Parents Defend Spending £20,000 on Dorm Room Decorations
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In an exclusive report, parents are opening up about justifying lavish spending upwards of £20,000 on decorating their children’s college dorm rooms. Two mothers shared their reasons behind investing in expensive items such as headboards and custom artwork to create the perfect living space for their daughters.
The Dorm Rooms of Mississippi and Beyond Facebook group, founded by Tamara Wingerter and Stephanie Swedenburg Knight in 2020, has become a popular platform with over 76,000 members seeking inspiration for extravagant college room designs. Many parents, like Monicah Wells, turned to this group for tips on how to transform their children’s dorm rooms into luxurious spaces.
Monicah Wells, whose daughter is starting college at Ole Miss, began planning the dorm room transformation three years ago. With a keen eye for design, Monicah, along with her daughter’s roommate’s mother, meticulously curated every detail of the room, from the floor plan to the decor elements, ensuring a cohesive and stylish living environment for the students.
Through careful planning and coordination, Monicah and her fellow mom collaborator managed to create a stunning room that exceeded the £20,000 budget. While some may consider the expenditure excessive, Monicah believes that the investment will enhance her daughter’s college experience, offering a comfortable and inviting space for her to thrive in.
Despite the substantial cost of dorm room decorations, some parents opt for professional designers to handle the makeover. Shelly Gates, a mom from Mississippi, charges between £5,000 and £20,000 for dorm room makeovers through her business, Mary Margaret Designs. However, Monicah chose to undertake the design process herself, saving on designer fees while still achieving a high-end look.
Reflecting on the intensive planning and execution involved in decorating the dorm room, Monicah acknowledges the challenges and stresses of taking on such a project. She advises other parents to consider hiring a designer for future ventures, emphasising the value of professional expertise in creating a visually appealing and functional space.
The Dorm Rooms of Mississippi and Beyond group not only showcases extravagant designs but also offers tips on budget-friendly options and resourceful hacks for parents looking to save money. From discount codes to second-hand furniture sales, the group caters to a wide range of parents seeking to enhance their children’s dormitory experience.
Tamara Wingerter, one of the group’s founders, highlights the long-term value of investing in dorm room decorations, noting that certain items can be reused or resold. Custom artwork, a popular trend among dorm decorators, adds a personal touch to the space and serves as a lasting memento for students to cherish beyond their college years.
In the realm of parent-led dorm design, the willingness to spend substantial sums on room decorations reflects a desire to create a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing environment for college students. While the costs may seem extravagant to some, for many parents, the investment is a testament to their love and dedication to providing the best for their children.