Moving into a first apartment can mean something different for everyone: for some, it is the mark of their independence, a rite of passage as one enters adulthood. For others, it is the beginning of a new life with a new family, an opportunity to create memories. For the rest, it is a rude awakening--this apartment is tiny! It looks nothing like the one I saw on "Friends"!
For those of you feeling a bit overwhelmed by the cramped space and sheer drabness of your first apartment, do not fret! Sprucing up your first apartment can be a fun and exciting way to personalize your living space. And you don't have to break the bank either. Here are a few low-budget tips that can apply to anyone looking to brighten up their space--from Manhattan renters to Utah homebuilders.
Start at the Bottom
I cannot stress enough the importance of a functional floor! I've been in so many apartments with stained carpets, scratched laminate, or warped linoleum. Before you begin work on decorating your apartment, make sure the floor is as clean as you can get it--you will use your floor more than anything else in the whole apartment. With hard surfaces, sweep every week, and mop twice a month. With carpets, vacuum every week, and shampoo every 3 to 6 months.
Sometimes, however, cleaning is not enough. Besides being a good starting point for developing a theme to your apartment, area rugs and hallway runners are both easy and relatively inexpensive to install. When picking a rug, consider your budget, space, and style. While wool rugs are a little pricier, they easily class up any space, and even look better over time. Whatever shape, size or material you decide to go with, this addition can enliven even the most boring and worn floor.
Embrace the Crisis
Occasionally, you may find yourself paying for that first apartment in ways you didn't expect. I'm not talking about hidden fees or never, ever, getting your security deposit back. No, I'm referring to ugly color schemes on the walls, outdated hardware--anything that begs the question, what were these people thinking?
If your landlord/lady is especially gracious, you'll sometimes be permitted to paint your first apartment whatever color you like and make minor changes as you see fit. If this is not the case for you, remember this one rule:
Poor colors richly matched will still look better than rich colors poorly matched.
So, if your bathroom happens to resemble the inside of an avocado, or the living room slightly on the pinker side of beige, do not distress--you just found your new starting point! From the towels in your bathroom, to the curtains on your living room, you can match all of your apartment updates to the existing color scheme and still make it look great. If you're still having trouble deciding which color goes with which, visit your local hardware store, and they'll provide you with sample strips that will help you find the perfect color.
See the Light
A well-lit apartment can appear larger, more welcoming, and even cleaner than a poorly-lit one. When choosing lamps, lighting fixtures, and even bulbs, don't feel like you have to go overboard. Your lamps and lighting fixtures should be powerful enough to light up the whole room, without taking up too much space (or dollars, for that matter). If you find yourself repeatedly hitting your head on a low-hanging chandelier, you may want to consider installing a couple tall lamps in the corners of the room. And while I'm all for saving electricity, using too many energy-saving bulbs can make your apartment look like a hospital room. Make sure your lamps and fixtures can tone down that harsher light.
Let's not forget about windows! The more natural light the better, so try to keep your windows as clean as possible. Also, replacing those cheap blinds you find on most apartment windows with curtains will make you feel more like you're in a home, and less like you're on some kind of stakeout.
The Art of Art
A few pieces of artwork hung on the walls or set on your coffee table can keep your apartment from feeling so empty and uninhabited. Now, I don't want you to think that your apartment needs to look like the inside of an Applebee's in order to look interesting; too many pieces of art can make your apartment look cluttered and schizophrenic. Find a balance that is right for you.
Where do you find such art? Most antique stores have a good selection from time to time, but if you can find a starving artist, you'll definitely get something unique--and for a good price to boot!
A Place for Everything
Speaking of cluttered apartments, don't let yours be one of them. I realize that many apartments are anything but spacious. Throw in a couple roommates or children, and keeping a clean, organized appearance can seem impossible.
Not so. For clutter-prone areas, a bookshelf or a wooden chest can be a stylish and effective storage space. Don't be afraid to consolidate and even give/throw away what you don't use or need. Knowing how to organize your space will keep it looking roomy and clean.