Apartment decor 101 – Apartment decorating can be simple and inexpensive with these tips

Gone are the days of mini fridges, extra-long sheets and box fans. A student moving into an apartment or loft their first year out of the dorms is exciting, yet a daunting task to make a new space feel like their own.

The hardest part of decorating any apartment is the common area, especially if several roommates are involved.

Bedrooms are easy to make all one’s own, but areas like the living room and kitchen are difficult to make cohesive.

Everyone has their own style, but an apartment looks and feels best when the decor is enjoyable for each roommate.

Blake Coker | Argonaut

Blake Coker | Argonaut

Even though most apartments are significantly larger dorms, it is easy to make even the largest of common spaces feel too small with too much furniture. An apartment should hold enough furniture for storage and seating, while allowing room for movement and other pieces of decor. A small couch with end tables and one or two comfortable chairs can enclose any space enough to give it a cozy living room feel. By placing a T.V. and other media essentials in the center of the room against a wall, there is something for everyone to gather around.

Larger pieces of furniture are often expensive and too many pieces can become costly. Thrift shopping for these pieces is a great way to keep on a budget. For students that feel extra crafty, there are simple ways to reupholster old pieces of furniture with fun and colorful fabrics.

Futons are also a great option for those who want a couch that is versatile and takes up little space.

Once a common living space is furnished, it’s time to decorate. Most apartments lack character, so adding decoration to the walls and any sort of shelving is the best way to bring out personal style.

For apartments with large, bare and colorless walls, adding a simple tapestry with an interesting design or pop of color is a great way to cover up a large space.

Posters are another way to add some character to walls. Even posters that don’t seem mature can be made to look more sophisticated by simply framing them.

As for shelf and table decorations, the more different and eclectic, the better. These are often the pieces that get talked about the most.

Books and vases are fun ways to add color and interest. Adding a small lamp in one area of the room in contrast to a tall lamp helps to bring light to different places throughout the space. Simple plants, no matter the size or color, literally bring life to the room. Stringing up white twinkle lights high along the border of the room will give off a natural, comfortable glow.

These decorations can be found at any sort of home store, thrift shop, online site or what students already owns.

When it comes to the kitchen space, there is little to decorate aside from the eating area and a few countertop items. A small dining table and a few chairs are all one really needs.

Place a colorful table runner or placemat on top with a fruit bowl for a coherent look. To add pops of color in, keep spices and seasonings in clear jars and place them along the countertop. Adding a flower or small plant in this space is also an easy way to add decoration. Because the fridge can take up such a large space, tape on pictures and fun magnets can bring even more interest into the kitchen area.

Using these few tips and tricks, it is simple and inexpensive to make an apartment feel like home.

Hailey Stewart

can be reached at

arg-arts.uidaho.edu

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