For some students, racing to the store the day before college begins to buy bedding and a few wall posters is a thing of the past. Today a wave of undergraduates, especially in the Southern states, are hiring interior designers to completely make over their dorm rooms at a cost of thousands of dollars per room. Students often seek custom bedding, a cabinet to hide the mini-fridge and microwave, wallpaper, and a matching headboard, according to designer Eden Bowen Montgomery. The desire for cozy, personalized spaces grew during the Covid-19 pandemic, designers say, as students sought comfort in their environments.TikTok and other social media platforms amplified the trend, with students sharing before and after shots of their rooms. Of course, not everyone wants or can afford to hire a professional. But those who do are often excited to show off the results. Says Lesley Lachman, a freshman at the University of Mississippi, “I leave my door open with so much pride and confidence.”