Outfitting Your New Place? Don't Overlook These Essential Furnishings

Outfitting Your New Place? Don't Overlook These Essential Furnishings

When furnishing your first apartment, it's important to start by determining your budget. This will allow you to set realistic expectations about what you can afford.Begin by looking at your monthly income and expenses. How much do you make each month after taxes? What are your fixed costs like rent, utilities, transportation, food, etc? This will give you an idea of how much you can allot towards furniture and home goods each month.It's better to start small and purchase the essential, functional pieces first. Focus on necessities like a bed, a sofa, a dining table and chairs. You can always add decorative accessories later when you have more disposable income. Don't feel like you need to furnish the entire apartment right away.Buying used furniture is a great way to save money when furnishing your first apartment. Check sites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace or thrift stores for quality used pieces. With a little hunting, you can find stylish items at a fraction of the retail cost. Just be sure to inspect used furniture carefully before purchasing.The key is setting a realistic budget upfront based on your financial situation, and prioritizing necessities first. Don't overextend yourself financially. With some savvy planning, you can furnish your first apartment nicely even on a limited budget.Measure Your SpaceBefore buying any furniture, it's important to measure each room in your new apartment to get a sense of the layouts and space available. Bring a tape measure and paper for notes to map out the dimensions.Pay attention to the length and width of each room, including alcoves and irregular spaces. Also measure doorways, hallways, and any narrow spots. Having detailed measurements will allow you to create rough room layouts later.As you measure, envision how you will use each room and where you want furniture placed. Think about traffic flow between rooms and doorways. You'll want space to easily move around and open doors and drawers. Avoid placing furniture in inconvenient spots that clog up main walking areas.Also consider spacing between furniture like nightstands and beds, sofas and coffee tables, or dining sets. You'll want enough room to comfortably use each piece of furniture. Measurements help choose the right sized furniture for each area.With the room dimensions and ideas for layouts in hand, you'll be ready to shop smarter when the time comes. Accurate measurements take the guesswork out of buying furniture that fits. Being thoughtful about traffic flow as you measure will result in a more functional space in your new apartment.Add Storage SolutionsWhen furnishing a new apartment, you'll likely find you need more storage space than you initially realized. Open shelving and dressers may look nice, but closed storage helps contain clutter. Consider investing in storage-maximizing solutions to keep your new place neat and organized.Bookcases are great for displaying decor while storing items. Seek tall bookcases to make use of vertical space and maximize storage. For frequently used items, look for accessible open shelving. For items used less often, closed cabinet storage keeps things tidy.Shelving units are extremely versatile for storage. Select a shelving unit with closed cabinets on the bottom to conceal items, and open shelves on top for display. Or choose a shelving unit with adjustable shelves to accommodate different storage needs. Place shelving units in the living room, dining area, bedroom or office.Storage cabinets are ideal for containing clutter in any room. Opt for cabinets with doors to conceal contents. In the bathroom, try a sink base cabinet for storing toiletries and towels. Add a linen cabinet in a hallway closet. Install a pantry cabinet in the kitchen for food storage. And use a media cabinet in the living room to neatly store electronics, books, games and more behind closed doors.With some creative storage solutions, you can maximize every inch of space in your new apartment and keep it neatly organized. The right bookcases, shelving units and storage cabinets will help you stay tidy while personalizing your place.Purchase Multifunctional FurnitureWhen furnishing a small space, look for pieces that serve multiple purposes. Multifunctional furniture maximizes the usefulness of every square foot. Here are some key multifunctional furniture pieces to consider:Sofa Bed for Extra GuestsA sofa bed or futon allows your living room to double as a guest room. Sofa beds easily convert from a couch to a bed, providing extra sleeping space when needed. Look for a sturdy sofa bed with a comfortable mattress. Be sure to try the conversion process in the store.Ottoman with Storage SpaceOttomans with hollow insides provide seating plus hidden storage. Use them to stow extra blankets, pillows, books and more. Look for ottomans with flip-tops or lift-off lids for easy access. Storage ottomans come in many shapes, sizes and materials to suit any decor.Kitchen Cart for Extra Counter SpaceKitchen carts provide additional countertop space, storage and mobility to small kitchens. Look for carts with shelves, drawers, towel racks and more. Carts on wheels can easily roll where needed. Use them as serving carts for entertaining. Kitchen carts are ideal for additional food prep space in compact kitchens.Purchasing multifunctional furniture is a smart way to save space and add functionality. Look for pieces like sofa beds, storage ottomans and kitchen carts to get more use out of less square footage.Factor in AppliancesWhen furnishing your first apartment, don't forget about major appliances. While some apartments come with a refrigerator, stove, oven, and dishwasher already installed, you'll likely need to purchase your own washer and dryer or make plans for doing laundry.RefrigeratorA refrigerator is essential for storing fresh food and leftovers. Look for an energy efficient model with enough capacity for a single person or couple. Consider a bottom-freezer or French door style for easy access. Measure the space in your kitchen to ensure a proper fit.