Blank walls, plain carpet, and lonely countertops: Whether you’re moving into your first place or you already have years of apartment living under your belt, making your new apartment feel like a home can seem like an intimidating task, and you might have found yourself asking these questions:
Luckily, a few simple changes can go a long way in turning your new apartment into a space where you can feel cozy, comfortable, and right at home. When it comes to filling your new space, product protection is a great place to start. A Mulberry Unlimited subscription lets you get coverage for all your new apartment purchases under the same product protection plan, giving you the chance to focus on making your apartment feel like home.
Here are some simple tips to help you transform your new apartment from bland, sterile, and uninspiring to completely your own!
1. Light it up
If there’s anything that can make a place feel dreary or sterile, it’s apartment lighting. If you’re hoping to make your new apartment feel cozy, adjusting the lighting is a great place to start. Incorporate warm and inviting lighting through the use of lamps, and consider swapping out some of your lighting fixtures (if your apartment complex allows it).
Most apartments come with cheap, builder-grade lighting fixtures. Changing your dining room light fixtures, for example, can instantly elevate your apartment and create a cozy, inviting feel.
2. Fill the walls
One of the best ways to instantly make your new apartment feel more like you is by decorating the walls with hanging wall art or other decor.
When shopping for art to fill your walls, look for pieces that have personal significance to you–whether that’s framed posters of places you’ve traveled, photos of family and friends, or even abstract art that speaks to you or reflects your personal style. Incorporating wall decor will instantly warm up your space and make it feel like home–you might even forget you’re in an apartment at all!
3. Add some home scents
Home is much more than just what you see–it’s what you smell too! If you’re wondering how to make your apartment feel like your own, be sure to add some comforting home scents. From wall plug-ins to oil diffusers or even candles, there are plenty of options to help create that familiar home feeling.
When choosing scents to add to your new apartment, keep in mind that different scents create different feelings in your home, so choose home scents that speak to you, whether that’s the smell of fresh linen, kitchen lemon, or warm, cozy scents.
4. Incorporate natural elements
Another impactful way to elevate your new apartment is by adding natural elements to your decor. Fresh flowers and potted plants can instantly brighten up your space, creating a fresh, welcoming feel.
Not interested in maintaining live plants? Artificial greenery and faux flowers are a great alternative, and as low maintenance as you can get! And if you choose to go the artificial route, here’s a helpful tip to make your faux stems look real: carefully arrange them in a vase and add a little water. No one will ever know the difference!
5. Install window treatments
Nothing says “boring apartment” like the basic shades and blinds that are installed in them. Luckily, it’s easy to change that–simply invest in some fresh, welcoming, and inexpensive window treatments. Light and airy drapes, curtains for the living room, bamboo shades, and other additions can instantly take your new apartment from bland and basic to fun, elevated, and welcoming.
Window treatments are not only effective at adding personality to your space, they’re also a great way to brighten up your rooms and make the spaces look larger–however, it’s important to choose the right window treatments. While dark and heavy fabrics will darken your space and add a gloomy feel, light-colored, airy fabrics will have the opposite effect.
And believe it or not, the length of your window treatments matters too. Floor length window treatments can make your windows feel taller and wider, while short curtains or drapes will make your windows feel smaller and more cramped than they actually are.
If you’re struggling to make your new apartment feel inviting and cozy, you aren’t alone–it’s normal to feel this way when you move into a new place. However, with a few simple tips and tricks, you can take your apartment from bland and ordinary to creative and cozy in no time.
And don't forget to invest in product protection when purchasing new products for your space. By subscribing to Mulberry Unlimited, you can get coverage for all your online purchases under the same product protection plan. Happy decorating!