- How To Style Your Living Room From Scratch House
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- How To Style Your Living Room From Scratch Home
By on in Moving
The moving process can be pretty work intensive. If you’re selling, staging your home so that someone will fall in love with it and buy it is a job in itself. Then, there’s the task of packing and clearing out your old place. And then there’s the actual move, unpacking and decorating a new home.
If you're looking to start decorating your space from scratch, the living room in this 600-square foot apartment decorated by Havenly reveals a simple formula for small space decorating. First, stick with low-profile furniture in neutral colors. Leggy pieces like the coffee table create a sense of spaciousness because you can see more of the floor.
Many movers feel like they never want to move again, or at least they may want to set up their home differently the next time around. Here are five moving “aha!” moments and the lessons they provide on decorating a new home better and more easily the next time.
1. Some of the stuff you packed (and carried) should have been left behind
The most common realization during the moving process is that you have far more than you thought you did. And honestly, how much of it have you even used recently? Many movers end up realizing that a sizable percentage of the stuff they paid to move should have stayed behind. Moving it wasted time, effort and money.
It’s time to clear out the clutter, even if you have no plans to move soon. You’ll feel better about the space you make and you’ll be ready when it’s time to pack things up.
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Resolution: Packing and purging are two different tasks. Trying to clear out during the packing process is way too much work in a short time span. Start the editing process at least two months before you move. Take on one room at a time and decide what gets thrown out, recycled or donated. That way, when it’s time to pack, you’ll have less to handle.
2. Some of the furniture from the old home may not fit in the new place
One of the common problems when moving furniture from one place to another is that the scale or style of the major pieces doesn’t work in the new place. You can have a garage sale and practically give the pieces away, then have to spend money on new ones – or you can shop smart next time.
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Resolution: Your main furniture pieces should be classic in style, neutral in color and as modular as possible. Look for sofas or sectionals that can be separated into smaller pieces or can be expanded into large ones as needed, like the Tillary collection from West Elm. And once you move in, invest in bold or colorful accent pieces to give your classic neutral furniture some pop. It’s much cheaper to buy some graphic pillows or an area rug than it is to replace a sofa that’s too style-specific.
3. Heavy furniture makes moving and rearranging harder
It used to be a fact that the heavier the furniture, the better the quality. But that is no longer true, thanks to manufacturing and material advancements. And once you have to haul your heavy, giant sofa up a few flights of stairs, you may not love it as much as you once did.
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Resolution: Consider the weight of furniture before you buy. Look for pieces that are well constructed but feature lightweight materials. Even better, consider buying furniture that breaks down easily, or even flatpacks like these pieces, to save you time and money on your next move. Even if you’re not planning on moving, lightweight furniture makes it easier to rearrange or clean around it.
4. You loved the home staging of your old place so much, you considered staying
Did you fall in love with your old home all over again after the home stager worked their magic? You’re not alone. What’s the secret to the way your home looked so awesome after being staged to sell? Simplification and a few applied design principles.
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Resolution: When decorating a new home, set it up to look like it’s a model home – and live that way every day. That means that clutter is non-existent, everything is put away and every room has the right touch of accessories and color. Burn fragrant candles and enjoy your home!
Here are some great articles to check out to get you started:
And when the home doldrums set in, rearrange your furniture and accessories. Freshening up your space every few months can work wonders for the energy of the room.
5. Paint and decorate right away or it’s not going to happen
Let’s be honest. If you’ve moved in the last couple of years, you probably have some boxes you still haven’t unpacked. Or home improvement projects you wanted to tackle and never got around to starting. You’ve got to strike while the iron is hot and before you start settling into a daily routine.
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Resolution: Decorating a new home needs to happen right away. If you have projects you want to do, like upgrading lighting, painting or replacing the flooring, do them before you move in – or right when you do. It’s far easier to get the messier projects like painting and flooring done before you arrive, but if you can’t do them in advance, make them a priority when you move in. Unpack all boxes ASAP. And if you’re burnt out and rethinking painting the living room in a pumpkin spice shade, paint just one focal wall in the color. You’d be amazed what one single bold wall can do for a room.
Have you moved recently? We’d love to hear what you learned from your move and how you’ll approach decorating a new home.
By on in Inspiration
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Moving into your very first apartment is big. So is the to-do list, especially if you’re decorating from scratch — and on a budget. Before doing anything, make sure you change your address with the USPS. Once you’ve done that, you’re ready to think about decorating your new apartment. These apartment decorating ideas come with a basic shopping list to get you started. The list focuses on the elements in each room that create the biggest bang for your budget.
When moving into a new apartment, your first task is to choose two spaces you want to prioritize first. The living room and bedroom are likely the two most important spaces in your place. They may also be the two rooms that require the most investment. Regardless of which rooms you want to tackle first, visualize how you’ll be using the room in order to furnish it. Focus on quality over quantity. To get started, take a look at these apartment decorating ideas and see which give you the most inspiration.
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General apartment decorating ideas
There are a couple of elements you should consider adding to every room in the apartment. They’re affordable, and they make a big difference in the look of the room.
General shopping list for your new apartment:
- Window treatments for each room
- Two lighting fixtures per room
Window treatments
Nothing makes a room look unfinished faster than bare windows. Not to mention, you’ll be lacking in privacy. Whether you go with blinds or simple curtains and a curtain rod, make sure to add window treatments to each room in your new apartment. Don’t know what kind to buy? Choose a simple neutral shade. You can always add a second curtain panel in a geometric print or bold color.
