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Simply Guide To Making the Most of Your Apartment

Decorating a new space can be daunting. Yes, there’s the excitement of change, and a new space acts like a blank canvas—one where you can reinvent yourself and your interior tastes. But all that excitement often gets shrouded in white walls and the millennial grey apartments and homes that occupy the market.


I’m three years out of college and have moved four times—three apartments and one townhouse. All that moving has taught me a lot about what I want in a space. However, not all of it could be achieved with a limited budget and the lackluster styling of typical apartments. I was determined not to let that stop me. I work from home and spend a lot of time in my apartment, so creating a cozy environment was a priority.

Which leads me to this post, so I can share everything I’ve learned, along with certain products and styles that helped me curate my dream space, all within the constraints of apartment living.


Furniture

The biggest and often argued most important aspect of any living space is the furniture. I splurged on my couch, though I still got it at a discount by calling my local Pottery Barn and purchasing the floor model that was on sale. Any coffee table will do, though I found that a wooden one helps warm up a grey apartment. Rugs are a great way to break up a space and add comfort to linoleum floors.

Finally, the star of the show: my bookshelves. They’re affordable and low-key. The best part? You can purchase as many as you need to fit your space. I wanted the bookshelves to expand across the entire wall. It brings the space together and provides a base for all the decoration we'll cover next.


Decoration

Decoration is the heartbeat of any household, and I encourage you to browse Pinterest to really figure out what you like. If you see a picture that catches your eye, take a moment to dissect what you really love about it.

For me, I loved the warmth of a full bookshelf (thankfully, I already loved to read). A curated shelf full of trinkets and character made the room feel cozy and inviting. I wanted my space to speak to who I am, so I focused on that.

A salt lamp is a simple yet functional item that can warm even the blandest of spaces. A frame added to my TV made the gallery wall more cohesive. Simple wood and black frames where I could showcase art and photography I liked, really made the space my own. (You can print digital art from Etsy or even your own photography.)

Finally, no space is complete without coffee table books and houseplants to add greenery and life to a white space.


Electronics

Nowhere does it say you need to sacrifice comfort for design. That’s why I still incorporated a soundbar into my space. The Samsung soundbar is so sleek that it doesn’t take away from the overall aesthetic. Besides, it’s a good compromise for all the benefits my Samsung Frame TV provides.


A simple white cord hider conceals cords without requiring you to drill into the wall. Another non-negotiable for me was an air purifier. As someone who struggles with severe seasonal allergies, the Levoit air purifier was a must-have. It’s sleek and doesn’t take away from the cozy atmosphere.

These are just a few of the items that helped me curate my dream apartment. But I’ll leave you with a word of encouragement:


The best decoration is the one that makes you excited to unwind at the end of the day. The kind that has you stopping to admire the space you created. Don’t let the trends of today or the “rules” of interior design stop you from finding what you love.


It’s that simple.


This post contains affiliate links, and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I only recommend products and services that I genuinely use and trust.


Linked below are some of my favorite coffee table books:


 
 
 

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