Decked-Out Dorms: Aleja McLinn (SHA’22)
Click on the circles above to see more of what Aleja McLinn displays in her dorm room.
Name: Aleja McLinn (SHA’22)
Address: A single in South Campus, a stone’s throw from the St. Mary’s stop on the Green Line.
Short bio: McLinn is a hospitality administration major at the School of Hospitality Administration, with hopes of one day becoming an event planner and interior designer. At BU, she is involved in Alianza Latina, BU’s Latin American student union, is an admissions ambassador, and is on the admissions office’s student diversity board. She recently starred in a BU Admissions Instagram takeover. Diagnosed with type I diabetes when she was in elementary school, McLinn is also helping to form a club for other students with the disease.
Fashion credentials: Worked at (the now-bankrupt) Forever 21 in high school, as well as at the school’s student store.
Design philosophy: It’s all about the light—McLinn’s friends teased her last year during room selection because she chose her room based on how much afternoon sun it receives. She did research ahead of time, consulting online blueprints and Google Maps to confirm that the room was west-facing. She traces her need for light to growing up in her hometown of Vancouver, Wash., where it “always rains.”
She also followed the advice of Geneve Lau (COM’21), a past “Decked-Out Dorms” star, who recommended removing the hutch part of the BU-issued desk to allow more light into her room and positioning the desk against a window.
The single life: McLinn loves living in a single and being able to do her own thing without having to consider roommates. “Even when I was living back home, I viewed my room as my safe space. I like going there to decompress after a long day, and no one bothers me,” she says. “I lived with a roommate in Myles last year, and I loved it, but this year I wanted a space to stop and relax.” She feels especially lucky to have a large closet, where she can store her desk hutch and massive suitcases.
Where she shops: The pink throw is from Target’s Threshold line ($44) and reminds her of a similar blanket belonging to her abuela. The fuzzy blanket was $16 at TJ Maxx. McLinn is also a big fan of yard sales and hits them when she’s back home.
A popular trend she shamelessly follows: The marble print (her desk drawers, top of her desk, and bulletin board).
Where she finds her decorating inspiration: Pinterest
Random tip for those looking to decorate their rooms: Have a clean study space, she recommends. “It’s hard to focus on what you’re supposed to be learning when your space is cluttered. If you’re going to study in your room, don’t study in your bed, because when you’re on your bed your brain thinks you’re supposed to be sleeping.”
In “Decked-Out Dorms,” students show off their stylish and unique dorm rooms and apartments, dish on where they found their bedding and decor, and talk about the trinkets that remind them of home.
Is your room worth sharing? Email amlaskow@bu.edu.
This Series
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Decked-Out Dorms
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November 18, 2020
Decked-Out Dorms: Jordan Kreindler (COM’24)
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