| 1. Develop your own style and be consistent! |
| Do you like the clean look of all white furniture? Maybe you prefer an eclectic, flea market look. Make sure all of the rooms in your apartment or house follow a similar theme. This will not only create a cohesive look, but give you some direction when you are out bargain hunting. |
| 2. Pick a color scheme |
| Just like a cohesive style, a central color scheme will help all of your rooms flow, creating the illusion of more space. Make sure to pick colors that reflect your personality. For those of us who can’t paint, this is also a great way to jazz up a room that is landlord friendly. Check out stores like Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma Home to hone in on this season’s trends. |
| 3. Look for furniture with good bones |
| It’s amazing what a gal can do with some time, fabric, paint, and a staple gun. When looking for furniture, look beyond the chipped wood or obnoxious fabric. These can always be changed with little effort. Instead, look for character and craftsmanship. You will thank yourself in three years when all of your friends’ "assembly required" furniture ends up in the dumpster. |
| 4. Fabric your walls! |
| Does your apartment complex or landlord outlaw painting? Try covering your walls with fabric. Beware, this technique is not for the faint of heart. Make sure you use a light fabric and traditional starch for application. When the lease is up, just pull the fabric off the wall! If this sounds too bold, try inexpensive wall decals from Lowes or painted canvases from stores like HomeGoods. |
| 5. Shop around, and be patient. |
| Now is not the time for impulse buys. Check out these stores and services to get the most bang for your buck: IKEA, Crate and Barrel and Pottery Barn Outlets, Craigslist, local Habitat for Humanity Restore, and local consignment shops. However, be careful when buying used, upholstered furniture. A cheap deal may not be worth it if your new couch smells smoky or like someone else’s pets. |
| 6. Command hooks are your new best friend! |
| Hang pictures, curtains, towels, you name it with Command’s new line of stylish hooks. They even come in bronze and polished silver! This can ensure that more of your damage deposit ends back in your wallet. |
| 7. Window treatments |
| Add instant color and make ceilings look taller with curtains from Target or IKEA, where you can often find a set for under twenty dollars. |
| 8. Pictures |
| Pictures are an instant way to make your new space feel more like home and fill up empty wall space. Not to mention, your friends will feel extra special when they see that they have their own special spot in your new digs! |
| 9. De-clutter |
| Clutter can make the largest room feel like a coat closet. Get rid of the excess and have room to breathe. This will also prevent you from buying things you don’t need. |
| 10. Accessorize with your favorite accessories! |
| Knick knacks belong at your grandma’s house. Try accessorizing with your favorite handbag or scarf. |
