Decorating new apt.

Posted: Thu, May 31 2012, 5:14 pm Post subject: decorating new apt.

so I just moved to a brand new apt. there is soooo much to buy. some things necessary and some just for kicks. need tips to make it more homey and cozy. for now its just DH and I so no kids stuff to fill the house yet. iYH very soon.

I know I need to purchase plants and paintings for walls and light fixtures and potpourris and rugs and cute nick nacks to make it homey. but all that costs a lot. I intend to decorate but obviously I cant just buy all that at once.

to all creative imas, please provide tips on small things that I can do to make my apt inviting and warm.
what should I purchase first ( I already purchased a lot)? which little things make the big difference??

Posted: Thu, May 31 2012, 5:18 pm Post subject: re: decorating new apt.

go to discount stores like walmart, costco, target and even national wholesale liquidators.

Posted: Thu, May 31 2012, 5:28 pm Post subject: re: decorating new apt.

Decorate one room at a time. Choose the most used spaces first. When you reach the maximum you wanted to spend this month wait until next month to continue. Slowly your house will become a home.

You can sometimes find cheap fixtures and frames on amazon or ebay. Make sure to check them out every now and then.

Gold Member Joined: Jun 08 2007 Posts: 1331

I have always wanted judaica art but found it all to be very expensive. I went on ebay a few weeks ago and found a few beautiful paintings from israel for like less then $20 a peice. I brought them to michaels bought frames and had them custom matted. the whole thing cost about $200 for 2 beautiful peices of art.
this was still a slplurge for me but anything sold in judaica stores were thousands per painting.

Gold Member Joined: Aug 24 2010 Posts: 1491

and your apartment is going to turn into home, even if you don't get nick nacks and stuff... just by living in it and creating memories, it will become home. (Not dissuading you from getting stuff, just want to point out that it's not a necessary expense, and if you don't have it, leave it for 6 months and reevaluate then. You might not feel such a strong need at that point, and you might feel very strongly what it is you need to personalize.)

The only thing I would say is worth getting is a picture or two to hang on the walls, so that it's not just plain white walls.

Diamond Member Joined: Nov 30 2009 Posts: 4688

things like nice curtains made a huge diff in my apt that just had plain old shades. marshalls and burlington, tj maxx all have some nice stuff generally at cheaper prices.

I would def not do it all at once. building a home doesnt happen over night.

decide on an amount per month that you can spend. dont go over it (unless you have extra $$ hanging around of course) and if you dont use all of it one month it can "roll over" to the next.

I agree to start with a lived in room first, prob the living room or master bedroom.

also you can look online or in stores previously mentioned in other posts for frames- I like having one type/color per room- but there are def diff opnions.

things like throws over a couch or chair can help the homey and add a new color/look to a room.

Posted: Thu, May 31 2012, 6:00 pm Post subject: re: decorating new apt.

I just moved and don't have furniture yet, just a mattress and kitchen table with chairs and my home feels like a home already!

Giving each room a different color makes a big difference. Curtains is also a great idea (did that for the bedroom). Keep your home in mind and when you see something then get it - don't rush into things...

good luck Smile

Active Poster Joined: Jun 22 2011 Posts: 39

Congrats on your new home!
I agree with bigprincess- it doesn't have to be decorated all at once. It looks like you bought a lot already. Adding another something every month is less stressful and way more fun. Enjoy it!

Posted: Fri, Jun 01 2012, 10:09 am Post subject: re: decorating new apt.

thanks all for the great ideas and perspective. you see, I dont go for the cluttered look. I like things as clear as possible. but I love knick knacks. I dont understand myself either Wink

. like, how does that work?
also, I dont have DR furniture yet (didnt order yet) and my dinette table and chairs havent come yet (I have folding chairs and table). hope that will come this week.
pictures on the wall will definately spice things up and give everything a homey look.
I have gorgeous silver and stuff for a china closet that would add a lot but for now its in boxes.
any other ideas very appreciated. what things should I concentrate on first to make it as cozy as possible really fast?

Silver Member Joined: Feb 14 2010 Posts: 612

a few small(ish) picture frames in a group, a small table lamp, a plant, some coffee table books in a stack/picture albums on a small table or even a radiator. Mazal tov and have fun with decorating.

Executive Member Joined: May 20 2011 Posts: 385

Posted: Fri, Jun 01 2012, 11:47 am Post subject: re: decorating new apt.

I actually have gorgeous paint, a warm beige color with stark white woodwork. really nice. unfortunately, the builder/landlord chose really ugly floors for the kitchen dining room and hall. in the 2 bedrooms he put gorgeous expensive flooring. beats me. he should have just switched the two. so now I have to buy a runner for the hall. furniture in the DR will take away from the floor. and kitchen? idk what I'll do. I guess rugs is my first priority. and something for the walls...

cant wait to buy a crib and the carriage db815 helped me chose Wink

. baby paraphernalia will make a big difference iyH./..

Executive Member Joined: May 20 2011 Posts: 385

Posted: Fri, Jun 01 2012, 3:16 pm Post subject: re: decorating new apt.

We went Ikea with some of our furniture, lighting and decor. They have great fixtures and lamps, picture frames and framed art at dirt cheap prices, candlesticks, plants, etc.

Diamond Member Joined: Apr 29 2006 Posts: 4774

Have you moved in yet? I think you'll know more about what you want once the furniture is moved in and you are settled more. I would go for a few wall hangings, can be a nice mirror of big nice clock and framed pictures. Getting curtains and rugs add a honey look as well. Beyond that, I would wait. Give it time and buy things slowly as you find them or see a need for them.
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