Are you preparing to move to a new apartment? The sheer volume of things you need to make life at home more comfortable can seem overwhelming. From the much-needed kitchenware to the furniture and bedding, you have a lot to buy for a new apartment. However, with a few tips, you can furnish your new place without all the stress and possibly keep a little money in your pocket.
1. Unpack and take inventory.
Most people move with some belongings into a new apartment, even if they are moving into their first place. The first objective when you get your belongings moved is to unpack and take inventory of what you have versus what you need. Then, go ahead and put things in their place, right down to hanging wall decor. You can better understand what you need the most by unpacking and organizing.
2. Make a list of must-haves for each room.
With what you already own in its place, go from room to room and make a detailed list of what you need. Then, consider how much you want to spend on each room and make notes. There may naturally be rooms requiring a more significant investment than others. For example, living room furniture can be expensive and is most often purchased new. Therefore, you may need to allocate more of your furniture budget to your living room.
3. Focus on furnishing one room at a time.
Furnishing an entire apartment can be expensive, so focus on the most critical rooms first. If you’re on a tight budget, Thrillist recommends considering which items will be the most critical first. For example, you may need a dresser and a sofa, but you might prioritize a place to sit over a place to store clothes.
4. Consider buying used furnishings when possible.
Certain furniture items and belongings are logical to pick up used when you don’t have a lot of money to spend. And you can easily find many good used items at thrift stores and even garage sales. Tables, pots and pans, curtains, and household decor are all excellent examples of things to buy used if you need to. Used items to steer clear of include:
- Mattresses and box springs
- Any furniture that has an odd smell
- Furniture that has heavy upholstery
- Pieces that are overpriced for the condition (don’t pay a new price for a used item)
- Things with missing parts
- Furniture or appliances with signs of insects
5. Save decorative items for last.
A well-decorated apartment may be your goal, but decorative items are optional. Further, it can be easier to work on decorations once you have your larger furnishings in place. For example, if you can only afford a sofa, pick up the sofa first. However, this item takes up a lot of visual real estate in the living room. Therefore, the decor you choose for the rest of the space should be complementary.
Get Help with Your Apartment Move-In So You Can Focus on the Rest
Every move takes a lot of work. Moving to your first place can involve a lot of effort and stress. Contact our team for a free moving quote.
