind — especially on a budget — might be harder than expected.
Adele Interiors, founded by Nikki Fort and based in College Station, has helped lavish local spaces for four years now. They have worked on a plethora of commercial and residential projects and helped countless college students design their space around their personality.
Claire Christensen, a graduate from Sam Houston University and lead designer at Adele Interiors in College Station, said that although your space in college is temporary, it is still highly important.
“There’s a lot of studying going on, and it’s kind of strenuous,” Christensen said. “So if you have a space to come back to and ground you and remind you of yourself … it’ll make you feel good.”
Being mindful of your budget is important, Christensen said, and she and her team have found how best to help students reach goals within their means.
“One [tip] would be to start with what pieces you need,” Christensen said. “So, if you need hardcore furniture pieces, start with those staples … once you get an idea of kind of what furniture pieces you need, it’s easier to go from there into the decorative pieces.”
Christensen noted that college students often under- or overestimate how much they’ll actually need, which could hinder the room’s ability to express uniqueness.
“I feel like a good design incorporates elements that tug at all five senses, and then that way you feel overall not overloaded, but balanced,” Christensen said.
Another way to create a unique style is by searching for specific pieces that speak to you, and Bryan-College Station offers a variety of places to look.
A beloved example is Old Bryan Marketplace, originally a car dealership that was converted into a quaint antique shop by Kay Conlee, who passed ownership to her son Grant Conlee. It has become a prominent attraction in downtown Bryan and fostered an environment to slow down and enjoy time well-spent.
“30 years ago, [Kay] opened the store,” Grant said. “She wanted to appeal to anyone — no matter what economic level you lived in, or if you lived in an apartment or a dorm, or if you lived in the biggest house in Bryan … there would be something within these walls that you could attain and feel a part of.”
It’s never too early to start curating your style, Grant said, and he noted that college students tend to choose candles and cards the most. But most of all, he encourages students to pick something that is reflective of who they are.
“Pick something that’s timelessly elegant, that will always look good no matter how you evolve your life or style,” Grant said.
When asked how he would advise someone new to thrifting pieces for their home, Grant said to slowly build a personal style without trying anything wild at first. He advised choosing long-lasting and functional pieces over trendy or more disposable items.
“If you buy nice things, they’ll look beautiful anywhere,” Grant said. “But if you buy for a spot, you’re not going to have that spot forever.”
Creating your own environment is both challenging and rewarding as a college student. Finding specific pieces that represent you can make your space both comfortable and unique: the keys to a space worth coming home to.
