5 Best IKEA Items You Should Definitely Be Shopping For Your Apartment

July 12, 2018 | By Shea AuthorMy First Apartment

When it comes to shopping for your first apartment, there’s one place everyone knows to start looking, and that’s IKEA. The affordable furniture and decor giant is a must-have for new apartment renters, but with so many options, where do you even begin? While there is a lot to go around, here are some of…

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…

Keeping Your Low-Budget Apartment Welcoming

October 13, 2017 | By Taylor AuthorMy First Apartment

So, you’re living on a very low budget. So low that your furniture is all preowned and you’re using a cardboard box as a nightstand. This doesn’t mean you (or your guests) should feel like you’re living in squalor. Be clean One of the most important things you can do to make your low-budget apartment…

Bring Some Life into Your Apartment (Literally!)

September 19, 2017 | By Taylor AuthorMy First Apartment

If you’re living by yourself for the first time, the newly discovered freedom and privacy is great! (Hello, not having to share a bathroom with a roommate!) But even the most introverted person will find themselves feeling lonely after a month or two, particularly if you’re still on a budget and can’t afford to go…

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…

Thrifting for Apartment Decor- Where, How and What?

May 17, 2017 | By Dedreanna AuthorMy First Apartment

For me, one of the most exciting things about getting my own apartment was being able to decorate a space of my own. I’ve always loved finding a good deal, and thrifting is a great way to get home décor on a budget. Where? My favorite places to thrift are actual thrift stores (will vary…

5 Bed Frames Perfect for Apartment Living for Under $300

September 27, 2016 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

Hello again, budget apartment shoppers. Over the last few weeks, My First Apartment has been diving into finding all your apartment furniture needs on a dime, whether it’s a space-saving dining set, apartment-friendly sofas, or how to equip your first kitchen for under $200. This week, we’re tackling queen-sized bed frames for under $300 (note that the…

Apartment Living: Expectations vs. Reality

September 6, 2016 | By Kalee AuthorMy First Apartment

Before move-in day, apartment hunters have expectations about how apartment living will be, and the reality is often times very different. When we watch movies, read books, and scroll through photographs on social media, we often see the fun, nice-looking side of living in an apartment. I know I certainly did. I thought apartment living…

5 Apartment-Friendly Dining Sets Under $250

August 19, 2016 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

A few weeks ago, we brought you the first installment of The Affordable Apartment Furniture Basics Series (if you missed it, mosey on over here to check out 5 awesome couches for under $500). This week, we’re heading out of the living room and into the kitchen to bring you 5 apartment-friendly dining sets—often with multi-use functions (can…

5 Best Apartment Sofas Under $500

August 3, 2016 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

Let’s be honest: furniture shopping — and the big budget it often requires — only gets a special kind of person excited. I’m one of those rare breeds — few things get me more pumped than shopping. Digging to the depths of the internet. Walking through stores until your feet hurt and your gas tank is…