If you’re renting your first apartment, you are likely overwhelmed by a lot of contradictory emotions. You’re excited and happy, but you’re just as nervous and fearful at the same time. It’s difficult to figure out what to do first.
Among other anxieties, there is your desire to decorate the home to suit your tastes and needs. Given the fact that this is the first time you’re doing this, chances are you’ll have no idea what you are doing.
To save you some time and trouble we’ve compiled a guide for first-time renters on decorating and furnishing their bedrooms. Hopefully, it will set you off on the right path.
Walk in with an Open Mind
When viewing potential apartments, you rarely have the time to think about decorating or moving some of the furniture around. You’ll be focused on the price and the lay of the land. If you’ve viewed a lot of places as well, chances are you won’t be quite certain which room had the nice drapes and where the bed was facing the window.
When you finally do get the keys, don’t barge into the space looking to accomplish everything at once. Unpack your boxes, settle in, and keep an open mind about your new home.
Live in it for a couple of weeks before you start rearranging furniture and introducing your own decorative items. You want to get a real feel for the way you use the space before making any alterations.
Always Start with the Bed
The bed is arguably the only piece of furniture you need to have in your bedroom. Storage units are a nice addition, and if it’s also doubling as an office, you’ll need your office equipment too.
However, the bed is the crown jewel of the space, and it should be your primary focus when you first move in. Most rentals will have decent mattresses, but the one you end up with still might not be to your liking. It may be too soft or too firm, or you might be a side sleeper and just can’t settle on the one you’ve been offered.
Whether you plan on renting for a while or saving up for your own place, investing in a mattress can be a very smart move. You’ll ensure you always get a good night’s sleep, and you won’t have to worry about shoddy springs or the sanitary habits of the previous renter.
A hybrid mattress is a great choice as it combines the best of both worlds by using foam and coils. They are soft, supportive, and usually quite durable, which means they should last for many years.
Not Much You Can Do About Storage
The amount of storage that is available to you can’t be influenced too much, sadly. You don’t want to accrue a whole host of storage pieces that you then have to move with you every time. Hold off on investing in key furniture items until you’re settled into a home where you plan to stay for years.
As for your rented bedroom, try to maximize whatever storage you do have with clever hacks. Here are a few really useful ones:
- Use separators in your drawers.
- Buy hangers on which you can hang a pair of trousers along with a shirt.
- Master the art of folding.
- Utilize every inch of the space functionally.
- Get a clothing rail that will always come in handy.
- Use the space under the bed for added storage.
- Invest in a locker somewhere where you can keep the pieces you don’t need right at this moment.
Keep the Clutter to a Minimum
Bedroom decor is meant to be soothing and calming. Your goal is to create a space where you can rest and relax, not one that is cluttered with art, decorative items, clothing, or memorabilia.
Keeping your bedroom tidy is super important. Although it sounds like something your mother would say, it’s actually the prerequisite to adulthood. By keeping the bedroom clutter-free, you’ll have a much easier time falling asleep. Plus, you won’t get annoyed every time you walk in and have to jump over piles of washing.
You can (and should!) hang some art on the walls, introduce a plant or two, and make the room your own. Just try to limit your nesting urges and ensure the room feels put together rather than a dumping ground of your memories and disposable income.
Invest in Key Pieces
Just like you need to invest in your mattress, you should also make it a point to invest in your bedding. Since the mattress will be going with you everywhere from now on, you don’t have to worry about accruing several sets of the wrong size of bedding.
This is where you can reasonably splurge a little. Treat yourself to pillows, throws, pillowcases, and blankets that are not exactly the most affordable option on the market. Sleeping in quality sheets and snuggling into your quality bedding at night is a form of self-care, after all.
Silk pillowcases are becoming more affordable, so if you don’t mind sleeping on silk, you can invest in a set that will protect your hair and your face from microdamage while you sleep. Brushed cotton is another popular material, and you can always go for staple linen pieces as well.
Final Thoughts
Your first bedroom might not be the best-decorated one you ever sleep in, but it might end up being your favorite one. After all, you are now the complete master of this space. It’s a space that you’ve carved out for yourself and that you can tweak and decorate to your own design.
Keep our tips in mind when moving into your first rental, as they can save you some heartache and stress down the line. And, of course, enjoy your rental life to the fullest. After all, there’s nothing like stepping into the world of adulthood and being out on your own.
