Kahera, 25

“I have always wanted to have my achievements and memories on display to remind me of the things that make me, me”

[Kahera in her bedroom, 2017]

Firstly, how have you been?

“I’ve been very well, keeping active and busy throughout my time on furlough. Working on self-development and physical & mental health.”

Are you still in the same bedroom?

“No, I am not in the same bedroom. I’ve been in this new bedroom for nearly 3 years.”

Looking back at your bedroom in 2017, what has changed?

“This room is a lot more spacious, and I feel like I have grown up. I also now share this space with my boyfriend which is a brand-new step for me.”

Can you paint us a picture of what life was like for you back then?

“I wasn’t at my happiest during this time. You can see in one of the photos that I have boxes from where I hadn’t fully unpacked my room from when I first moved in. Not a lot of décor was completed hence why photos weren’t put on the wall and things were displayed to hide other things.

I spent a lot of time in my room and as my flat was in the basement of a house, I couldn’t see much outside and my room was quite dark.”

What do you love about your bedroom?

“I love the light in the room. I have a nice, mini balcony that I spend a lot of time on during the summer. I also take pride in the display of photos and plants.”

What does your bedroom mean to you?

“It’s a warm, comforting, private place. I don’t feel trapped in there like I did in my previous room. It’s a completed product that I am proud of.”

How much time do you spend in your bedroom?

“At the moment, I spend more time in my bedroom than I usually do, being on furlough. Home workouts in the morning and often spend my time watching movies in the evenings and reading before bed.”

What's the most recent addition to your bedroom?

“My boyfriend’s wardrobe. He has recently moved in and the clothes storage space that I had wasn’t enough for the both of us.”

What inspired you to decorate your room this way?

“I wanted to utilise the space in this room the best I can. This is the first bedroom I had where I didn’t have my bed up against the wall. I had to take the doors for the balcony into consideration with space to enter/exit the balcony freely. I have always wanted to have my achievements and memories on display to remind me of the things that make me, me.”

If you could change anything about your bedroom, what would it be?

“I am very happy with my room, and how it is right now. I would change the amount of available floor space that I have just so that I have a bit more use. I often take dance classes and do home workouts in my bedroom.”

In 4 years time, where do you want to be?

“Bedroom wise, I hope to be in a bedroom owned by my boyfriend and I, in a property that we’ve bought. Fully furnished and fully decorated with a furry friend (pet) alongside us.
I am an aspiring dancer and have had to put my career goals on hold due to finances and most recently the pandemic, so in 4 years I would like to have a consistent dance job working with a company and performing regularly.”