10 First Apartment Essentials That’ll Make Your Place Feel Like Home

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September 07, 2019

By: Zia Thompson

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Photo By: Westend61

Happy Apartment Decorating!

Moving out on your own is a huge deal and figuring out how to make your new place your own can be overwhelming. From a great mattress to kitchen gadgets that’ll make cooking a breeze, here you’ll find items that will help you feel at home in your new apartment.

Quality Mattress

Make sure you are getting the best sleep possible with a quality mattress. You probably spend at least 8 hours of your day on your bed, so you’ll want to make sure it’s comfortable. Whether you’re getting a good night’s rest after a long day at school or work, you’ll wake up recharged with a Casper mattress.

BUY IT: Casper Mattress, starting at $536 for a Queen

A Signature Scent

Give your new place a signature scent. Scents like pine, rose, vanilla and more will sing to your senses. Candles, oil diffusers and wall plug-ins are a great way to have your favorite scents waft through your apartment. Not only will you have a space that is great to look at, but you’ll also have one that smells amazing too.

BUY IT: Bath and Body Works, $25

Artwork and Wall Prints

Stay inspired with fun and colorful artwork and prints. You are not allowed to paint the walls in most apartments, so art and wall prints are a great way to take your walls from drab to fab. Get a reprint of your favorite pieces done by classical artists like Van Gogh or Picasso, or find something more modern. Posters from your favorite movies or vintage travel posters make amazing wall decor as well. This way, when your walls talk, they’ll tell the story of you!

BUY IT: Art.com, Prints starting at $32

A Slow Cooker

Nothing says home like a home-cooked meal. A slow cooker is such an underrated appliance, and everyone should have one. You can cook everything from soups to roasts. They’re great for busy students and young professionals just starting out. They're also easy to use and clean, and the food will be exceptionally tasty every time.

BUY IT: Amazon, $30

Throw Blankets and Pillows

Throw blankets and pillows should not be exclusive to the bedroom. You can put these items in many different areas of your new home for an extra touch of comfort so that no matter where you are, you’ll always be nice and cozy. Put a throw blanket and/or pillow on your couch, desk chair or stool for extra cushiness.

BUY IT: Crate&Barrel, $40

Sentimental Items

What truly makes a home yoursare the unique, sentimental pieces that showcase who you are. Display them in your space to really remind yourself not only of the people and things that you love but people and things that love you in turn. The most common way to do this is through photos. Pick and print out four or five of your favorite photos, put them in a nice frame and display them in any room. If you are able to or have hanging strips, you can even hang them on the wall.

BUY IT: Target, $15

Lighting

Shine bright in your new apartment. Lighting does not only serve as functional decor but as decoration as well. On the functional side, look for sunlight bulbs for those long, dark winters or blackout curtains to help you sleep better. When it comes to using lighting as decoration, look for lamps with interesting shades and bases or string fairy lights around your bedroom. Backlit LED lighting can also make a mirror or TV stand pop out and catch the eye when it comes to entertaining as well.

BUY IT: Target, $49

House Plants

House plants are honestly one of the best ways to liven up a new apartment. Not only will they bring a little pop of color to your space, but many of them have health benefits as well. House plants are known for purifying the air and promoting productivity. Does your lack of a green thumb worry you? Don’t let that stop you. Most house plants require minimal upkeep and are hard to kill, so you’ll be totally fine.

BUY IT: Amazon, $23

Quality Linens

High quality linens are a truly undervalued luxury. There is no shortage of discount towels and sheets for sale– especially now during back-to-school time. These deals are primarily aimed at new college students but skip the hype and don’t take the bait. Invest in quality bedding and towels, because honestly, you're worth it. After every shower or night’s rest, you’ll be glad that you spent a little extra money on soft, comfortable and durable linens.

BUY IT: Crate&Barrel, $120 for a Queen

Organizational Decor

Nobody wants to come home to a messy space! Keep your new apartment in tip-top shape with some organizational décor. Cubbies, over-the-door storage organizers and mounted shelves are great ways to save space and unclutter your apartment. Another great way to maximize the space in your apartment is to opt for multi-functional furniture pieces such as ottomans with removable seats for storage or bedframes that feature drawers underneath.

BUY IT: Target, $76