Adulthood can be a tedious concept to come by. You leave your family home and your siblings and parents behind, some people become completely financially independent and others become completely responsible for themselves and their well being. One of the most important steps in adulthood is leaving the nest and living on your own. This can be a scary time in a person’s life, but also an exciting time to come into ourselves, express who we are and become our own people, separate from our parents, once and for all. Moving into your first apartment can be intimidating but is also a time for free expression and decorating every part of your living space how you want to fit your lifestyle. Read on to find out the essential items and products you will need for your first apartment and how to make you feel comfortable and at home in your new life.
This may seem like an ordinary item and many new home or apartment owners tend to opt out of this one but after a while we all fall back into our old habits and crave to feel comforted and at home. Our televisions are like a nice, steamy bowl of macaroni and cheese. We do not eat it every day because we know it is not good for us, but once in a while it is ok to indulge. Buy a small television for your living room to watch late night movies with your girlfriends or special someone or just to catch up on the news. You will be happy later on you made this little investment.
This may seem like a silly essential to some but you will be surprised how often this blanket will be used around your apartment and for how many years. Invest in a very cozy throw blanket for your living room that will keep you warm and snuggly during the colder months. You can wrap this over you when you watch movies in the living room or to throw over yourself when you sleep in your bed.
A microwave is also an essential for your first apartment because it will come in handy for the lazy nights and quick comfort food meals. This is the most essential investment and something you will use for many years. Invest in a nice microwave to last you a while and be a safety blanket for your last resort meals when you are not in the mood to cook.
Furniture can be very pricy, especially when you are fresh out of college and have very little money to spend on frivolous things. If you are going to drop a large sum of money on something, a comfortable couch is the way to go. This is something that will last you for years and will probably be a place you spend a lot of your time in. You will want to invest in a neutral colored couch that is comfortable and something you can see yourself sitting in for years. Buy something neutral so that it will go with the evolution of your apartments or house and nothing too trendy. You can accessorize your apartment with trendy decor but keeping the couch sturdy and comfortable is something you will not regret.
A cooking set is also something that will come in equally as handy as your microwave. A cooking set includes anything from pots and pans, silverware, cooking utensils, and plates, cups and bowls. Invest in white dishes and silver utensils to match with any kitchen theme you may have over the years. A set of white, glass bowls is smart to purchase because they have a clean, polished look and are versatile. Try to keep the other colors of your kitchenware neutral as well to match any dish towels or flowers you may switch out and to always match on a set table.
Many people also like to have a corner reading chair in their bedroom so they have a comfortable place to relax other than their beds. This is also beneficial when you have roommates and want some privacy away from the living room where you would normally spend your down time. Purchase a comfortable lounge chair for reading like a butterfly chair or anything that would fit in a pretty small bedroom.
Decor is essential to make an apartment feel homey and comfortable. You do not need to invest in super expensive decor but grab a few decorations here and there that speak to your personality that make you feel happy to be home. This is your time to experiment with colors and designs because you kept the furniture neutral. If you plan to switch out your decor with the season, however, do not go too overboard with the expensive decor and find some items that all go with each other palette wise. Buy decor like sleek picture frames, small artifacts, wall decals, etc.
A full length mirror for your bedroom is something that will come in very handy for your first apartment because you will not want to rely solely on your bathroom mirror to look at, try on outfits in or check out your shoes before work. Buy a standstill full length mirror or one you can attach to your wall. You will use this mirror for many years and in many different apartments or homes you live in.
An essential for your first apartment bathroom is a shower rack to go over your shower head. This is especially important if your shower is small with few ledges to hold soap, shampoo and other bottles. Invest in something sturdy, large enough to hold everything you will need but not too big to weigh down the shower head, and something that will not rust in the water over time.
A vacuum is a cleaning essential for your first apartment because it is something you will use all year round. Shop for a reputable vacuum brand that will pick up all the dirt on your carpets and floor and will last you years. This will be a cleaning investment you will not regret buying.
The goal here is to shop for things in your new apartment that will give you a sense of home and promise longevity. Decorate your home how you want to but keep in mind you will get bored of your decor eventually so do not splurge on this. Invest in expensive items and furniture that are neutral and are sure to last you a while. A homey feel can be achieved by anyone and you will eventually get into a groove. You just need to get off your feet and make purchases you will be proud of in your future.
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