Five Ways to Budget Better This April

April 20, 2021 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Spring is here, and the warmer weather might make you feel more inclined to go outside and spend more money. If you’re experiencing a large increase in your spending as sunny days get longer, now is the right time to budget better so you can stay on top of rent, utilities, and all your other…

Cheap Bathroom Upgrades

January 15, 2019 | By Sarah AuthorMy First Apartment

Apartment bathrooms can be the least “nice” square feet in your whole place! Even after the deep clean you surely gave it upon move in, it can be hard to make it look shiny and new. Never fear! There are quite a few cheap bathroom upgrades that will improve the look and feel of your…

Dos and Don’ts For Furnishing Your First Apartment

August 7, 2018 | By Dedreanna AuthorMy First Apartment

One of the most exciting things about finally getting your first apartment is planning how you’ll furnish it. Your Pinterest boards are probably full of beautiful inspiration photos and you can’t wait to take your first Instagram selfies in your new setting. It can be tempting to run out and start buying things as soon…

This For That: Furnishing with High-End Looks at Low Prices

June 3, 2018 | By Marisa AuthorMy First Apartment

Do you have expensive taste and shallow pockets? There are so many beautiful furniture options at higher-end stores such as Crate&Barrel, Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, etc. However, most of us moving into our first apartment cannot afford to furnish our homes from those stores. The great thing is that most styles offered from high end…

Decorate Like a Pro: Secrets of TV’s Biggest Home Design Stars

April 22, 2018 | By Alex AuthorMy First Apartment

If you’re addicted to TV shows on home design, like Love It or List It, Fixer Upper and Property Brothers, you’d love to know their secrets. Even if you are living in a rental, are there tricks you can use to get your place to look like their place? Can you decorate like your favorite…

10 Worth-The-Build IKEA Items

February 1, 2018 | By Marisa AuthorMy First Apartment

IKEA is well known for its inexpensive furniture (and meatballs!) but that lower price tag usually requires some effort on your part. Depending on the item, you could spend hours on your IKEA item construction. In fact, the hours you spend building your IKEA bargains sometimes end up taking too much effort to make up…

15 Super Affordable and Stylish Home Decor Ideas

December 10, 2017 | By Shea AuthorMy First Apartment

From seeing Instagram-ready lofts on social media to wandering through adorable IKEA-created rooms, decorating your first apartment can seem like a daunting task. Whether it’s rugs you need, adorable lighting you crave, or accent pieces to spice up your window sill, apartment decor doesn’t have to be intimidating. In fact, these 15 pieces of affordable…

Living Room Under $500

October 29, 2017 | By Marisa AuthorMy First Apartment

Last month I showed how you can furnish your entire bedroom for under $500. Now, it’s time to furnish your living room with the same budget. Unlike a bedroom, a living room really doesn’t have a prescribed list of “must have” items. A living room is more an expression of you and your lifestyle. Maybe…

Your Entire Bedroom Under $500

September 7, 2017 | By Marisa AuthorMy First Apartment

Moving into your new place? Have no furniture? Well, have no fear! I am here to tell you that you can furnish your entire bedroom for under $500, and a stylish, adult-sized bedroom at that. Mattress: Zinus 12″ Memory Foam Tea Tree Mattress, QUEEN! $230 I actually use this mattress and it is truly well…

Decorating 101: How to Paint a Room

March 25, 2017 | By Contributors AuthorMy First Apartment

By Emma Clark One of the least expensive tricks to change the look of your new apartment is to paint it. Just make sure you get your landlord’s permission before you pick up the paint brush… if you don’t, you put your security deposit at risk. Once you’ve chosen your color combination, bought all the…