how do i style my first apartment

10 Must-Follow Rules for Decorating Your First Apartment

1. Pick appropriately scaled furniture. Save your dreams of a giant, cozy sectional for future homes. ...
2. Find furniture that multi-tasks. Wood recommends dual-purpose furniture to get the most bang for your buck in your (probably) small space.
3. Focus on storage. ...
4. Start with found art. ...
5. Resist the allure of freebies. ...
6. Lean into removable wallpaper. ...
7. Go green. ...

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Full Answer

Where can I find first apartment tips and decorating guidelines?

These first apartment tips and decorating guidelines come courtesy of Alessandra Wood, VP of style at design service Modsy. Following these tips may not get you the farmhouse kitchen decor of your dreams, but it will set you up for decorating success in the first space you can properly call your own.

How to choose the right furniture for your first apartment?

Save your dreams of a giant, cozy sectional for future homes. For a first apartment, big pieces may not fit into your new space, and too-large or too-small furniture could also throw the balance of the room off-kilter, giving your decorating efforts an amateurish look. 2. Find furniture that multi-tasks

How can I make my first apartment look grown up?

These tips will help make sure your first apartment looks totally grown up, but still young, fun, and vibrant. Nothing shows you're adulting like window treatments that aren't made of paper or plastic. Add flowing fabric curtains (or even Roman shades) to make your space feel more polished. See more at Sugar and Charm.

How to decorate an apartment for beginners?

Things like oregano, rosemary and cumin usually top the list. Buy some serving pieces and expand your inventory of pots and pans. Then, move on to the other rooms of your apartment, filling in gaps in furniture and accessories. This is also the time to start decorating.

How can I decorate my new apartment?

General apartment decorating ideasWindow treatments. Nothing makes a room look unfinished faster than bare windows. ... Lighting fixtures. Swapping out boring, basic light fixtures can make a huge difference in how your room looks and functions. ... Narrow table, cabinet or bench. ... Mirror. ... Wall hooks. ... Sofa. ... Coffee table. ... Wall art.More items...•

How do I decorate my first apartment on a budget?

Dress Your Windows with Ikea Ritva Curtains. ... Bring in a Hard-to-Kill Live Plant. ... Invest in Convertible (Mutli-Use) Furnishings. ... Consider an Indoor/Outdoor Rug. ... Give Thrifted Furniture a Custom Makeover. ... Save on the Sofa; Splurge on the Pillows. ... DIY Your Artwork.

How can I make my first apartment feel like home?

13 Ways To Make Your New Apartment Feel HomeyDo A Deep Clean. Before you get carried away with decorating, be sure to start with a deep clean. ... Be All About The Paint. ... Buy Real Furniture. ... Pay Attention To Lighting. ... Choose A Signature Scent. ... Display Those Sentimental Items. ... Cook Yourself A Meal. ... Get Your Privacy On.More items...•

How do I make my basic apartment look good?

13 Easy Ways To Instantly Make Your Apartment Feel More Grown UpFrame Your Art. Stanisic Vladimir/fotolia. ... Organize Your Alcohol. fotosr52/fotolia. ... Fill Your Space With Plants. ... Decorate With Books. ... Get Yourself One Quality Item. ... Update Your Lighting. ... Stock Your Bathroom. ... Pick Up Some White Sheets.More items...•

Where do I start when decorating an apartment?

8 Apartment Decorating TipsMake small spaces feel larger. ... Choose colors and patterns carefully. ... Pick a statement piece. ... Use smart storage. ... Make a gallery wall. ... Use mirrors. ... Modify built-ins. ... Use an area rug to divide the space.

What do I need for my first apartment checklist?

Your complete first apartment checklistGarbage bags.Trash cans.Hand soap.Cleaning supplies (like dish soap, disinfectant spray/wipes, dust spray, window cleaner, etc.)Extension cords.Surge protectors.Light bulbs.Document folders.More items...•

What makes an apartment homey?

