Our Favorite Online Resources for First Apartments

If you live in an apartment as small as mine (do I complain about this enough?) there’s a fair change that a good part of your home life actually takes place within the constraints of your laptop. Or iPad. Or smartphone. Daydreaming about the decorations and objects you’ll one day put in your regular-sized dream home is fun, but there are also plenty of great resources online for deals and ideas that will help enhance your first apartment! My fellow bloggers, Audra and Christa have recently shared some of their budget-friendly favorites.

Here are a few of mine:

Pinterest is my all-around favorite apartment site.  Not only can I pin tons of great products like furniture and artwork that I want in my home, I also find tons of inspiration on everything from how to recycle maps to create art to how to arrange my bookshelves.

Fab. Offers  small and local artists the opportunity to vend their goods online. Prices can range from $10 for artwork to $1000’s for furniture, but everything is unique, and I always get compliments on my Fab.com purchases. You also get bonuses for referring friends plus sales, free shipping and other discounts are frequent.

Groupon Goods sells awesome products for your home at wholesale prices.  Sheets, towels, toothbrush stands, shower liners, heated toilet seats– everything you’ve ever wanted and everything you didn’t know you needed is available here and at good prices.

Etsy. For that unique and quirky piece you are looking for — perhaps a re-purposed library desk or a hand-knit throw — Etsy should be your go-to spot.

Overstock.Just like the name implies, this site tries to rid stores of products they no longer want to sell.  Furniture and home goods deals are great here, especially for a splurge item like a leather armchair or a wooden wardrobe, all listed at lower than retail prices.

Scoutmob Shoppe. “Inspired goods by independent makers” fill this shop, and their “home” section is a great way to make a rental apartment feel personal.  Dishes, decorations, and recycled furniture all stars here, and prices are usually reasonable.

P.S. Don’t forget that January is the month for bedding and home-goods sales, as Alissa found out last January. Scout for similar bargains next month.