University of Wisconsin–Madison

Best Room Contest

The deadline to enter this year’s Best Room Contest has passed. Finalists will be announced in early April.

Each year, University Housing hosts a competition to find the best-decorated room in the University Residence Halls. Show off your room for a chance to win prizes, have your room professionally photographed, and earn the title of the best room on campus, picked from hundreds of entries!

Best Room Contest promotional image

Prizes

T-shirt with "Wisconsin" text and Bucky Badger
  • If your entry adheres to the rules and eligibility, you and your roommates (if any) will be eligible to pick up a free Wisconsin Bucky Badger t-shirt from the University Book Store.
  • Each resident of one finalist room from each residence hall will receive a $25 University Book Store gift card.
  • Each resident of one grand prize winner room chosen from the finalists by Housing student employees will win a $300 University Book Store gift card and a $250 IKEA gift card.

Note: prizes provided by the University Book Store and IKEA, not UW–Madison. T-shirts can be picked up starting Monday, April 6 by showing a valid photo ID at the University Book Store’s State Street location.

Rules & Eligibility

University Housing’s Best Room Contest is open to undergraduate residents living in all residence halls.

  • Late entries (those submitted after March 8, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.) will be disqualified
  • Pictures of your room must have enough light that your room is clearly visible from a wide angle
  • A picture of you and any of your roommates must be included with one of the pictures uploaded
  • Rooms will be selected as finalists by University Housing staff based on cleanliness, creativity, best use of space, and individuality
  • If living in a double/triple/quad occupancy room, ALL roommates must agree to enter the contest
  • Entries that display a violation of the University Residence Halls contract or Student Housing Handbook will be disqualified
  • By entering the contest, participants agree to the use of their photographs and name to be used by University Housing in electronic/print publications, social media, promotional videos, and other multimedia
  • Finalists will be contacted by University Housing regarding a brief professional photo shoot in their room for judging and promotional purposes
  • Social media interactions will not be factored into the selection of the grand prize-winning room
  • Grand prize winners will need to complete paperwork to receive their prize and may need to report the prize on their tax forms
  • Prizes are provided by the University Book Store and IKEA, not UW–Madison
  • This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or other social media; you are providing your information to the UW–Madison Division of University Housing

2025 Winner

Slichter

Avery & Katie

2025 Slichter Best Room Contest finalist room
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We wanted to show Badger colors with a pink accent.
Avery & Kate, Slichter residents

2025 Finalists

Adams

Steven

Barnard

Christina

Bradley

Katelyn & Bella

Chadbourne

Noah & Carlos

Cole

Emily & Emallie

Dejope

Siiri, Maggie, Brooke, & Kelsie

Jorns

Rex & Aiden

Kronshage

Kathryn & Eliza

Leopold

Mason

Merit

Lindsey & Kasia

Ogg

Kendall, Abby, & Aubrey

Phillips

Paige-Elizabeth

Sellery

Avery & Ellie

Slichter

Avery & Katie

Smith

Michelle & Natalee

Sullivan

Claire & Sophie

Tripp

Andrea

Waters

Oliva & Anne

Witte

Madison & Hazel

Previous Winners

2024

Witte

Ava & Kate

2024 Witte Best Room Contest finalist room
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We both grew up as Badger fans, so we figured this was the only time in our lives we could really embrace decorating a room with all things WISCONSIN! We wanted to make it pretty and feminine, so we decided to go with a red and pink color scheme, with personalized artwork and monogrammed blankets. We love how it turned out and hope you do too!
Ava & Kate, Witte residents

2023

Cole

Pippi & Megan

A double room in Cole Residence Hall
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We wanted a cozy, down-to-earth vibe that made guests feel like they were walking into a mini-apartment. Being avid botany enthusiasts, we wanted to liven our space with an assortment of plants. We wanted a clean, boho aesthetic that also honored both of our individual interests and styles. The colors that best fit this vision included corals, oranges, pinks, blues, and of course greens. This artistic convergence of ideas is perhaps best exemplified in the rug that covers the entire floor, able to be exposed by the placement of our beds that creates a living space. We had so much fun accessorizing our spaces with our own personal touches that made our new place like our home away from home.
Pippi & Megan, Cole residents

2019

Kronshage

Madeleine & Brinda

A double room in Kronshage Residence Hall in 2019
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We wanted our room to say “sophisticated glam,” so we used lots of navy blue and bluish pink.
Madeleine & Brinda, Kronshage residents

2018

Ogg

Carley & Abby

A double room in Ogg Residence Hall in 2018
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When we found out we’d be living together, we immediately took to Pinterest. We knew we’d be in desperate need of a space that would be both comfortable and motivational at the same time. By combining our favorite colors, fluffy styles, and each other, we’ve created a space everyone in Ogg loves. We’ve also become advocates for our own room layout. We find it’s the best way to set up an Ogg room — where both beds and a futon are able to face a TV. We couldn’t be any happier with our room and we love this chance to share it with even more people!
Carley & Abby, Ogg residents

2017

Ogg

Dylan & Curtiss

A double room in Ogg Residence Hall in 2017

2016

Ogg

Ryan & Pierce

2015

Ogg

Ryan & Pierce

2014

Waters

Abbey & Morgan

2013

Sellery

Matt & Samuel