The room of third-year Business Information Technology student Tyra Dunkin (21) is a maximalist museum filled with memories. Best of all, she has the entire place to herself.
Room: A 25-square-metre room in the residential complex De Box. She pays €600 in rent without housing benefit and roughly €400 with the benefit included, covering utilities. She has her own bathroom and kitchen, meaning she has no housemates.
How long have you lived here?
‘Almost a year now. It took about four months before I could move in. Before that, I spent a lot of time sleeping at friends’ places. I think that’s something almost every student goes through. It’s a bit of a canon event.’
Well, four months isn’t too bad!
‘True, but moving in was quite a horror story. The previous tenant didn’t exactly leave the room in great condition. There was mould in some places, and there’s a strange stain near the toilet that I simply can’t get rid of. I’ve tried everything. The room was completely empty as well, there wasn’t any furniture. I even had to install the flooring myself. As a student, you obviously don’t have the money for proper floor insulation, so it gets pretty cold if you’re not wearing shoes.’
I do see a lot of stuff around. Where did it all come from?
‘There are marketplace groups within the university where people sell a lot of furniture. I also got quite a few things from friends who were moving out. Most of the rest consists of gifts and keepsakes, so many of the items have sentimental value. I really enjoy collecting fridge magnets and flowers that I receive.’
Neat freak or messy housemate?
‘Definitely a neat freak, although I live in a very maximalist way. I own an enormous amount of stuff, but everything is always clean and tidy. I spread the bigger cleaning jobs across several days each week. I wipe down the kitchen counter every day and vacuum weekly as well. I find it difficult to focus when a place is messy.’
You must have a funny anecdote, right?
‘Oh, plenty. We once had a party with some of the other residents, and everyone was outside. A friend and I were fairly drunk and had briefly gone back to my room. She started explaining something her boyfriend had done recently, if you know what I mean, and wanted to demonstrate it. Well, halfway through acting it out on my bed, another friend walked in because he needed to use the bathroom. Try explaining that one.’
