It can be easy to let the idea of furnishing and decorating your apartment stress you out, but don't let it. We all want to get it right straight out of the gate, but good furniture and décor can take time and thought. But don't forget to make the process fun and enjoyable! You are slowly transitioning your little home into something that expresses how you live and love life.
To help you figure out the best way to furnish and decorate your apartment we found several articles that will help you get a plan and then decide which pieces to start with!
Written and posted by Rent.com
Trying to furnish every single room can get quite overwhelming, which is why you should tackle each space on its own. Ideas take time to form, and trying to measure every single room and come up with creative uses of space will feel more like a chore than it has to be. If your goal is to come in under budget, be patient. Sloppiness leads to corner-cutting, which is the basis of buyer remorse and overspending. Start with your living room, and figure out what you need and what you have room for. When everything has been measured and purchased, that’s when you can move onto the next room.
Everyone wants to inject a little personality into their home, so it’s easy to overspend. This is why it’s great to set a budget before you even start looking for furniture. To do this, think function and space by honing in on a budget per room. Doing so will help narrow your search to couches, tables, etc., that are in your price range. Keep in mind that if you purchase a couch that’s below budget, you may be able to splurge on other items, like a rug or a coffee table. Define the projects at the start — such as your play areas, office and living space – and you’ll have the right focus to accomplish your tasks.
When I was furnishing my small apartment, I focused on getting one piece at a time; like the sofa, then the coffee table, then the TV stand, etc. I didn’t really think about how all of these elements would blend together. I ended up with a sleek black coffee table, an old wood TV stand and a light-colored leather couch – not exactly a space designed by Nate Berkus. So my advice to you would be to consider how all of these individual elements would look and function when paired. Identify a style you like, whether it’s modern, vintage or rustic, and look for furnishings that fit that particular design and add depth to your small apartment. This is known as layering, and it can make your small space really pop.
Looking for different ideas on the type of furniture or décor items for each room? We found this article that goes through each room and the basic items that will bring it to life and have it feeling like home in no time. Bonus: You can do it on a budget to!
Nothing makes a room look unfinished faster than bare windows. Not to mention, you’ll be lacking in privacy. Whether you go with blinds or simple curtains and a curtain rod, make sure to add window treatments to each room in your new apartment. Don’t know what kind to buy? Choose a simple neutral shade. You can always add a second curtain panel in a geometric print or bold color.
Swapping out boring, basic light fixtures can make a huge difference in how your room looks and functions. Some lighting fixture ideas include:
As a rule of thumb, try to have two different light sources in each room. For example, add a floor lamp and an overhead light fixture in your living room, a table lamp and a pendant in your bedroom and an overhead light fixture and under-cabinet lighting in your kitchen.
Moving into a new apartment doesn't have to be overwhelming! It can be fun and exciting to be in a new place that has endless possibilities.
Download our 13 Things To-Do Immediately After Move-In to make sure you accomplished all the little things that most people forget until they've been living in their new home for several months!