Interior designer Claire Berger said dorm rooms or apartments should give students comfort and pride but are often left stark.

One person can win a chance to have Berger, who was born in Chicago and a graduate of Illinois State University, makeover their room at University Board’s “Extreme EIU — Makeover Edition.”

“Just because you are in college you don’t need to live with white walls,” said UB Chair JC Miller.

At 7 p.m. Saturday in the University Ballroom in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union, students will receive a raffle to win the makeover by Berger as well as a chance for other prizes.

Thirteen prizes like rugs, stereos, lamps and pictures will be given away.

“Electronically, it’s going to be huge,” said Katie Skaggs, UB special events coordinator.

While students wait to see if they won Berger will give students tips on how to organize and update small areas with simple ideas.

“It’s a great way to learn how to manage your room,” Skaggs said.

Miller agrees adding that whether you win a prize or not students will learn decorating tips.

“Everyone who attends will be taking something home with them,” she said.

Berger has visited many colleges where she has made over student rooms since she started the series last school year.

“It’s more purchase and place than build and construct,” she said.

She uses what she learned during her television series “Fantasy Open House” that aired on the HGTV network and applies it to help students gain confidence about where they live.

“(It is) a way to create a home away from home,” Berger said. “It’s been enormously gratifying

for me and them.”

For Berger, who is a mother of a college student, redoing students’ rooms is a way for her to be a part of that time in her child’s life. She also remembers her days as a college student and the insecurities she felt.

In the past, Berger has completed rooms for students, mostly those on scholarships, who were without sheets and hangers and only had “the clothes on their back.”

Berger gave them items like rugs, bedding, pictures and lamps, which will be given to whoever wins at Eastern, to give students more confidence.

“Those little luxuries give you a sense of pride,” she said.

Berger has bought some items in advance for whoever wins, and, depending on the student’s likes and dislikes, she will purchase the rest in town.