Make Your New Apartment Feel Like Home: Decor Tips and Tricks

You’ve finally moved into your new home, which means it’s time to decorate it. That doesn’t do it. must be an expensive process especially if you have already spent a lot money in motion. There are many affordable ways to make your new space reflect you and your personal style.

All it takes is following a few helpful tricks and tips, such as refreshing an old room with a fresh coat of paint or deep cleaning before unpacking.

We’ve compiled a list of top tips to help you customize your pad with minimal hassle.

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Clean, clean, clean

If you’re lucky enough to move into a clean apartment, congratulations. This is not always the case for everyone. Your new digs are probably a little dusty, a little dirty.

Before you unpack your boxes and assemble your Ikea furniture, take a moment clean up your empty space. Hit the floor with the Swiffer, dust those windows, wash your kitchen counters until you can see your reflection, give the bathroom some TLC and finish it all off with a good old vacuum cleaner.

You start a new life in a new place. Why start with your former tenant’s leftover dirt?

Put a new coat of paint or wallpaper on your walls

When my roommates and I moved into our apartment in New York, we were surrounded by shiny buttery yellow walls. It was strange for us – for no more than two days. We soon found out that there is only so much oil your eyes can absorb.

My roommates picked a few favorite colors and changed the previous yellow living room, hallway, bathroom and bedrooms with forest greens, subtle whites and light grays. It was a simple fix that breathed new life into our home and made it feel like it was our space and not just another NYC rental.

With your landlord’s approval, change the mood of your new place with colors that reflect who you are and what you want your apartment to be. Don’t fall for the wall colors you’re given; look for funky wallpapers and captivating tones to make this space your own.

Note: If your landlord agrees to let you paint, it will probably be on the condition that you paint the walls back to their original color when you leave.

Add scents that remind you of home

Create a space that feels like home with scents that take you back to the old days. Maybe that means adding a sugar cookie-scented Yankee Candle to your shopping cart for old times’ sake, or plugging your Glade clean linen freshener into that outlet in the living room. This tip also works if you are trying to get unpleasant smell from your apartment.

Carpets, curtains, mirrors and tablecloths

A few basic home decor items can liven up your space with minimal effort. Put curtains on your windows to add character to a lifeless living room or bedroom.

If you’re moving into a small apartment, hang a few mirrors in sunny locations to visually open up the space and let light shine through. You can also opt for a more private space by sprucing up your area with patterned rugs and decorative pillows.

Light it up

To give your rooms a generous warm glow, consider adding a few layers of light. Don’t just rely on the overhead lamp or table lamp.

The general rule of thumb, according to interior designers, is to have three to four light sources per room. Some of these sources can be purely functional, while others can add personality, character and funk to a space.

For smaller spaces, consider smaller light sources such as table lamps and floor lamps, while larger spaces such as a living room or kitchen may require overhead lighting. Don’t forget dimmers; use them to control the atmosphere in your room by dimming the lights according to the time of day and the atmosphere of your space.

Hang it up

Decorate your walls with your favorite artwork and photos. Get creative and print your favorite family photos or artwork and hang them on empty walls. Wall art will instantly personalize your space and fill it with distinctive personal touches.

Liven it up with plants and cacti

Plants and cacti not only add life and greenery to your apartment, but also purify the air and it can lift your mood. Choose plants that suit your plant care style: Choose an unpretentious pothos if you kill every plant you buy and go for a funky cactus or string of pearls if you are an average to professional plant parent who is very careful with your flora.

For more home tips, here’s how lift heavy boxes and furniture and not to hurt your back, but that’s what you need know before you move.