Decorating Your First Memphis Apartment
Sep 26th, 2007 by Memphis Apartments
One of the great things about Memphis apartment living is the decorating. Because of the limited space you have, you have to be creative. And that is always fun! Creative does not have to mean expensive. In fact, use these money saving tips to furnish and decorate your first Memphis apartment.
Do not even think about painting the walls. Go with the neutral color scheme since it allows more flexibility in your overall decorating. You do not need to try to coordinate furniture patterns with wall colors. Neutral is great for your first Memphis apartment. You will be able to easily change your furniture color schemes without having to worry about wall color.
Let your friends and family know you are getting ready to lease your first Memphis apartment. Ask them if they have any furniture they do not use or just want to get rid of. Furniture will be one of your largest expenses. Second-hand furniture in good condition will last you until you have saved the money you need to buy new furniture. If the furniture does not match, consider coordinating furniture covers which you can purchase inexpensively at any department store. You can find used furniture in the classified section of your local newspaper. Garage sales are also great for furniture hunting.
Bookcases are great organizers and displays. If you cannot get them from family or friends, visit a second-hand store such as Goodwill. They always have furniture. You might have to plan a couple of visits to find what you need. Some discount stores also have great deals on furniture. Keep in mind these stores do not always provide delivery service.
Do not spend money on fancy wall hangings. You can use posters you already have and purchase inexpensive frames in which to place them. If you do not like posters, visit estate sales, antique stores, or flea markets and look for pictures. You can always reframe pictures you find. If you like the picture frame but hate the picture, then keep the frame and find a new picture.
Photographs and knick-knack are great accent pieces. Do not clutter your Memphis apartment with knick-knacks. Place a few in your living room and perhaps your bedroom. Leave as much wall space as possible. This will make your rooms appear larger.
Indoor plants are great additions to your overall decorating. If you do not want the hassle of caring for live plants, purchase silk flowers. You can add a fern to a corner in your living room. A small plant in your dining room gives it a nice touch.
Still do not think you have enough color in your rooms? Add area rugs to your living room and dining room. Discount stores have large area rugs for as low as $25. You can also purchase rug sets for your bathroom. Purchase colorful throws for your living room and bedroom. Decorative pillows are great accent pieces. All of these items can be purchased for less than $20 each if you shop smart.
Visit a discount store to purchase your kitchenware. You can get boxed sets of pots and pans, dining ware, and utensils. These are relatively inexpensive and you may only need one set of each to start with. If you decide you need more, ask your friends and family to purchase you these items for your birthday or other special occasion.
Once you have settled in to your Memphis apartment, consider hosting a “house” warming party. Your guests will ask in advance what you can use or need. Have a list prepared to give them. This is a fun way to get the extra items for your Memphis apartment without having to spend money.