Lighting fixtures
Swapping out boring, basic light fixtures can make a huge difference in how your room looks and functions. Some lighting fixture ideas include:
- Pendant lights
- A more stylish, replacement overhead light fixture
- Wall sconces
- Table lamps
- A floor lamp
- Battery-powered, LED under-cabinet lighting
As a rule of thumb, try to have two different light sources in each room. For example, add a floor lamp and an overhead light fixture in your living room, a table lamp and a pendant in your bedroom and an overhead light fixture and under-cabinet lighting in your kitchen.
Buy all of the fixtures at once to create a sense of flow in the apartment. If you’re handy, you can install them yourself. Or if you prefer not to work with electricity, call an electrician or take advantage of Amazon’s new home service line.
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Apartment decorating ideas for your new entryway
Do you have a designated entryway? Make use of the space by adding some function to it.
Entryway shopping list:
- A narrow table, cabinet or bench
- A mirror
Narrow table, cabinet or bench
This will be your entryway focal point and the catch-all for keys, handbags and mail. A narrow item will keep the area from feeling closed-in. Look for a piece that has additional storage like drawers, shelves or cabinets. If you need a place to sit and remove or put on your shoes, consider adding a bench that can work as an entry table and dressing bench. Choose one with storage, or one with tall legs where you can tuck in baskets for shoes and other objects.
Mirror
Hang a mirror over your table or bench. A mirror adds vertical height to the setting and allows you to give yourself a check when you’re coming and going. Mirrors also do a great job of expanding small spaces.
Wall hooks
Add a series of wall hooks or a wall rack in your entryway to organize jackets and backpacks. If you have lots of smaller items like umbrellas and hats, hang a canvas bag on one of the hooks to hold them.
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Apartment decorating ideas for the living room
How will you use the living room? It’s likely you’ll need a quality sofa and somewhere to kick your feet up. Will there be a TV in your living room? Where will your devices go?
Living room shopping list:
- Coffee table or ottoman
- Wall art
- TV cabinet/bookcase
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Sofa
The sofa is the star of the living room, so invest carefully. It’s wise to choose the largest one you can fit in the space. Don’t fret if you’re dealing with a small living room; there are plenty of small apartment sofas that are just as stylish and comfortable as larger ones. If your budget is limited, go secondhand shopping for your sofa. Older or vintage sofas are well-made, and you can always throw a slipcover on one to freshen it up.
Coffee table
The next piece to consider should serve double-duty: the coffee table. Don’t feel limited by the word “table,” either; an ottoman is a great substitute. If space allows, select a narrow, rectangular ottoman that works as a bench or table. You can add a tray on top to set drinks on. In addition, many ottomans come with inner storage for blankets and magazines.
Wall art
You probably have a large white wall behind your sofa space to deal with. If you’re renting, painting or wallpapering may not be possible. However, strategically placing a collection of objects or framed photos, gallery-style, may be all you need. Alternatively, hang a rug or tapestry on the wall to add some color and texture to your living room.
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TV cabinet
A media or TV cabinet is a great furniture piece to include in your initial living room decorating plan, even if you wall-mount your TV. It adds storage to your living room for more than just your media. Choose a narrow style with plenty of shelves, doors and drawers for optimal usage of space.
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Apartment decorating ideas for the kitchen/dining room
You may have a designated dining area, or perhaps just a small breakfast nook or a kitchen with an island and bar stools. Whatever the case, there are a few essentials for making the most of your dining room and kitchen.
Kitchen/dining room shopping list:
- A table and chairs
- Table runner
Table and chairs
Choose a versatile table that can serve many purposes — you’ll use it often. Splurge on the table and look for secondhand chairs if you can’t afford both. If your kitchen will serve as your dining area, too, then consider adding one of these kitchen island ideas with stools or a tall bar table instead of a dining table. A taller table setup can serve as your dining and breakfast table, food prep and storage spot and mini office space.
Table runner
A table runner is a long strip of fabric that adds a pop of color or style to your table. Unlike a tablecloth, which covers the whole surface, a table runner adds a stripe down the table for a more modern feel. Simply including a runner can add a sense of design to your table and make your table setting more interesting.
Apartment decorating ideas for the bedroom
Your bedroom should be your sanctuary. Focus on keeping the space uncluttered, inviting and restful. Don’t fall into the trap of purchasing an entire bedroom set; it’s better to have a sublime bed and one or two nightstands than an overloaded, six-piece bedroom set.
New apartment shopping list for the bedroom:
- Mattress
- Nightstand (or two)
- Closet organization items
Mattress
Invest in the best and most comfortable mattress you can afford. After all, you’ll spend more time on your mattress than anywhere else in your new apartment. Save your creative budgeting for the rest of the room.
Headboard
A headboard is cool, modern and perfect for small bedrooms. Even if you don’t have the space or budget for a bedframe, never skip the headboard; it completes the look of your bedroom like nothing else. If cash is tight, check out these headboard ideas.
Nightstands
Depending on the size of your new bedroom, you may choose a small side table or a traditional nightstand. Don’t feel like you have to get a matching pair, either; mixing and matching nightstands is a fun design choice.
Closet organization
If you don’t use your closet efficiently, clothes, shoes and miscellaneous items will inevitably end up in your bedroom space. A few closet organization items to consider are:
How To Style Your Living Room From Scratch House
- Hanging shoe organizer (great for more than just shoes)
- Boxes or bins
How To Style Your Living Room From Scratch Lyrics
For more ideas on how to organize your closet, especially if it’s a small one, check out these tiny closet and no closet ideas.
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Start with these essentials and live with them for awhile. As you get to know your new apartment, you’ll come up with ideas about what else you may need. Continue to layer your space with more items as your budget allows. Which rooms will you decorate first in your new apartment?