Adding more texture is a quick way to create a resonating sense of coziness in your apartment space. Using the right combination of throw pillows, throw blankets, and rugs will quickly set the mood.

How long does it take to adjust to a new apartment?

Give yourself time to acclimate While one person may be able to settle happily into a new city after just a month, another may take a longer time adjusting to a new area. Based on personal experience, I'd estimate that it takes roughly three months to feel totally comfortable in your new neighborhood.

How can I make my living room look expensive?

8 Ideas to Make a Room Look Expensive01 of 08. Decorative Molding. The Spruce. ... 02 of 08. Display an Antique. Glow Decor / Getty Images. ... 03 of 08. Include Curvy Shapes. CR Laine. ... 04 of 08. Custom Window Treatments. ... 05 of 08. Add Metallic Items. ... 06 of 08. Fresh Flowers. ... 07 of 08. Create Vignettes. ... 08 of 08. Dimmer Switches.

How do I make my apartment cozy on a budget?

26 Budget-Friendly Ideas for a Cozy BedroomBring on the Blankets. When creating a cozy bedroom, you can never have too many throws. ... Layer Rugs. ... Add Ceiling Beams. ... Pile on the Pillows. ... Try a Tufted Headboard. ... Layer In Live Plants. ... Make Use of Texture. ... Create a Reading Nook.More items...

How can I make my flat look expensive?

Mix Textures. By adding different textures to a room, you create a custom (read: more expensive) look. Try adding a Turkish rug with a wood arm chair and metal accessories. Add some throw pillows in various textures such as silk and velvet to round out the look.

How do you style a small apartment?

0:219:2025 Ideas How to Make Your Small Apartment More Spacious - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you want to make your apartment look more spacious. Change the color of your floors. And walls toMoreIf you want to make your apartment look more spacious. Change the color of your floors. And walls to lighter shades. They will reflect more light and make your space feel airy.

How can I decorate my 1 bedroom apartment?

0:219:2025 Ideas How to Make Your Small Apartment More Spacious - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOne one of the most effective things you can do is paint your ceiling or cover it with wallpaper.MoreOne one of the most effective things you can do is paint your ceiling or cover it with wallpaper. This creates the illusion that the ceiling is higher making your space feel bigger.

How can I decorate my small apartment?

2:4111:4410 SMALL APARTMENT DECORATING TIPS + HACKS ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI actually have a full IKEA shelving system in front of my bed. And I use this space to my advantageMoreI actually have a full IKEA shelving system in front of my bed. And I use this space to my advantage to store a lot of my decorative. Accessories. And a lot of stuff now mine. Exactly.

How can I decorate my 2 bedroom flat?

1:583:56Interior Design — How To Decorate A 2-Bedroom Condo For Under 10kYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo a technique that i used was to pull everything away from the windows to give you the opportunityMoreSo a technique that i used was to pull everything away from the windows to give you the opportunity for more light as well as incorporating furniture that was a little bit more open a bench is nice

What to do in your first apartment?

“Instead, display unique art and decor that you collected in your travels, put photos of friends and family into new frames, and hang your diploma and other accolades front and center.”

How to decorate a first apartment?

Save your dreams of a giant, cozy sectional for future homes. For a first apartment, big pieces may not fit into your new space, and too-large or too-small furniture could also throw the balance of the room off-kilter, giving your decorating efforts an amateurish look. 2.

What to do with my great aunt's old sofa?

If you really have no choice but to take your great aunt’s old sofa, Wood suggests looking for new (and low-cost) pillows and throws that can freshen up your inherited piece. A new coat of paint can help other key pieces, such as bookshelves, coffee tables, and the like, feel new.

How to make a room feel homier?

Put lighting to work. The right lights can help your space feel homier, especially if it’s windowless or a little drab. Task, overhead, and table lighting all have different intensities and can help the space feel less stark; layering in candles adds a little mood lighting.

Can you paint a wall in a rental apartment?

Many rental apartments discourage painting walls, but you can still dress up those white walls with removable wallpaper. It’s moderately affordable (especially if you just do an accent wall), and so many options are available that you can really show off your personal style.

