How to Decorate an Apartment: A Step-by-Step Guide to Your First Place
Take the stress out of this right of passage!
Congratulations on your new apartment! Decorating your very first apartment from scratch is an exciting time, but also can be daunting. We’ve got the step-by-step guide you need on how to decorate an apartment.
1. Have a Vision.
Come up with an idea of how you want your apartment to look before you begin buying furniture and decor. Having a theme or style in mind can help guide you when looking for furniture, decor, and accents, and sticking to an aesthetic throughout your apartment can help things flow from room to room. Choosing a style like modern, boho, glam, or industrial is helpful because you don’t have to decorate your entire apartment at once but can easily add decor that fits your chosen aesthetic as you have the funds.
Tip!
Check out these guides on popular interior design styles to help you decide which one resonates best with you:
21 Ways to Master Modern Style
Boho Decor Ideas for a Laid-Back but Chic Aesthetic
The Ultimate Guide to Industrial Style
The Ultimate Guide to Glam Style
2. Choose a Color Palette
Decide on a color palette before you begin shopping for furniture and decor. Color palettes can vary from room to room, but choose color palettes that blend well and create a nice transition. White, light neutrals, and pastels can make a small space look and feel brighter, larger, and more airy. Dark walls and decor can create dramatic, moody, and restful spaces. Use apartment-safe peel-and-stick wallpaper, area rugs, and window treatments to set the tone for your color palette.
Tip!
Check out our guide Wallpapering 101: Wallpaper Installation to learn how to apply both regular and temporary wallpaper.
3. Start With Key Pieces
Whether you’re working on a budget or not, start with key pieces of furniture you know you’ll need right away like a bed, sofa, dining table, side tables, and large area rugs. You can later add furniture and decor that complements your key pieces. It’s also easier to have these bigger pieces delivered and assembled when the apartment is new and empty, before adding the smaller decor and personal belongings.
Apartments aren’t typically known for having abundant storage space, so invest in furniture and decor that can help you stay organized. Try storing clothing, kitchenware, and decor in open shelving units and bookcases to give your apartment a more open and spacious look. If you choose to go with open storage, mix in tasteful decor storage to keep things neat and avoid your shelves looking cluttered. For kitchen and bathroom cabinets, rely on organization tools like drawer organizers, spice racks, and storage containers.
We recommend hanging a gallery wall for your first apartment since they’re one of the easiest – and most budget-friendly – ways to decorate and express your personal style! Gallery walls are the perfect places for leftover posters from your college dorm, decorative wall mirrors, and even family photos. The best part? No gallery wall is identical to another – you have the freedom to design yours to represent youe. Gallery walls will fill up the large blank wall sitting in your bedroom or living room, so you don’t have to worry about finding expensive matching art. If you don’t have a large wall free, you can create gallery walls around features like doorways and windows to add fun detail to your apartment. To learn how to make a gallery wall, check out our guide Gallery Wall Ideas to Boost Your Decor..
Things are finally starting to come together! Once you have a good foundation of basic furniture and decor elements in your apartment, it’s time to fill your space with decorative objects that reflect your style and personality. Decorate surfaces, like console tables, coffee tables, and desks with your favorite novelty tabletop lamps, decorative books, sculptures, and vases. Live plants add a peaceful natural element to your space that is great for keeping you grounded. Be sure to choose decor that meshes well with your carefully curated style and aesthetic.
