Hey hey, this is Megan with a blog takeover! Our team is taking turns with a couple of posts here and there to mix it up. Today, I am bringing you tips on how to make your apartment feel like home. Ready? Here goes….

Moving is always a little stressful and overwhelming – whether to a new city or just a new place to call home. We all know packing is not fun, leaving a home can be sad and starting over can be exciting yet terrifying. Or maybe you’ve been there for a few months and just don’t know how to make it feel like home. All you want is to walk into your apartment, drop your bags and feel like you can relax… Unfortunately there are many steps that have to go down before the “ahhh moment” and you can cozy up on your couch and watch Netflix. No worries, these next few tips will help you adjust to your new lifestyle and make your apartment feel like home.

Enter Your Home with Style
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Start with having a door mat that expresses your personality, this will separate your unit from everyone else. You are creating the vibe for you and your guests as they walk into your home. You can add a few succulents or small greenery to liven it up even more! Now that you have the sweetest exterior decor on your floor its time to add some flavor inside.

Think about this: What is your morning routine? Do you leave your keys by the door? Do you have a pup that has to go outside? Do you like to sit by the door and put your shoes on? Figuring out how you live will make your mornings smoother and not so hectic. Here are a few items to make your entry inviting and functional for your lifestyle. Depending on the size / style of your entry – a rug is number one. Then create a vignette with a large mirror, small console table with a table lamp(s), greenery, art and small decor. This is where you can add a doggie station with space for the leash and poo bags – let’s get real. Or a bench to sit on with a mirror to have that one last look of approval as you walk out the door.

The perfect rustic / traditional entry area

Entry Design By: Hi Sugarplum

Lets address the main areas you will be entertaining in : Living Room, Kitchen and whatever dining space you have. Let’s face it… there isn’t a lot of room when you live in an apartment but making the most of that space is what’s important.

THE LIGHTING: Every model unit is different some have an open floor plan and others may have the main areas closed off. Regardless, all of these rules apply.

It is very important to have three levels of lighting:

• Ambient (general lighting)
• Task lighting
• Accent Lighting

When you look at your space you don’t want to have any dark corners. By having each corner lit up it will make the room appear larger. In the picture below there is can lighting (Ambient), floor lamps (Task) & a table lamp (Accent) across the room. The room is also open to the Dining area – where there is additional lighting.

Your Goal: To make the room feel warm and inviting. With multiple levels of lighting you can now set the mood when watching a movie or keep it bright when cooking and entertaining.

Apartment Mode Unit Design – Living Room

THE CURTAINS: You will not regret this decision, I promise! You would not believe the difference curtains make when softening up a room.

This is where you can add your personality and style to your space. Do you LOVE color but sadly your apartment complex won’t let you paint the walls (and who really wants to paint them back when you move out?). This is where you can add color and a fun pattern to your home or keep it bright & white. Check out the photo bellow and see the impact curtains can make on a room.

Kitchen Eat – In curtains

THE ART: Like the curtains you can put your stamp of personality and style when selecting art for your apartment. This is also where you can keep it personal and add a touch of home or something sentimental.

There are key areas in a room that call for art – like above the sofa, by the kitchen table, above the fireplace – if you have one, hallway(s) or desk area. Keep in mind the sizes and if it needs to be paired with a partner or you can create a gallery wall. There are so many options with art – have fun with it!!

Living Room – Photo Gallery Wall

Model Unit Wall Art

THE RUG: Let’s not forget about another VERY important piece in the room that helps pull your space together and feel like home.

An area rug will bring color, pattern and texture to your apartment. Here is another solution to brightening up your room. The rug groups your furniture together creating purpose to your space – and you thought it was just about feeling comfy on your toes. Yes, of course! But so much more, when you enter your living room it will feel purposeful, somewhere you want to spend your time and that’s all we want at the end of the day.

Apartment Model Unit Decor

Living Room – Area Rug

THE ACCESSORIES & GREENERY: Now we get to the super fun stuff! Here is where you have to be carful to not just buy something becuase it looks pretty. Recognize your style, what you currently have and what you need to purchase, in order to finish the space.

I’ll list a few areas that require accessories and give you a few tips that help create a perfect setting. Tables, tables, tables – they all require SOMETHING on them. Don’t leave them bare – that’s what will make it seem like you just moved into your apartment.

• When putting items together think “Rule of Three” – your accessories will look balanced and fit together more nicely
• Use a tray to group your accessories
• Accessories that have multiple heights
• Greenery (succulent balls) are always fun – this will freshen up your space and give it life
• Books, all sizes – three books usually give you the proper height sometimes just two if they are large – You can place a plant, picture frame, or pottery

Be sure to look at your accessories or grouping of items from multiple angles to be sure they look good from any spot in the room.

Side Table Accessories

Portofino Luxury Apartments Community- Coffee Table Accessories

Now you can breathe – that wasn’t so bad! After these tips on how to make your apartment feel like home, you will have an amazing place to host wine nights, read a book or just hang out with your pup or loved ones. Whatever the occasion may be you will feel comfortable and enjoy your new home! Just remember that this is the fun part and you are starting a new journey. Enjoy your new apartment and if you ever need help or feel overwhelmed we are always here to help you!

Talk soon!!

Megan Parten

P.S. I am also on Instagram and Pinterest if you want to follow me!