Mindy has gotten used to living in small spaces. The up-and-coming Parisian singer, known for her popular residency at iconic jazz club La Trompette Bleue, currently shares a walk-up apartment with her best friend Emily. While sharing a space might not be ideal, the two of them have not only made it work, but they’ve also had fun with it, transforming their flat into a cozy sanctuary that feels like a relaxing reprieve from the hustle and bustle of Paris.
There might not be much room, but that hasn’t stopped Mindy from bringing her own unique touch to the space in the form of fun decor and vibrant hues. Since she and Emily are well-versed in decking out small spaces on a budget, we figured she’d be the perfect person to tap this back-to-school season on dorm room shopping. This August, we’re welcoming her to our office as The Cut’s guest advice columnist to answer your seasonal shopping questions, recommend her must-have products, and share how she shops with Google to score the best stuff. Read her pro advice on setting up a space filled with personality and be sure to check out what she had to say about the most wearable fall trends.
Dear Mindy,
I need your help! I’m heading off to college and am so excited to have my own space to decorate. We all know dorm rooms can be so drab, but I want my room to feel fun, cozy, and inviting — like a cool space I (and all my future friends) will actually want to hang out in. How can I affordably make my room stand out?
Sincerely,
Not Another Boring Dorm Room
Chère Not Another Boring Dorm Room,
If standing out is the goal, I got you! The best way to do this is to inject as much character as you can, wherever you can. Since the bed is typically what draws the eye first in dorm rooms, go for statement bedding with bright colors or fun patterns that show off your taste, and don’t forget to add a really cool throw pillow. Set the mood with lighting — you always need good lighting, and we know those overhead fluorescent lights aren’t doing any favors. A couple of interesting table lamps and maybe even some strategically-placed fairy lights can bring a cozy warmth to the space. Throw some personality on those empty walls with oversized artwork, framed photos, or floating shelves with your favorite trinkets. And then finally, make sure to have extra seating on hand for your friends. Nobody thinks about that and it’s très importante! Go for an ottoman that doubles as storage or a foldable chair that you can easily stow under your bed or behind your desk. I guarantee this will set your room apart and make it the hottest hang-out spot.
Now that you have a list of what you’ll need, let’s get shopping! I personally do all my shopping with Google since it’s so easy to find products that reflect your personal style and discover things you didn’t even know you needed. You can see the best prices from the best places, and even tailor your search with specific filters to land on exactly what you want. I found this cute ottoman by typing in “shop boucle storage ottoman” and selecting the price filter with a range of $100 to $250.
Remember, you want your space to bring you comfort and spark joy immediately when you enter, so don’t hold back! Happy shopping!
Bisous,
Mindy
Part 1 of Emily in Paris premieres on Netflix August 15, and the adventure continues with Part 2 on September 12.
Experiences shown are U.S. only and are not available in EMEA.
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