10 items that will make an apartment feel like home
Make it a place you love
Nesting into your apartment takes time, but don’t let the challenge deter you.
“No matter how small your budget or transient your living situation, take the time to make a place you love,” recommends Elaine Griffin, designer and author of “Design Rules.”
Try to incorporate multifunctional pieces (like a coffee table that can double as a file cabinet) and furniture that also has places for storage. And keep in mind, no matter your floor plan, your living room probably will need to be versatile enough to transform into an impromptu dining room/guest room/home office.
Griffin advises clients to “mini-splurge on portable things that really speak to your soul and make you smile when you look at them, like art and accessories.” The rest of your budget should focus on impactful comforts that will last for years.
Dining tables can be expensive, so go with a piece that makes sense for your budget. For small spaces, you’ll want a table that folds up (when it’s just you) and down (when you’ve got company).
Spend: Brookhurst dining table ($179.99, wayfair.com)
Save: Imogene dining table ($94.99, wayfair.com)
No matter what, your sofa has to be comfortable. Think about it: your bed and couch are two places you’ll probably be spending most of your time. Neutral colors, like gray, are great choices. If you change your color palette at your next apartment, gray will still fit right in.
Spend: Patterson 74” sofa ($489.99, jossandmain.com)
Save: Ina tufted round arm settee ($399.99, target.com)
“A room isn’t finished until it’s accessorized. Our personal style is influenced by where we’re from, where we’ve been, where we’re at and where we’re going. This is your first stab at capturing all four.”
— Elaine Griffin, designer, and author of “Design Rules”
Spend: March 1927 throw pillow cover ($17.60, society6.com)
Save: Lappljung Ruta throw pillow cover ($10, ikea.com)
Finding a high quality rug for a low price can be very difficult. Your best bet is to go with a natural material or a woven rug. This handwoven jute rug from Rugs USA has an interesting pattern and will definitely last.
Spend: Handwoven jute birdseye diamond rug ($231, RugsUSA.com)
Save: Check for sales on sites like RugsUSA, Target and eBay to find the best deal. However, rugs are hard to save on.
“These are essential because they take up the same floor space as one side table, but you actually get three when people pop over for drinks or you need more surface space.”
— Kyle Schuneman, designer, and author of “The First Apartment Book: Cool Designs for Small Spaces”
Spend: Jessa 3 piece nesting tables ($208.99, allmodern.com)
Save: Pebble 2 piece nesting tables ($143.10, wayfair.com)
Investing in a few pieces of art can really make a space feel cohesive. A site like minted.com is a great option because you can browse so many sizes and styles. Pro tip: You can order any print framed or unframed.
Spend: Crocodile print by Jaime Derringer and Broken Glass print by Elliot Stokes (various prices, minted.com)
Save: Find a beautiful page from a magazine or find an image on a royalty-free site, such as unsplash.com. Frame it yourself.
This coffee table from Pier 1 Imports can also function as a desk. For a more creative solution, you can buy a flat file riser from Target or find vintage architectural files at a vintage store.
Spend: Hugh java lift top coffee table ($500, pier1.com)
Save: Flat file riser ($74.99, target.com)
Finding a way to utilize storage under your bed without sacrificing aesthetic can be tough. Ikea has a clean, minimalist storage solution that we like. If you’re short on cash, though, you can always buy an elevated bed frame on amazon.com with some stylish baskets to store underneath. (Note: The Lily is part of The Washington Post, which is owned by Amazon chief executive Jeffrey P. Bezos.)
Spend: Nordli white bed frame with storage ($349, ikea.com)
Save: An elevated bed frame and cute storage baskets ($87 for bed frame, amazon.com and $36 for 3 baskets, amazon.com)
Your bed won’t feel like it’s yours until you’ve put sheets on. Get sheets that are comfortable and soft. Crawling into bed should always feel like a treat.
Spend: Mirana sheet set ($178, anthropologie.com)
Save: Jersey sheets set print ($30.59, target.com)
If you’ve got limited overhead lighting, the best remedy is a floor lamp that gives off a lot of light. Our favorite lighting trick is to string white twinkle lights across the bedroom ceiling. They make for cozy, ethereal mood-lighting.
Spend: Menlo Collection Brass Floor Lamp ($79.99, target.com)
Save: Indoor string lights ($13.99, amazon.com)
Original story by The Washington Post’s Marie Elizabeth Oliver.
