A 20 Year Evolution in Student Housing
Why Student Housing Has Changed
Over the past 20 years, student housing interior design has changed dramatically to accommodate the evolving needs and desires of new residents. Today’s student living environments stand in stark contrast to the institutional-style cells that passed for housing years ago. There are many reasons why this needed change is transforming the landscape of student housing interior design, and developers, owners, and apartment managers need to act now to embrace the change if they have hopes of attracting and retaining residents.
When Did Students Get So… Needy?
While some might attribute the sudden change in student living to the coronavirus pandemic of 2020, student housing design has been at the forefront of many property owners’ minds long before COVID-19 was ever a concern. In 2013, college campuses opened their doors to an entirely new population of students known as Generation Z. Born and raised in a society heavily influenced by mobile devices and modern technology, Gen Z students are used to having their needs prioritized.
As technology continues to dominate everyday life, tomorrow’s students will only come to expect more from their college living experience. Properties that fail to adapt to these changing needs will ultimately fall short of their leasing objectives.
What Do Today’s Students Expect from Their Living Experience?
Amenities Are Everything
First and foremost, students expect access to a broad range of amenities. This doesn’t just include things like on-site laundry facilities and fitness centers: Properties need to expand their reach to include more high-end amenities that speak to residents’ unique surroundings. Such amenities might include:
- Resort-style Pools
- Dog Parks
- Luxury Finishes
- Private Bathrooms & Bedrooms
- High-speed Internet
- Indoor-outdoor Living Areas
- Game Rooms
- Full Kitchens
When choosing which amenities to include in your student housing property, it’s important to take stock of the local competition. Find out what other properties are offering residents that your apartment is currently lacking to easily fill the void and attract new students.
The Social Media Factor
As we mentioned earlier, today’s students are heavily influenced by mobile devices and social media in particular. Students want to have a “cool apartment” to show off on their social media profiles like Instagram and TikTok. Status signaling is a big part of today’s student culture, so it’s important to include unique architectural aspects in your student housing design that will make it stand out more on social media. This is why many student living managers are turning to skilled interior design specialists to help reimagine their spaces and attract more residents.
How Does SouthPark Interiors Approach Student Housing Design?
For nearly 20 years, SouthPark Interiors has remained on the cutting edge of student housing interior design. We pride ourselves on delivering living spaces that withstand the test of time but are still funky, cool, and edgy while offering unique amenities and luxury finishes. Our design specialists are capable of creating one-of-a-kind student housing properties that stand out from the crowd. With our years of student housing design experience, we are eager to help you refresh your space and attract new residents to your apartment. Discover how we can help transform your student housing design by connecting with our interior design team today!