Recently, I read a Facebook post my Nephew’s wife shared. In the post were pictures of her daughter, happy and smiling, in cap and gown at her high school graduation ceremony.
Obviously, she’s not the only one graduating at this time of year. There are literally thousands of graduates from both high school and college moving on to the next phase of their lives.
Some of those graduates will most likely begin hunting for an apartment to rent.
If you happen to fall into this group, you probably have a serious lack of money to use for decorating. After all, life isn’t cheap, and there are lots of expenses when moving into your first place. Fortunately, there are also lots of cheap ideas you could use for decorating your first apartment.
Where to Buy when Decorating Your First Apartment
Garage Sales
You don’t have to let a tight budget get in the way when decorating your first apartment. Shop garage sales, both physical and online, to get the best deals.
Don’t be afraid to barter a little to get an even better price. You don’t have much to lose in doing so, because there will always be another garage sale you can check out.
Flea Markets
Another great source for the poor graduate is a flea market. Often, you can find great deals on many used items such as knick knacks, vases, and holiday décor.
Antique Malls
There are many antique malls all across the country selling unique items you could buy for less money. These previously loved items will add character to your new living abode and make it look homey rather than stiff.
Online Websites & Shops
Searching for something inexpensive that appeals to your taste and style? Check out the many different online websites and shops selling gently used items.
What to Buy when Decorating Your First Apartment
Pictures & Picture Frames
Second hand pictures and picture frames are great buys for decorating your first apartment. Furthermore, when they’re inexpensive, you can replace them later on as your style evolves and changes.
Faux Plants
I don’t recommend buying used faux plants unless they are of high quality. They’re cheap enough to buy new in discount stores such as Walmart and Target. Other great places to get nice looking greenery include Hobby Lobby and Michaels, among others.
Candles or Diffusers
Adding candles or diffusers is another inexpensive decorating move that makes your new space feel inviting. Again, I advise buying these items new. Used ones can sometimes go bad and give you the opposite result of what you intend. Besides, they don’t cost that much to begin with, and you’re sure to find scents you like.
Lamps
When I helped my daughter decorate for her first apartment, she purchased a couple of used lamps. Because they were used, they were far cheaper than new ones would have been.
To make the lamps fit in with her décor, she sanded and spray painted the bases. Next, she bought cheap fabric and I recovered her shades. Voilà! The lamps were like new again!
Throw Pillows
If you’re crafty you can make your own throw pillows with fabric and some poly-fil. However, if you aren’t, or lack time, look for high-quality used pillows you can buy cheap.
Make sure there are no stains or bad odors when looking them over. Another tip is to make sure the fabric is washable so they can be laundered before you use them.
Rugs
If you want to anchor a certain area in an open floor plan, try using a rug. But instead of spending a small fortune on a new one, why not buy one that’s used? You’ll get the same result and save a bunch of money.
Furniture
When money is tight you don’t want to blow it all on a single piece of furniture. Buy used, pay less, and get more out of your hard earned dollars. Look for well built, solid wood bookshelves, tables, desks, and other furniture whenever possible.
Slipcovers
Great couches and chairs sometimes have not so great fabric covering them. Additionally, their colors might not work with your decorating theme
Inexpensive slipcovers can make them fit in with your style. You can find them online and in some discount stores, such as Target and Walmart.
The Wrap Up
Moving into your first apartment is an exciting time. You’re young and spreading your wings while checking out all of life’s possibilities.
But that also means you may not have developed your own decorating style yet. As time moves on, you’ll probably let go of some things to buy something new or different. You may even do some minor apartment renovations.
That’s another reason stretching your money when decorating your first apartment is critical. You’ll have no guilt when eliminating items if you know you didn’t spend a small fortune on them.
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Another thing I did was look for furniture in other people’s garbage. I have gotten a couple of dressers, chairs, and a coffee table. They were all wood or laminate so they’re easy to clean. I freshened them up with a coat of paint and had ‘new’ furniture for nothing. Check when garbage day is and drive through neighborhoods the night before. It also helps to start early for this to work as you never know what you will find!
When I was a kid, my brothers and I used to do this on our bicycles on Saturday mornings and we called it “junk hunting”. My oldest brother was a whiz at fixing stuff so he fixed a TV, toaster oven, and a few other things that people threw in the garbage. My parents used them for years!
Next week I am shifting to the new home. I will try this for sure.
That’s great! I hope it helps you enjoy your new space!
One thing people consistently miss out on is rugs. A good rug can pull an entire room together, especially if you have a theme of rugs in your home. If you have jute rugs in your master bedroom and guest room, for instance, it can add a layer of consistency to the home and it looks great!
Yes, that is another good tip! Just like the same paint color throughout can pull rooms together, so can similar floor treatments.
I love rebuilding old furniture. For example, I reconstructed, repaired and painted my mother’s old drawer, and it became very beautiful. I want to say that we really do not need to spend a lot of money to change the decoration of the house.