Moving on from college life to the adult world is no small task, and with a foray into professionalism, there are many changes that come along with this transition. One of these is moving into your first pad after moving out of college dorms and other types of housing.
You scoured through the apartment listings, handed over all your personal information for multiple credit checks, and finally landed on the apartment or house of your dreams. Now, all that’s left to do is relax, right? Wrong. You’ve got the space, but now you need to make it your own. If you’re living on for your own for the first time and want to determine how best to outfit your new space, consider the following design tips and have this whole “adult” thing down, no problem—at least when it comes to décor.
A Layer of Paint
Few things can change the look of a space as quickly as a fresh coat of paint. Most of those right out of college are renters, and there may be a stipulation in your lease against painting. While I’m not one to tell you to break the rules, if your lease is a year contract consider the tradeoff. You may get back a little less in your security deposit when it’s time to move out, but that’s at least 12 months of having your home exactly the way you like it—for a lot of us, that’s probably worth it. From neutrals to vibrant hues, think carefully before deciding on a color because it can completely change the appearance of your room and set off your décor. One hint to remember: the lighter the color, the larger your space is apt to appear.
A Purge
It’s time to get rid of those college decorations. You know the ones: the posters of old movies, Rastafarian tapestries, and worn out photos that faded from sun exposure far too long ago. It’s time to start fresh, and you can’t do that with obvious reminders of college décor days right in front of you. Throw it away, sell it on an app like Saily, or donate it to charity if it’s in okay condition.
Think Modern
Being right out of college might mean funds are probably a little lacking, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make your space look like you threw a small fortune into it. Want to make your home look expensive without the price tag? Then focus on modern décor. Modern decorations have the appearance of refined elegance, and will give your space a clean-lined appearance. Incorporate modern stuff throughout different rooms in various ways; maybe a modern-styled lamp in the living room, a cement and wooden side table for the bedroom, and statement art in the kitchen.
Don’t Forget the Floor
You might not have been able to spring for a place with luxurious hardwood floors, and your carpet may be less than desirable. You can spruce that right up by carefully selecting a large area rug. Not only will this cover up ugly floors, but if placed properly, can actually make your space look a lot larger.
Replace Hardware
Little touches can make all the difference, and if you want to incorporate some personal flair throughout the house, you can simply change out the hardware. Take off rusted, old, or plain handle pulls and knobs off of drawers, cabinets, and doors and replace with some designer options. Brass is always a good look, but you can find cool little additions on a site like CoolKnobsAndPulls.com. From the kitchen to the bathroom, this is a cheap way to infuse your favorite styles throughout the house without overwhelming the existing style.
Use Light to Your Advantage
Utilize the right lighting in your home to affect your mood positively. Want to create a warm atmosphere? Use soft lighting for a cozy effect. Avoid the sterile appeal of bright fluorescent lights, and always let in natural light as much as possible. Replace old, heavy drapes with light, flowy options and keep the blinds open during the day.
Congratulations on your new living arrangement. Now that you’re out of school and ready to take on the world, these tips should have your home looking and feeling like you’ve always wanted in a jiffy—without breaking your budget.
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