Budget Decorating for Every First Time Home Owner

Decorating after moving into a new house or apartment is the easiest way to create a personalized space. You decide where you want more storage, the colors to add to the rooms, and the look and feel of the decor you wish to add. It is important to remember that first-time apartment decorating should follow a few design principles to guide your decisions and ensure that the appropriate pieces are incorporated.

So, you've just moved in and you want to know what to splurge on and where to save? In this guide, we look at some of the most popular decorating trends for first-time homes and apartments that don't cost a lot of money either. After all, there's a first time for everything!

Where to Start Decorating?

The first step is to consider how much you want to spend on decor. How much do you have to cover important or lasting features such as a new sofa or dining table and chairs, compared to throws and scatter cushions? You can decorate on any budget, you could even upcycle things you have or find at a yard sale, but it all depends on your intention. If you want to shop for new furniture you'll be working with a bigger decorating budget but simple accessories to brighten and personalize your home will cost much less.

Shopping for New Furniture

One of the most exciting parts of a new home or first-time apartment is shopping for new furniture! With so many styles to choose from you can create a themed interior. Vintage, classic, contemporary, or even farm style can be created depending on your preferences. It can be a little trickier to decorate an apartment because you can't break the terms of your lease but with some smart furniture and accessories, rented houses and apartments can be instantly transformed.

If you have a small apartment, you'll want to look for furniture that is not bulky, offers storage, and looks fantastic. For tables, chairs, and even sofas, think tapered legs and pieces raised above the floor. In a tiny space, blocky items that chop off sections of the room will make the area look and feel darker and much smaller than what it really is. By adding free-flowing furniture on longer and thinner legs, you can see the flooring, the carpets, and the light that draws your eye across the room rather than cut it off. The bonus is that raised furniture will help you get to those hard to reach places without having to constantly move furniture around.

It is also an easier way to decorate because you're furniture choices are guided by a uniform design principle. Slim legs, tapered legs, and raised items help you stick to a theme throughout your home.

Pick furniture that offers options for storage. Interiors can become cluttered very quickly when you have too much on the floor. Finding a place for everything with storage also helps you stay organized. You can find what you are looking for when your belongings have their place in storage. With modern furniture being designed for both practicality and its esthetics, you're sure to find functional pieces to add to the living, dining, and bedroom.

Items that you should consider spending a little more on include the sofa, the dining table and chairs, a well-designed wood chest of drawers, and a sturdy bed frame and mattress.

Decorating Your Home

Decorate your home with colors, shapes, and styles that bring you joy. You can find affordable decor and accessories by shopping online or waiting for retail sales. Choose items that are decorative and make you feel like you're at home when you walk through the door.

Some popular decorations for homes and apartments include throws for the sofa, scatter cushions, picture frames on stands, and decorative artworks.

Pot plants, wooden boxes, decorative baskets, and vases are ways to enhance your living room or bedroom with a touch of personality.

Plan your decorative project, think about what you want to spend and where you want to improve before you start buying multiple pieces and accessories that serve little to no purpose.