How do you get more students to stick around in a study room? The short answer: you take them back in time.
In the student housing area Colonia in Linköping, three ordinary study rooms have been transformed into creative and inspiring time capsules. One captures the glamour of the ’40s, another the playful energy of the ’60s, and the third bursts with ’80s pop culture. Behind the idea, the design, and the hands-on work is Amanda – a student and creative spirit with a great sense for detail, sustainability, and the charm of the past.
But these rooms aren’t just about aesthetics. They’ve become places for focus, conversation, and connection. Velvet chairs, bold colors, neon lights, sewing machines, and cassette tapes invite not only studying but also creative energy.
It all started with a simple idea: to make the rooms feel more inviting. When Amanda teamed up with Rickard from the property management team, things quickly gained momentum. Together, they created a concept where each room reflects a decade, with almost everything sourced second-hand and chosen with care.
“I wanted it to feel real. Most things are vintage finds I carried home from Linköping and Gotland. Even the record player in the ’40s room still works,” Amanda says.
Colonia is a place where creativity is given space to grow. It’s where collaboration between students and housing staff turns ideas into reality. And it’s where reused treasures and thoughtful details become part of something bigger – a living space that feels welcoming, encourages people to stay longer, and fosters a sense of home.
More rooms are already in the pipeline. In 2026, the ’50s, ’70s, and ’90s will get their own unique takes.
The time travel is just getting started!
