It's that time of year again, and thousands of young people across the country have moved or are about to move into their college dorms, ready to embark on the next chapter of their lives.
Most dorm rooms are notoriously small and bland.
But things have certainly evolved from the modest dorm room furniture of bygone eras, with a few decorative pillows, some posters on the walls, a random light flickering, and maybe a basic, bare-bones desk lamp.
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Nowadays, some people get their dorm rooms customized and upgraded beyond what they expected.
Stylish students—and their proud parents—post photos of their professionally designed, color-coordinated dorm room masterpieces.
Eden Bowen Montgomery runs a dorm room decorating business for clients at Mississippi State University, where she decorates dorm rooms decorated in a pink hues. (Eden Bowen Montgomery)
Recently, Ava Hunt, 18, Kansas City Chiefs heir apparent and daughter of Tavia Hunt and Clark Hunt, created a lavish pink design space in her dorm room at Southern Methodist University in Texas, complete with neon lights, trendy décor and designer furniture.
Tavia Hunt posted a photo of her daughter's dorm room on Instagram.
It included adorable photos of her embracing her daughter as well as pictures of her posing in their lovely new home.
Ava Hunt and Tavia Hunt of the Kansas City Chiefs stand on the sideline during a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on August 19, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Rick Tapia/Getty Images)
The photo was also accompanied by a kind message wishing her daughter happiness.
Overall it was a heartwarming message.
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What about the other college students about to move into their dorms? What are the expectations and circumstances of millions of other people?
What inspires some (but not all) of today's elaborate dorm room designs?
In a smartly decorated dorm room at Mississippi State University, one mental health expert said today's parents and college students feel intense pressure to keep up. (Shasta Suleiman/Adeline Kellow)
Here, with input from mental health experts, we offer four key tips for keeping things practical and down to earth for both parents and students.
1. Manage your expectations to keep dorm rooms realistic and affordable
Amy Morin, a Florida-based psychotherapist and author of “13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don't Do,” said parents and college students feel pressured to keep up with today's fancy dorm décor.
Eden Bowen Montgomery owns a dorm room decorating company, and here she decorates a dorm room at Ole Miss. (Eden Bowen Montgomery)
“This may make some young people worry that they won't fit in and some parents feel guilty about overindulging their kids,” Morin told Fox News Digital.
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“It might lead some families to think, 'The reason people like us don't go to college is because we can't afford these things,'” she added.
2. Be realistic about dorm room decor
While it's good to create an environment that reflects your style and preferences, experts say a dorm room is only a temporary stop in your life.
“Dorm rooms are not spaces meant for long-term or permanent use.”
“The time you spend in a dorm room is limited in your overall life and dorm rooms are not intended as permanent or permanent spaces,” Morin said.
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“In a very temporary situation, excessive embellishment is unnecessary,” she said in her personal opinion.
3. Reflect on the real cause of your desire to spend big money
Morin said parents who go into debt to afford their children's fairytale dorm room lives are probably just trying to satisfy their own desires.
Mississippi State University dorm rooms are featured. (Shasta Suleiman/Adeline Kellow)
“Parents may be trying to distract from their own sadness about their child going away, or they may be overindulging their child in one area because they secretly worry that their child is lacking in another,” Morin told Fox News Digital.
She also noted that decorating can be a way to continue treating college students like kids.
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“Many parents are upset that their children are growing up, so by filling rooms with stuffed animals and fairy tale decorations, parents are able to continue to treat their students like young children,” Morin added.
4. Remember that your success in college isn't determined by the decor of your room.
A fancy dorm room is unlikely to translate into college admission or lifelong success.
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Going to college can be a great opportunity for parents to show their children what is truly important in life, like hard work and success.
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“This is a great opportunity for parents to teach their children the things they really value, like getting a good education, being kind to others and trying new experiences,” Morin said.
