Turn Your Memphis Apartment into a “Pad”
Sep 25th, 2007 by Memphis Apartments
You have a Memphis apartment. But do you have a home. Do you have a place you call your own? Do you, in fact, have a “pad”? Whether you are male or female, this is the place your friends hang out. You can easily turn your Memphis apartment into your home.
Before you get started, set a budget. You do not need loads of greenbacks to update your Memphis apartment. Decide how much you want to spend and then stick to that. Now take a tour of your Memphis apartment. Yes, you have lived there for a while. But when was the last time you looked at it? Know what space you have to work with.
You are probably working with limited space since you are in a Memphis apartment. With that in mind, start with a color scheme. One. This will make your Memphis apartment appear larger than it really is. Choose a light color. Dark colors make spaces seem smaller. You do not have to go neutral, just light. Use this color throughout your Memphis apartment. If you decide on a darker color for your walls, make sure this is permissible in your lease. If you are not sure, ask your landlord.
Now comes the fun part. Add personality to the Memphis apartment. Your personality. Select paintings and other wall hangings that interest you. Place photographs strategically throughout your pad. Black and white photographs are great accents. Have your favorite photographs framed and hang them on the walls. Photographs are great for hallway walls.
Use sheer curtains throughout to lighten up your Memphis apartment. You can use night blinds if you need absolute darkness to sleep. But during the day, let the light in. Add decorative pillows to your couch. Do not forget floor pillows. Your friends will love them, especially those that like sitting on the floor. Area rugs add a nice splash of color to rooms, especially the living room.
You do not need to spend much money on furniture. Visit your local Goodwill store or Salvation Army for good used furniture. Check your local paper for estate sales. These are great places to pick up contemporary or antique furniture at significantly reduced costs. Consider dual-purpose furniture such as a sofa bed. This will help maximize space.
Place books on topics that interest you on your living room coffee table or end tables. Include a few in your dining room. You can stack large books in a corner and place a plant on top. Books are great conversation pieces. Using decorative bookends to display books on top of your entertainment center or kitchen hutch.
Add character to your bedroom. Hang an interesting piece of art over the headboard to your bed. Get an interesting bedside lamp. Your bedroom is a great place for your favorite photographs. If you have room, a small bookcase can hold your photographs, books, trophies, or other special belongings. Keep your clothing out of sight, either in dressers or the closet.
Plants are great additions to any room. Container plants are perfect for Memphis apartments. If you are not interested in taking care of plants, do not shy away from artificial plants. Fake ferns are wonderful. Fake is all right. Cheap is not. Plastic floors are a no-no. Always buy silk flowers if you have to buy artificial. Tall plants, or small trees, are great in corners.
Do not spend your excessive money on things to impress others. Buy things that are important to you. Your Memphis apartment will be your home, your pad, when it reflects your personality. Your friends will come over because they feel comfortable in your home. They feel comfortable because you make it comfortable.