Is it easy to furnish an apartment?

Furnishing an apartment and making it homey and personalized is never easy, exactly, but it’s never quite as difficult as it is in that first apartment, when all you have is empty space to fill and a first apartment checklist (and probably not a lot of spending money).

What is minimalism in apartment design?

Minimalism encourages paring down furnishings to the bare essentials, leaving lots of white space, and living an uncluttered lifestyle.

What is the best way to display your favorite keepsakes?

Shelving provides instant storage and enhances your decor at the same time. Pick floating shelves, leaning shelf ladders, and corner shelving to display your favorite keepsakes, plants, and photos. Shelving is also an easy way to get your stuff off the floor and create more space.

Can you DIY furniture?

You can DIY your furniture and go the cheap route, but still pick one investment piece that will stay with you for years to come. Think about what's most important to your needs and lifestyle, like an incredibly comfortable couch or beautiful dining table big enough for friends.

How to make your apartment look more visual?

A mindset shift that can help create more visual space is to think vertical with your decorations. When thinking vertical, you will want to implement things like mirrors and shelves. Thinking vertical with your decorations could also mean that you skip out on any piece of furniture that is super wide and go for one that is taller instead.

What is a cozy apartment?

Some people might like dim lighting, while others crave a wide-open space. Placing your personal touches on your apartment to make you feel good will help you always look forward to coming home. Start to style your small apartment with the mood you want to obtain in mind, and take an inventory of what makes you feel good.

How do plants make a room feel?

Plants make any space feel more alive ! With more greenery, your rooms can seem to be more spacious. Plants have the magical ability to create space that feels more alive and comforting. Not to mention, taking care of plants as a hobby can be incredibly soothing and fun. Sometimes it is a matter of adding things that will help to elevate your mood! If you want to take it a step further, you can even start a compost in your apartment.

Do rug beds make a room cozy?

Rugs have the power to make any room super cozy. They can take an effortless area and turn it into one that is now full of warmth. Rugs also divide up the floor, making your space seem more significant than it is. Rugs can be expensive, so you may want to look at thrifting one or getting one off of Facebook Marketplace.

Can you use a mirror in an apartment?

Mirrors can add an incredible amount of length! It’s beneficial to use them to decorate a variety of places in your apartment. Not to mention, mirrors come in various shapes and sizes and add a unique and personal flair. It’s often the perfect addition to any area!

Find the Right Furniture

In any room, especially a small one, it’s essential to pay attention to the size of the furniture you buy (for example, a bed should fit comfortably and not take up the entire room).

Make Budget-Friendly Upgrades

Storage can not only help you maintain all of your belongings but it can be a budget-friendly essential. Gianacakos highly recommends IKEA's Billy Bookcase collection. “They have so many versatile options that allow for you to create a ‘custom look’ at a fraction of the price,” the designer gushes.

Know Where to Invest (and Where to Save!)

In a bedroom by Eneia White, an upholstered bed and patterned curtains make things cozy, while an oversized mirror makes a statement on one wall.

What to do before settling in?

Before settling in, take a few minutes and run to the nearest drug store or grocery store and grab: Toilet paper. Trash bags.

What to get for your first night in a new place?

That's typical if you don't have furniture yet. This is why one of the first things to get is a mattress. The bed frame can come later, but you need something comfortable for sleeping: Mattress. Bed frame. Sheets. Pillows.

What is a living room?

Living rooms are all about comfort. They're the place you'll curl up for a movie or host friends for a game night. While decor is a must for this room, you'll have plenty of time to curate the perfect space. Focus on these living room essentials first:

What to do after you settle in?

After you've settled in, unpacked and purchased all your essential items, it's time to go back and add items, especially to your kitchen, to make it a more complete space.

Do you need a starter toolkit for moving?

Having a basic, starter toolkit on hand will make your move easier. Plus, not everything requires a maintenance request, so you never know when tools will come in handy. Most shelving and furniture comes with its own set of hardware so no need for specialty items: Hammer.