Room to shine: Inside FGCU’s Best Dressed Nest contest
5 – minute read
When McKinley Steele left Loganville, Georgia, for Florida Gulf Coast University, she packed all her Jellycats. The plushies were mostly gifts that remind her of her friends, family and boyfriend from back home, said the first-year marketing student.
Personal touches like these helped Steele become the grand prize winner of the Best Dressed Nest, an annual competition that invites students living in FGCU residence halls to showcase their decorating style. The contest was created by Housing & Residence Life marketing staff as a fun, engaging way to celebrate creativity while encouraging residents to make their living spaces their own.
Sixty-four hopefuls entered their rooms in the competition. As the grand prize winner, Steele was awarded $100 in Eagle Dollars and a custom FGCU beach towel — a fitting prize, given that one reason she chose FGCU was its unique waterfront setting.
“I wanted to experience college somewhere that felt different from home, and I wanted to be near the beach,” she said. “My parents and I put a lot of time and personality into decorating my room.”
A winning design
Steele describes her South Village bedroom as “cute, cozy and colorful.” Pink — her favorite color — is the primary palette.
Her room feels straight out of an HGTV makeover. An elevated bed dressed in crisp, white bedding and topped with a vibrant coral-pink throw introduces both color and comfort. Underfoot, a patterned area rug stretches nearly the length of the room. A sleek vanity and workspace combination, illuminated makeup mirror, full-length mirror and plush pink desk chair create a dedicated “study-now, get-ready-later” area that feels lush.
Decorative details like photos and playful accents, including a starfish-shaped pillow and stacked ottoman add charm without overwhelming the 120-square-foot bedroom. Several Jellycats, including a smiling cup of lemonade, perch on her furniture. A Lego floral arrangement provides a practical-yet-pretty touch above her vanity, and coordinating artwork with gold accents lines the wall above her bed.
For inspiration, she drew from her family home and Pinterest.
“I wanted my room to have a lot of personality and to have a home-like feel to it,” Steele said.
The overall effect is one of intentional design. Every element, from the coordinated color scheme to the carefully selected décor, works together to create a residence hall room that is equal parts stylish and distinctly personal.
“There was somewhat of a budget. I brought a lot of things I had back home, but all the furniture is new,” she said. “I think you can make a room look really nice without spending a ton of money.”
Building a sense of community
The Best Dressed Nest contest provides an opportunity for students to engage with one another, share ideas and take pride in their campus home, said Charlie Braun, director of housing operations for Housing & Residence Life.
“For many students — especially those living away from home for the first time — their residence hall room becomes their primary living space,” he said. “Creating a comfortable and familiar environment can help ease the transition to college, reduce stress and foster a sense of belonging on campus.”
FGCU offers three distinct housing options. South Village, a community created with first-year students in mind, houses about 2,300 students in five residential buildings within walking distance of the SoVi pool and SoVi Dining. On the waterfront of Lake Como and within walking distance of Alico Arena, North Lake Village houses roughly 2,000 students in four-person, two-bath apartments, each with a living room and kitchen. West Lake Village, a year-round community designed for almost 500 upper-level students, is located less than two miles north of campus.
Room to shine at FGCU
While every residence hall room tells a story, FGCU’s Best Dressed Nest contest celebrates those that do so with exceptional style.
After community voting, a panel of judges reviewed spaces for “personality, thoughtful planning and a cohesive aesthetic while making effective use of the room layout,” according to Braun.
A carefully designed space can positively influence focus, organization and overall well-being, he said. When students feel comfortable and supported in their environment, they are often better positioned to build routines, study effectively, connect with others and fully engage in the college experience.
While decorating has always been something she’s enjoyed, Steele wanted her room “to feel like home.” If she decorated a whole house, she said she’d add more pictures and personal touches — but less pink.
That eye for design is one reason the judges singled out Steele’s space.
“I was honestly so surprised and excited when I found out my room had been picked as the grand prize winner,” she said. “I was very excited to tell my family and friends because they had seen how much work I put into my room.”
Any advice for other students looking to make their bedroom a winner?
“You don’t have to copy someone else’s room or spend a lot of money. Your room should be a place where you feel comfortable and excited to come back,” she said. “My room is where I get to study, get ready, relax and spend time with my roommates and friends.”
