Moving into your first apartment is exciting, but let’s be honest: the first few days can also feel a little overwhelming. You unpack all of your stuff, put your clothes away and then look around and realize your apartment still doesn’t really feel like your apartment yet.
Your apartment does not need to be perfect. It just needs to feel like you.
When I first started decorating my space, I realized that it is not necessarily the large pieces of furniture that make a place feel like home. It is the little things that make it feel personal. You do not need to spend a ton of money or completely copy a Pinterest board to make your space feel cozy. Sometimes it is the simplest touches that make the biggest difference. Here are some of my favorite ways to make your apartment feel more like home.
Add Pictures Everywhere
Pictures are one of the easiest ways to make a new space feel familiar. Print out pictures of your friends, family, vacations or your favorite memories. I have pictures of my boyfriend, family, friends and pets all over my walls!
You can put them in frames, make a collage or tape them to your wall. I love having pictures around because they make my apartment feel less like a place I am renting and more like a place that actually belongs to me. If you are renting, Command Strips are a great option for hanging pictures without damaging the walls.
Make Your Bed The Coziest Place Ever
Your bed is probably where you are going to spend a lot of time, so you might as well make it somewhere you actually want to be. Add a few pillows, a cute comforter and a really soft blanket. I recommend getting a Lola or Minky Couture Blanket; they feel like heaven. Even just changing your bedding can make your whole bedroom look different.
I love changing my bedding throughout the different seasons. I also love having a throw blanket at the end of my bed because it makes the room feel so much cozier.
My bed is usually filled with Jellycat stuffed animals and my cat, Leo, curled up nearby, which makes it even more comfy! Each night before I go to sleep, I spray lavender spray on my pillow. The lavender helps me fall asleep and makes my bed smell amazing. Having a little routine can make your room feel like true home.
Go Thrifting
You definitely do not need to buy everything for your apartment brand new. Some of my favorite decor pieces are things I have found at thrift stores.
Look for picture frames, mirrors, baskets, lamps, little shelves or even furniture that you can paint or DIY. Thrifting is also a great way to find things that feel a little more unique instead of having the exact same decorations as everyone else.
And honestly, finding a $10 piece that you love is way more exciting than buying something expensive just because it is trendy.
One of my favorite finds was a free dresser I found on the side of the road. I gave it a DIY makeover and in less than two hours, and it makes my space feel more personal. Knowing that I painted it makes me love it more!
Add Little Things That Smell Like Home
This one might sound random, but having your apartment smell good makes such a difference. Candles, wax melts, room sprays or even just a nice smelling laundry detergent can make your space feel so much more comfortable.
Find a scent that you really love and make it your apartment’s signature smell. There is nothing better than walking through the door after a long day and immediately smelling your favorite candle.
Make It Feel Like You
The biggest thing is not to worry too much about making your apartment look like someone else’s. You can save a million apartment inspiration pictures on Pinterest or TikTok, but that doesn’t mean you have to recreate someone else’s space.
Add your favorite colors, decorate with things you actually like and leave room for your personality. Maybe you love coastal decor, or maybe you love everything pink or maybe you want a bunch of thrifted pieces. There’s no right way to decorate your apartment.
At the end of the day, your apartment should be somewhere you feel comfortable coming home to. It does not have to be perfect, expensive or Instagram-worthy. Sometimes a few pictures on your wall, a cozy blanket, a candle on and music playing is all you need!
It is not about having the perfect apartment, it is about making it feel like yours!
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