Moving into your first apartment is an exciting step for every young adult. It is a chance to establish your own household according to your own rules and tastes.
However, given that most people moving into their very first apartment are students or fresh graduates on a limited budget, actually furnishing your apartment without breaking the bank is a daunting task. Never fear, because here are our top tips on how to properly furnish your apartment without wasting money!
1. Look Into Hand-Me-Downs
It can be shocking how expensive some furniture can be. What student or young adult can afford to drop thousands of dollars on a single sofa? Buying second-hand furniture is a money-saver.
There are many ways to find second-hand furniture for bargain prices. Check online on places such as Craigslist. There will also likely be thrift stores and yard sales in your town, or you could even reach out to friends and family. If the furniture doesn’t quite fit your style, don’t shy away from buying a can of paint and sprucing up old furniture- just be creative!
2. Know What To Invest In
Although those cheap and cheerful furniture sets in IKEA seem tempting, in reality, you will spend more money trying to fix and replace cheap furniture than you originally saved. That $20 blender will end up costing you $100 while it keeps breaking.
As an adult, there are plenty of important basics worth investing in now to save money over the next few years. Items such as mattresses, kitchen equipment, electronics, and curtains all last decades if treated correctly and will pay themselves off.
3. Consider Renting For Now
Every interior decorator knows that the most important element in the home design is to have furniture that fits your space, both physically and design-wise. With that said, you might not want to buy lots of furniture that you aren’t sure you’ll want in a different apartment in the future.
This is where renting is a good option. There is a whole range available, from bare basics to complete home package at Fashion Furniture Rental. Whatever style or price point you are looking for, there will be an option. Some companies also offer student discounts, making renting an attractive and cost-effective option.
4. Stick To Neutrals
For most people in their first apartment, space is limited. As of 2016, the average size of apartments in the U.S was 964 sq ft! For this reason, it is best to stick to neutral colors when decorating. Too many bright colors in a small space becomes confusing to the eye.
Another factor to consider is wall color. If you’re renting, you might not be able to change the wall colors and it’s best to invest in furniture that will match every wall color. Sticking to simple, neutral colors ensures that you will be able to bring the furniture with you whenever you move next.
5. Houseplants
Houseplants (especially real ones) are an incredible way to improve the atmosphere of any apartment. From flowers on the table to pops of color in the corner, houseplants will fit into almost any apartment.
Beyond just their beauty, houseplants also provide health benefits. They improve the air quality in your apartment and help regulate the humidity of the room. Forget the expensive humidifiers- just buy a houseplant!
6. Don’t Stress!
At the end of the day, your first apartment doesn’t have to be a masterpiece of interior design. As a young adult or student, you don’t have to have everything figured out immediately, so don’t put pressure on yourself to make everything perfect.
Remember that this apartment is probably not your “forever” home and your tastes will change over the years. Take it slow!
Hopefully this helped enlighten the process of furnishing and decorating your first apartment. Good luck!
