Moving out with a group of friends, a roommate, a partner, or by yourself, is a very exciting moment in life. More than just a bedroom in your parents’ house, this is a space that is entirely your own. You can set the rules and decorate it any way you like. You can find your personal style.
While it sounds like fun, outfitting your first place can be a daunting prospect, especially if you want more personality than “stuff from my parents’ basement”.
We’ve rounded up our best tips to guide you in making your first apartment your own, with your own style, and your own budget. And since we know your first apartment most likely won’t be your last, our tips are here to help you on your journey to your forever home. We want to make sure you have fun and explore your personality and style, all while being renter friendly.
Buying on budget: When to save and when to splurge
Budget is a big factor in making your first apartment your own. You only have so much money so you need to decide where to save and when to splurge. For your first apartment, truly the only splurge should be a good quality mattress in your bedroom. Everything else can be bought on a budget at the beginning. Look to thrift stores, online marketplaces, and friends and family. While you might be receiving cast off items, this is a great time to try a weekend renter friendly DIY and upcycle your furniture, décor, and more. There are a large number of amazing websites and blogs dedicated to renter friendly décor and DIY projects, these can be super helpful when looking for ways to transform the space without leaving a permanent mark (or breaking the bank!). Over time, as you move onto new spaces and places, you will consider investing in ‘keeper’ items like art, select furniture items, and décor accessories.
Determining your style
The style of our first apartment and the style we grow into later in life are different, so don’t worry about getting it all right the first, second, or even third time you decorate. Your first apartment is the time and place to play with colours, try new things, and experiment with styles. This is why it isn’t the time to splurge on expensive dining room furniture or the dreamy bed frame unless you are totally sure you’ll love it 20 years from now. Take hand-me-downs and hand-me-overs from friends and family and see what sticks but be sure to keep space in mind (see the next step). A budget-buy of something new-to-you may be just around the corner, so it’s always fun to stick it out through mis-matched lamps and furniture and play house.
Small apartment and condo sized furniture
It’s a sight very common for apartments, seeing a sofa, table, or desk being brought up via rope into a window or balcony. Why? Stairs and small spaces, that’s why. One key consideration for your first apartment should be space. It most likely won’t be big (see budget above), and even if you do luck out with larger rooms, the staircase or elevator to reach your new abode likely won’t accommodate big stuff. A giant sectional sofa, for example, is not desired hand-me-downs. While it may be nice to have a free sofa, it’s no help when it’s still on the front lawn at the end of moving day. Rather than one big sofa, perhaps that first apartment has a few great desk chairs.
Multifunctional furniture
Speaking of chairs! This brings us to our next big tip for styling up and making the best use of your space in your first apartment: multifunctional furniture. We already know the space is small, so it’s nearly impossible to have the full living room set, dining room set, home office, bedroom, guest room, and the list goes on. In some cases, one room (other than the bathroom) does all the things, so having furniture that does more than one thing is a game changer.
Some examples include using your desk as a dining table for when guests come over, or furniture you can easily move around (see above with chairs vs. a big sofa) to accommodate a group of people. Turning a single bed (guest bed) into a day bed slash couch for the living room is a fun idea too (perhaps with a trundle /storage/ or captain’s bed underneath for even more space!). Another great option is sofa beds (they aren’t your grandparents old uncomfortable ones anymore…sofa beds have really improved in comfort).
Must-have essentials
Just like in life, it’s the little things that make the difference. Look to simple décor items and accessories like lamps, throw pillows, and other items to truly make the space your own.
The key with making sure your first apartment is truly memorable is sharing it with others. You can have others help make the space your own too! Have a painting party and get friends to help out. And once you’re settled in, welcome friends for casual meals, parties, and special occasions. No one will remember the colour of the sofa, but they will remember the company.
Your first apartment isn’t about creating the perfect Instagram-worthy spaces. It’s about creating spaces that make you want to share it friends because it’s yours, mis-matched lamps, and all.
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