Friday, March 6, 2026
The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
Culture Corner

Living spaces should sparkle

Jon Marquez

Click for slide show

Bethany Seifert, junior of Lawrence, had the winning room. The room employs a strong color scheme and is very age-appropriate. — Photo by Chelsie Moreland

Darren Burrows, sophomore of Columbus, used Husker paraphernalia to create the perfect bachelor pad. Burrows makes the best use of limited space, creating a miniature kitchen complete with spice rack. — Photo by Chelsie Moreland
Mariah Cook, senior of Parker, Colo., decorated her room in a way that is reflective of her personality. A multi-colored bedspread brings a bohemian but chic flavor to the room. — Photo by Chelsie Moreland

Photo by Chelsie Moreland

Bethany Seifert, junior of Lawrence, had the winning room. The room employs a strong color scheme and is very age-appropriate.

Grandma and Dad recently made a trek up to Chadron, both to visit me and to check out the dorms that I live in. While walking through the lobby of Edna, Dad whispered to me, “This looks like the Betty Ford Center. It feels like we are visiting you in treatment.”

I would be telling elaborate fairy tales if I led people to believe that I don’t harbor the same feelings. The lobbies on campus do look like treatment centers. To tell you the truth, so do the dorm rooms, unless you properly furnish them!

RLA decided it was time to have a contest to see who was the most cutting edge with how they decorated their dorm room.

I had the pleasure of judging this experience, but it also forced me to some sobering realization: for every one room for residence-life living bliss, there are five that look like an episode of the destination of the stars of the reality TV show “Intervention.”

Photos of the wonderful rooms I have chosen as my favorites are featured online at csceagle.com.

Not only are these rooms wonderfully decorated, they are also filled with warm, hospitable owners who definitely are nothing like the good ol’ crew from “Intervention.”

The rooms chosen did a wonderful job grasping design concepts. I included rooms that are all very different, in hopes that they will inspire a plethora of people to make their own dorm room a little cozier.

Here are some easy-to-follow guidelines to use while putting your room together:

  • Design it for you! – You are living here. Develop a room that fits your personal style and a habitat that supports a healthy, happy life!
  • Color Scheme – Pick colors that compliment each other and stick to the color scheme.
  • Art work – Find pieces that inspire and speak to you.
  • Budget – We are college kids. Borrow (steal) things from home, go to garage sales, and always look for a good bargain. Shucks, you can even take up Dumpster diving! Anything to save Ramen noodle money!

I look at my room and can’t help not only falling in love with the decor, but also with how it is a true reflection of myself. What does your reflection look like?

I’ll tell you mine doesn’t look anything like a drug abuser’s in rehab.