If you are moving out of your parent’s home for the first time, you are likely on a tighter budget and living with roommates. Thankfully, this mix is very doable. Once you and your roommates have found an apartment or condo to rent, divide costs and determine how you will decorate your apartment on a budget together.
Use Second-Hand Furniture
The first thing you will likely search for is furniture – but don’t immediately go to the store. Instead, utilize second-hand websites to find a bed frame, a dresser, a nightstand, and a desk for your bedroom. Look at the ones you find in person and determine if their quality is reliable and clean.
When it comes to living room furniture, first ask family members if they have extra couches or a loveseat lying around that they could part with. You may be surprised by how many pieces of furniture you can find this way. If you can’t find any by asking, search online as well. You may find slightly-used furniture for a fraction of the in-store price. Be sure to find side tables, a coffee table alongside couches and a loveseat for your living room, and a table and a set of chairs for the kitchen.
Finding usable second-hand furniture doesn’t mean you can’t fix it up a bit, either. Buy some white, black, or grey paint or table covers and make your used furniture look as good as new.
Spruce Up the Walls
Once you have furniture and have moved into your new apartment, it’s time to decorate. Depending on where you live, your rent may be very high. You may need to save money on rent and find cheap ways to decorate your apartment or condo.
You may want to spruce up the walls. Be sure to check with your landlord about what you can tape to the walls and if you are allowed to hammer nails in the walls to hang decorations. If your landlord is lenient, consider buying some removable wallpaper. This addition to your walls can make your new place feel homey and inviting. Consider finding a tapestry to hang on your wall, too.
Finding hanging decorations for your new apartment’s bedroom, living room, and kitchen is easy, too. You can find second-hand but lightly used paintings and wall hangings online or at a thrift store. Places like GoodWill also have an abundance of random artifacts and goodies that can cheaply add some pizzazz to your new apartment.
Find Cheap Accessories and Decor
A vase is one of the many knickknacks you can find at a second-hand store. Flowers, other plants, and candles are great decorations for an apartment. They bring life and a homey feeling to a room.
Did you know that the floral industry is worth over $100 billion? Purchasing real flowers can be more expensive upkeep than you’d like. Consider buying fake flowers at a craft store to put in vases around your new home. Fake plants are also easily found at home goods stores. If you want real plants around your bedroom, living room, or kitchen, consider purchasing ones that require little upkeep, like cacti.
Invest In Your Bedroom’s Comfort and Style
When it comes to your own bedroom, be sure to make investments that are worth it now and for the future, but also keep in mind what can be purchased cheaply. Buy a high-quality mattress and set of pillows. Most mattress brands recommend that you rotate or flip the bed anywhere from once every three months to once a year, so keep this in mind so you can sleep well. You wouldn’t want to purchase something big like a mattress again if it isn’t necessary. On the other hand, perhaps buy a comforter and sheets and pillowcases on the cheaper side. You can easily find these items at home goods stores.
Decorate your bedroom to make you happy – but don’t go overboard. If you buy too many decorations, your small space can feel overcrowded. Add decorations to the walls, but don’t fill them up. Maybe some of the high-quality decorations from a sweet 16 you planned could be repurposed. Consider purchasing a mirror or two to make your bedroom feel bigger.
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