When you’re broke and living in your first place, making it feel more adult can be difficult. But just because you don’t have much money doesn’t mean you can’t make the space your own and that people who visit won’t notice the difference. This guide will help you make your new home feel more like home without breaking the bank. You’ll find everything from helpful hints to tips on getting started to room-by-room inspiration here!
Be Careful with Your Budget
- Rent is often the biggest expense when you move out on your own for the first time. Make sure you budget for it accordingly.
- Avoid unnecessary expenses like buying new furniture or décor when you can find affordable used items instead.
- Utilize free or low-cost resources like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or garage sales to furnish your place.
- Learn how to cook simple meals at home so you don’t have to eat out all the time.
- Keep your utility bills in mind when budgeting – make sure you can afford things like heat, water, and electricity.
Add Texture to the Walls
- Hang things up. Curtains, paintings, and tapestries can all add visual interest and make your place feel more cozy. Plus, they can help hide any imperfections in the walls.
- Add some greenery. Plants can brighten up any space and make it feel more inviting. If you don’t have a green thumb, fake plants are always an option!
- Layer your lighting. Adding different types of lighting (floor lamps, table lamps, string lights, etc.) can create a warm and inviting ambiance in your home.
- Bring in some color.Whether you paint an accent wall or just add some colorful throw pillows, adding a pop of color can really liven up a space.
Pick a Quality Rug
A quality rug is a great way to make your first place feel more adult. It adds comfort and style, and can tie a room together. Plus, it can be a great conversation starter when you have guests over. Here are a few tips on how to pick a quality rug for your first place • Do some research into the different types of rugs available, such as wool rugs or synthetic rugs. Which type will work best in your space?
- Check the underside of the rug and make sure that there is no dirt or stains before purchasing it. If there are any stains then take them into consideration before buying because they may not come out in time.
- When shopping for a large area rug, try to find one that matches well with other colors in the room. The most important thing is making sure that this will work with your furniture because the rug could change everything about how a room looks and feels! For example, if you choose a solid colored rug without much patterning (like a modern rug), then all of your furniture should also be solid colored.
Hang Art on the Wall
Art can make a big impact in small spaces, and it doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are some tips for finding and hanging art on a tight budget. Find artists you like on social media or at galleries. If you see an artist whose work resonates with you, but don’t want to spend the money, reach out and ask if they will sell prints or originals from their studio.
Take your search online by using sites like eBay or Etsy where prices tend to be more affordable than other sources. Sign up for mailing lists from your favorite artists and galleries so that you never miss out on opportunities for one-of-a-kind pieces of art when they come up for sale.
Purchase One Nice Piece of Furniture
If you’re on a tight budget, furnishing your first place can seem like a daunting task. But don’t worry – there are plenty of ways to make your space feel grown-up without breaking the bank. Start by purchasing one nice piece of furniture.
This could be an heirloom piece, something you found at a thrift store, or even something from IKEA. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something you love and that fits your style. Furniture adds personality to any room, so if you go with a low-cost option, try choosing something different than what everyone else in your area has.
Another way to create the illusion of grandeur is by adding accent pieces that may not cost much but have major impact. Think artwork for your walls (IKEA sells beautiful frames), coffee table books for your reading nook, or throw pillows for every seat in the house!
Take Advantage of Free Things Around Town
- Use what you have. That coffee table that’s been sitting in your living room for years? It can double as a dining table! Pull up a few extra chairs from around the house and voila, instant dining set.
- Know where to find free things. CraigsList is a great resource for finding furniture and other household items for free or cheap. Check garage sales, too!
- Invest in multipurpose furniture. A couch that converts into a guest bed is a great way to save space and money.
- Get creative with storage solutions. Repurpose an old dresser into a media center or use baskets to organize your bathroom items.
- DIY it! Spend some time searching Pinterest for inspiration. There are tons of easy tutorials out there to help you turn trash into treasure! 6. And last but not least, be patient. These changes won’t happen overnight and will require a little bit of creativity on your part (or sometimes cash). But the payoff will be worth it in the end – trust me!
Add Little Touches
When you’re first starting out, your place is probably going to be pretty bare-bones. But that doesn’t mean it has to feel that way! There are lots of little things you can do to make your space feel more grown-up and put-together. Here are a few of our favorites -Use plants as decor around the house or in empty spaces.
They add a pop of green and life without taking up too much room, they can help purify the air in your home (it turns out plants are really good at this!), and they help lower stress levels! -Pick up some scented candles for ambiance (or when you have company over). They smell nice, but also come with many other benefits like helping to relax the body and mind, boosting mood, aiding in meditation…
Create Nicely Sized Pieces of Furniture
Broke but still want your place to look chic? You don’t have to sacrifice style when furnishing your first home on a tight budget. With a little creativity and elbow grease, you can create some stunning pieces of furniture that will make your space look more polished and put-together. Here are some tips and tricks to get you started with DIY projects for the living room, bedroom, and kitchen:
-Build a coffee table from inexpensive wood or board – (Instructions for building this project here)
-Construct an affordable shelf out of wood boards – (Instructions for building this project here)
-Create an adorable ottoman with fabric or upholstery – ( Instructions for making this project here)
-Turn an old door into a headboard or console table – ( Instructions for making this project here)
Install A Few Large Potted Plants Around the House
- They add instant life and color to any room.
- Potted plants are an easy way to experiment with different greenery without committing to a full-fledged garden.
- They can purify the air, improve your mood, and boost your productivity.
- Most importantly, they make your place look more adult.
- Here are a few tips for choosing and caring for potted plants:
- Go for plants that are known to be low-maintenance, such as succulents, cacti, or snake plants.
- Be sure to pick a pot that has drainage holes and is the right size for your plant. 8. Succulents need regular watering and fertilizing, while cacti need very little water (or just once every couple of months). 9. Snake plants require moderate watering during their growing season (April through September) but should dry out before winter sets in (October through March).
- Find inspiration from other green thumbs on Instagram! Search