Your first apartment

The new year often brings change, especially for young people moving out of the family home. Here’s a quick guide for making your first apartment feel like home.

Whether you plan on living alone or with housemates, be prepared – your first apartment will most likely be a small one. That’s why it pays to plan ahead. Figure out in advance what you can’t do without, such as essential furniture, cookware and linen.

Furniture

Think bare essentials here. A refrigerator, good comfortable chair for studying, couch or beanbag for lounging, dresser; a bed, of course, or perhaps a futon. If the apartment has an eat-in benchtop, you might not need a table or desk at first. Shelves and baskets can act both as decoration and to store books, clothes or other items.

If you need to buy furniture, consider markets, online swap-and-sell groups, Salvos or garage sales. Don’t underestimate screens, which can add a decorative touch as well as providing somewhere to hide mess when unexpected visitors turn up at your door.

Cookware

Yes, you are going to have to cook sometimes – life’s going to become very expensive, otherwise. To start with, invest in a good cast-iron skillet, a sharp knife, a couple of saucepans and a baking dish or pan for roasting. Ask your family for spares, or scour Vinnies for plates, mugs, cutlery and some basic cooking utensils.

Decorating

Plants and floor rugs play a big role in turning a bare room into a cosy space. Spend a few hours checking out neighbourhood garage sales, as people often decide they can’t take plants with them – but unless you know you’ll remember to water them, restrict your purchases to a few large ones. Ficus and Mother-in-Laws-Tongue are great choices, as they clear the air and don’t require a lot of maintenance.

Finding and fixing up your first apartment can be both fun and a personal statement. Give it a go.