11 Decorating Tips to Make Your First Apartment Feel Like a Home

Decorating your first apartment is one of the most exciting steps in early adulthood. Gone are the days of taking whatever secondhand furniture, posters, and decorations you can find or fit in your dorm room. Now is the time to thoughtfully curate and design a space that both reflects you and feels like home. While that can feel daunting, it doesn't have to be difficult or expensive. Thanks to online secondhand shops, it's easy to find furniture that fits your style and your budget. Plus, there are plenty of inexpensive ways to breathe life and personality into your abode. Here are a few ways to make your first apartment feel like home.

01
Create a Welcoming Entryway
Unsplash | Spacejoy

Create a Welcoming Entryway

First impressions matter, and your entryway is the first thing your guests will see when they enter your home. Things like decor, coat hooks, a mirror, or tasteful storage space all make a big difference — and a big first impression.

02
Invest in Good Lighting
Getty | Andrea Donetti / EyeEm

Invest in Good Lighting

Good lighting isn't just key for snapping Instagram shots of your new place — it makes a huge difference in the coziness and feel of the room, too. Many apartments only come with basic, flush mount ceiling lights, so picking up a few cozy table lamps is a must. Bonus: they double as decor!

03
Decorate With Plants
Pexels | Lisa

Decorate With Plants

Plants are one of the easiest, cheapest ways to breathe life, literally, into a space. Houseplants are affordable, adorable, and come in a wide variety of shapes, colors, textures and even smells. Plus, they improve your indoor air quality, and their pots are a great way to add color to a room.

04
Keep Your Toes Cozy With a Rug
Unsplash | Ryan Christodoulou

Keep Your Toes Cozy With a Rug

Rugs are maybe one of the most overlooked elements in a room. If you have hard floors, they're a necessity for coziness and warmth. If you have carpet, they're still a great way to add color, style and texture into a room. The cost of rugs can add up quickly, but this investment piece is worth it.

05
Add Trinket Trays
Unsplash | Annie Cottrill

Add Trinket Trays

Whether it's keys, jewelry or hair ties, we're always settings things down and picking them up again, hoping they don't get lost. Embrace that habit with gorgeous trinket trays that not only look like decor, but also organize clutter. Check out your local thrift store for a great selection, or perhaps repurpose old dishes that you love.

06
Get a Bookshelf
Unsplash | Vladimir Mokry

Get a Bookshelf

Even if you're not an avid reader, a bookshelf is a great way to display odds and ends that you've collected over the years, or to show off your taste. It can also help fill an empty wall or make use of a small space.

07
Get Cozy With Pillows and Blankets
Unsplash | Clare Neilson

Get Cozy With Pillows and Blankets

Nothing makes a space feel cozy like throw pillows and blankets. There's no need to go overboard here, especially if you're working with a smaller couch. But, a few pillows and a blanket can go a long way in making your space — and your guests — feel cozy, comfortable, and totally at home. Plus, they're a functional way to add patterns or color.

08
Buy Your Own Shower Curtain
Getty | EyeWolf

Buy Your Own Shower Curtain

Even if your bathroom came with a shower curtain, buy one that you love. It's one of the fastest, cheapest, and easiest ways to add personality and transform your bathroom, no matter the size.

09
Invest in Ottomans
Unsplash | Toa Heftiba

Invest in Ottomans

The likely fact is that if you're in your first apartment, storage space may be an issue for you. That's why seeking out functional furniture with built-in storage space like an ottoman is key.

10
Use Mirrors Strategically
Unsplash | Christian Mackie

Use Mirrors Strategically

Mirrors are a must in the bathroom, for sure, but they also double as lovely decor that gives the illusion that any space is bigger than it is. Score!

11
Choose a Stylish Duvet
Getty | Os Tartarouchos

Choose a Stylish Duvet

Your bed sets the stage for your entire bedroom (or entire apartment, if you're living in a studio), so you'll definitely want to invest in decorating this centerpiece. Whether you're looking for a statement duvet or something neutral that you can decorate around, choose something you love. After all, you'll be using it every night!