Decorating a new space is one of the most exciting creative endeavors a girl can have. A new apartment is like a blank canvas where you can let your personality and unique style shine through in so many different ways. While the final product is something that will make your friends jealous and make it little bit harder to get off your cozy new couch, starting from scratch can be a little daunting. Luckily for you I’ve compiled a list of the top 5 places to shop for the ideal apartment decor and I’ve enlisted some help from girls who have survived decorating themselves, and women who do it on the daily.
1. Target
Definitely a no brainer here. Target has become the go-to store for just about any item you can think of, from clothes to snacks and even bed sheets! Target’s home section offers a lot of great necessities in very trendy styles. Candles, lamps and throw pillows are all essential items to pull together the look of your apartment but often their trends come and go pretty quickly. Luckily, Target offers a large selection of basic items at very affordable prices so, while your marble and rose gold coasters are perfect for this winter you will still be able to afford a new set when a new trend comes along. And since you’re already at Target it’s a great place to get pretty much anything else you may need for your apartment like toilet paper, soap and even groceries. If you’re tight on time and money head to Target and you won’t have to look any further.
2. Zara Home
A recent edition to the Zara lines offered in the US, Zara Home offers a wide range of pieces to bring life and style to your bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and tableware. Recent University of Illinois graduate, Annie Campbell (LAS ‘17) says, “I would keep decorations simple and on theme with the colors of my bedding. I loved using pictures I’ve taken of landscapes from countries I’ve visited to print onto black and white canvases. They can go with any color scheme and last forever.” Zara Home is the perfect place to shop around if you already have some key pieces that you want to center the rest of your decorations around. From solid basics to intricate designs Zara Home has any kind of supplemental pieces you may need. Not to mention, they also offer home fragrances that are incredible smelling and great for some aromatherapy.
3. CB2
Crate and Barrel is a classic destination for people from all ages, lifestyles and living spaces to browse for both large and small scale pieces for their home, it offers great classic pieces at a variety of price points. The only drawback is sometimes the pieces can be a bit traditional, so if you’re looking for furniture and decor with a little more personality meet Crate and Barrel’s younger, hotter sister CB2.
CB2 is a great place to look if you are really in the market for any and everything. Beds, sofas, bar carts and bookcases are just a few items you can get started with at CB2. Everything on this apartment checklist can be found in a variety of prints, patterns and styles at CB2 to match the personality of every type of girl.
4. Wayfair
If you’re a girl who knows what she wants, has a list ready to go and prefers to shop online then Wayfair is the place for you. Wayfair recently started gaining popularity because of their offer for free shipping when you spend $49 or more. More than a home store, Wayfair is a home world; the amount of products they offer seems endless. On one hand it’s great that you know you can find absolutely anything you may need for the home however, if you’re just beginning and don’t exactly know what you’re looking for Wayfair can be intimidating. That’s why I suggest having something specific in mind when shopping there. For example, an area rug. “They’re artwork for the floor!” says Amber Lewis of Amber Interiors. “Rooms that have many layers feel more sophisticated than those that are one-dimensional. Area rugs are a great way to help define different areas within a space as well as add a pop of color, pattern and texture.” Wayfair has 107, 561 results for area rugs, so happy shopping!
5. IKEA
Moving into your first apartment can give you a feeling of newfound freedom that never really came with living in a dorm or sorority. This feeling can make you very attached to your new apartment but it’s important to remember that this is just a stepping stone and soon (ish) you’ll be moving on to bigger and better things (apartments) which is why IKEA should definitely be on your list of places to shop. Everything offered at IKEA is affordable, simple and classic. IKEA pieces cover all the basics but won’t break the bank and in a few years when they start to show some wear and tear and you’re ready to move out you won’t feel heart-broken over the loss.
Just remember, “When it comes to Ikea, you get what you paid for,” Victoria Stepanov, the founder of and lead designer for Sense of Space, an interior design firm based in Queens, New York, said. Though the chain’s couches, armchairs, and other soft furnishings are affordable, the quality matches the price point.