Five Ways to Make Your Post Grad Apartment Feel Like Home

At 24 years old, I am at the stage in my life where I am always on the move. Between going to job A to job B, meeting with my boss to go over my day, the frequent wedding or family shoot, I generally leave in the morning around 9:45 am and usually don’t get home until damn close to 11:30.

Once I get home, I quickly shower and get ready for bed, only to lay awake for at least a good half hour, watching Always Sunny in Philadelphia, until my brain finally wears down and I can sleep.

Then I wake up and do it again.

Despite this, I sometimes get a day off. Those days, while fleeting, are my chance to enjoy my home (and time with my fiancée) for more than just a bed, but as more importantly, as a secure place that makes everything okay!!

Though in many ways, my home has become mainly a place to crash and my car has begun looking more and more like I live in it, the best part of those days off is having time to actually enjoy being in a place designed to make me feel relaxed and at ease.

Since many people, specifically people whom have just started in their careers, have adapted to this nomadic lifestyle, it is easy to forget to take the time to make your apartment feel like home, so when you are there you feel safe, secure, and relaxed.

Here is a list of 5 easy ways to make your apartment “home”:

1. Light: Lights is a great way to make your place feel more relaxing. From windows, to string lights, the options are endless, so make sure you brighten up your space and you will feel right at home in no time.

2. Photo frames: Photos are always a great way to bring a personal touch to your home. The photos are visually appealing and allow for you to reflect on good times.  Add a couple of cool frames and fun pictures  and you will be all set!

3. A designated spot to eat: Sometimes it is the little things, like sitting at the kitchen table to eat, that makes us feel connected to a location. It usually reminds up to slow down and focus.

4, Fun décor:

Little things like great throw pillows, an awesome couch cover, a few cute canvas prints, is all you need to make a space feel personalized.  Use your apartment to reflect who you are and do that with décor.

5. Netflix

Nothing says relaxing at home like curling up on the couch binge watching your favorite show with some wine and ice cream. So skip out on basic cable and subscribe to Netflix, there will always be something to watch!!

Organization is Key

Moving back into your apartment or dorm after a long winter break all anyone wants to do is take a nap. If you rethink that and organize your helping yourself in the long run. 

1. Reorganized your closet. Color code your closet, it helps make everything easier when you are picking an outfit out for the day or even for a night out on the town.

2. Reorganize your desk. A clear desk helps promote working on things like papers, projects, etc. Have a place for all of your pens, pencils, and markers while leaving a space to put your laptop.

3. Utilize your planner. If your school is anything like mine, our teachers post the syllabus before classes start. Write down all those important dates and color code it. It gives me so much relief to see what and where I have to be and at what time.

4. Prepare your bag. Back pack or tote put everything you may need in it. I always will have the usual pencils, pens, white out, highlighter, and scissors. I also have Advil, tissues, lotion, nail clippers, hand sanitizer, and deodorant.

Spice Up Your New Apartment

                Finally out of the dorms and you need to bring your own furniture? Don't fret! Garage sale, yard sale, even thrift store finds can be a huge score! Find that broken down dresser or the table with a little pit of a wobble, or finally that just plain ugly chair. If plain wood isn't your style your in luck! The best thing to do to spruce up your apartment is to find paint and go crazy! I know, I know, you probably can't paint the walls but that doesn't mean you can't bring color to your apartment with your furniture! It is easy to add a few screws to a broken piece on a dresser or tighten some screws in a table, but once your done comes the fun part!
                What color should I paint my furniture? Think of the comforter you have in your room. What colors are in it? Mine is floral, which has yellows, reds, baby blues, and whites. I am immediately drawn to the white so I went to the paint store and got some paint.

                 The best way to begin painting your furniture is to sand it down first. Get all of the rough spots sanded out, then you can use primer on it. Primer is necessary for your furniture to have a nice clean color. Then you can add your color. Give it about an hour between coats or until it is pretty dry. Do as many coats of paint as your would like!
                If you have a cushion on your chair there is no reason to stick the the old and scary fabric. Go to the fabric store and pick out something fun! Again I am a huge floral or chevron fan so I would probably gravitate to one of them but do what makes YOU happy. You will be the one seeing this furniture and living with it everyday. The fabric is the icing on top of the cake of your new furniture.
                Sometimes what you find at garage sales can truly be a treasure. I know I am a big HGTV fan as well as a Lara Spencer fan and she is definitely someone who has inspired my thrift store finds! I hope you can take my painting advice & brighten your apartment up with some pops of color!