Our Top Picks from Pottery Barn’s Small Spaces Line

March 7, 2017 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a person in possession of a small apartment must be in want of smart, savvy, space-saving furniture. Enter Pottery Barn’s Small Spaces line stage right. IKEA has long reigned as the place to find multi-purpose furniture for small apartments, but Pottery Barn is giving them stiff competition. Although less budget…

10 Winter Decor Ideas

December 21, 2016 | By Jessie AuthorMy First Apartment

It’s the first day of winter and you know you’ll start spending a lot of time snuggled in your apartment. Make your space warm and welcoming for the holidays and beyond with these easy and inexpensive decor ideas! 1. Display a winter wreath Put a wreath on your front door to add a warm, wintry…

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…

Time for Apartment Shopping! 15 Labor Day Sales to Check Out!

September 2, 2016 | By Anna R. AuthorMy First Apartment

Like many smart shoppers, I’m definitely one who will try to purchase items on sale as often as possible, especially when it comes to apartment furniture and appliances! There are so many great deals that happen around holidays, and Labor Day is no different. In my experience, Labor Day sales focus on selling outdoor furniture,…

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…

Thrift Shop Decorating: 5 Basic Rules of Second-Hand Shopping

June 12, 2016 | By Eliza AuthorMy First Apartment

The idea of furnishing a new apartment, in addition to paying rent, is the stuff of nightmares for those of us paying off loans. Add the Pinterest-induced pressure of accent pieces, space-saving DIY projects, and words like “minimalist,” “bohemian,” and “shabby chic,” and one wants to throw their hands up and sleep on an air…

Decorator’s Best Friend: The Color Wheel

January 24, 2016 | By Sarah AuthorMy First Apartment

As you move into your first place, one thing becomes abundantly clear. Decorating is HARD! Something that your family made look easy growing up is much more intimidating when you have to start from scratch and do it yourself. When I moved into my first place, decorating was too overwhelming for me. I had a…

No Hammer or Nails Needed! Easy Ways to Decorate Walls Damage- Free

November 6, 2015 | By Melissa W AuthorMy First Apartment

In college I was introduced to Command products by a dorm policy that only allowed Command wall adhesives. Now that I’ve been out of that dorm for 5 years, I still am a firm believer in using these products. When looking in the Command aisle at Target, it’s hard to imagine that the little packages…

Thrifty Decorating Solutions: Throw Pillows & Wall Art

June 23, 2015 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

Whether you’re decorating your first apartment ever or re-inventing the style of your fifth apartment, one thing remains true – throw pillows and wall art are a great way to liven up and give your space a whole new look. But you know what else is true? Both of those things are usually not very…

Decorating on the Cheap: The Pros & Cons of IKEA Furniture

June 10, 2015 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

Let me just go ahead and make it clear: I L-O-V-E IKEA. I mean, what’s not to love? The stuff is great. But, even though IKEA has been there to save the day many a time when I’ve had an apartment furnishing crisis and very little cash in my post-college bank account, there are some…