A Graduate’s First Apartment Style Guide

May 14th, 2022 7 minute read

Your dorm room college days are done. Or you’re ready to move out of your parent's home. Maybe you’ve decided to live on your own for the first time. Whatever the reason, moving into your first apartment is a milestone and celebratory occasion. At the same time, it can seem intimidating to take on new responsibilities with the added bonus of having to create a “home” atmosphere for yourself from scratch.

• Even if ‘style’ is not your thing, look at this as an opportunity to express yourself.
• It’s a time to be creative and have fun with your space.
• The main things you’re going to focus on are style, function, and of course budget.
• Making your new apartment look good comes down to the decor so let’s get started!

BONUS: This College Student Moving Guide is a tremendous resource with outlines for budgets, property resources, packing lists, roommate searches, and more.

This is a really fun part of the process. Maybe you have an idea of what your style is already. You like antiques or a futuristic look, or maybe you appreciate a more French vibe. Decor themes literally range in the dozens, with design styles expressing home decoration in everything from Americana to a Mountain Chalet style, to Spanish inspired to Techno and beyond.

• Look through the Style Guides listed here to see what clicks for you.
• Starting your decor process with a theme in hand will make the other components flow much easier.

The next step is to pick a focal point in each of the major rooms, living room, dining area, and bedroom. The guide on focal points is comprehensive and shares several ideas for focal points in each room as well as pictorial examples.

• Focal points create flow in a space; adding direction of eye movement.
• Once a focal point is chosen, next comes the furniture arranged around this point.
• Then finish off with room accessories: rugs, drapes, and accent pieces.

BONUS: “Make a Big Impact in a Small Space Guide” - a first apartment might not be the biggest house on the block, so check out this guide on how to make a big statement in smaller spaces.

• Match curtains with walls for the most expansive look.
• Hang curtains close to the ceiling and drape them all the way to the floor for a bigger room illusion.
• Large wall mirrors double the size of a room.
• Lighter wall paint colors also make a room feel bigger.
• Add pops of color on an accent wall or with the accessories (rugs, pillow, art).

Now that you’re at the furnishing stage, keeping your apartment neat and organized is one of the best ways for it to feel comfortable, welcoming, and like a sanctuary from the world.

• If possible, before you move in, declutter and streamline your belongings. Anything you don’t want can be sold, donated, or recycled all at once by Remoov.
• Then check out this guide “Furniture Ideas that Help You Stay Organized” when you are ready to adorn the rooms of your home.
• BONUS: Guide to help you reduce furniture costs.

Professional designers advise having two different light sources in each room. Some lighting fixture ideas include:

• Fairy lights
• Floor lamps
• Pendant lights
• Table lamps
• Wall sconces

INDIVIDUAL ROOM GUIDE

ENTRYWAY: First Apartment Decorating Ideas For The Foyer

Make the most of any space you might have in your entryway by adding functional decor to it. Entryway ideas:

• Bench
• Mirror
• Narrow table
• Storage cabinet
• Wall hooks

BEDROOM: First Apartment Decorating Ideas For The Bedroom

Suggested bedroom furnishings list for a restful and inviting space:

• Accessories: Here’s a top ten list to get your juices flowing.
• Closet organization: Use hooks, bins, a hanging shoe rack, and other such items to efficiently manage all the things in your closet.
• Headboard: This item completes the room’s look, will probably be the focal point, and is a great way to express your chosen decor theme.
• Mattress: Sleep is vital to good health and overall life performance so make it count.
• Nightstand: Small side tables next to the bed are super handy and look great.

LIVING ROOM: First Apartment Decorating Ideas For The Living Room

Suggested living room furnishings list for a welcoming and comfortable space:

• Area rugs: A large area rug can ground the whole room and be an accent piece that adds flair to the design.
• Chairs: Side chairs, lazy boy, lounger chair.
• Shelves: Shelving units, bookcases, floating shelves.
• Sofa: This is another item you may want to spend some more of your budget on.
• Tables: Side tables, main coffee table, bar tables.

DINING ROOM: First Apartment Decorating Ideas For The Dining Room

Suggested dining room furnishings list for a functional and warm atmosphere:

• Area carpet
• Bar Cart: A fun feature that’s both functional and fancy.
• Dining chairs
• Dining table
• Lighting
• Storage unit (hutch, sideboard)

KITCHEN: First Apartment Decorating Ideas For The Kitchen

Suggested kitchen furnishings list for a productive area:

• Chairs
• Island: great for extra food prep space.
• Stools
• Table: Variety can work well.

NOOK: First Apartment Decorating Ideas For A Nook

Suggested furnishings list for a pleasant nook will be listed in the following guides:

• A breakfast nook here
• A reading nook here.
• A recharging nook here.
• A study nook here.

EXTRAS & ACCENTS

Artwork: The focal point guide has lots of ideas for art accents, especially DIY projects. Best art can be found at vintage stores, flea markets, and sidewalk sales.

Decorate With What You Already Have: Hang musical instruments; lean a surf or skateboard against your wall.

Plants: Having live greenery in your apartment really adds life to the interior.

Throw pillows: Great decor items that also add texture, style, and color to a space.