As you graduate from college and transition to a more adult lifestyle, you’ll probably want your apartment to match. You may be entertaining clients and colleagues instead of fraternity brothers and find yourself dating, hopefully, more mature partners. When you try to see your college apartment through their eyes, the stolen-milk-crate nightstands in the bedroom and mismatched picnic furniture in the kitchen might seem a wee bit immature.
Don’t worry. There are a few simple things you can do to upgrade the look of your old apartment, even on a recent grad’s budget.
Living Room
The main entertaining space in the apartment, the living room should be comfortable, clean and inviting. Seating is important in this room, so take a long, hard look at your couch. Unfortunately, what happens on a college couch stays on a college couch—literally. While your rugby teammates didn’t mind sitting on cushions marked with evidence of Food Fight 2013, you might find older work friends choosing to stand.
The first, and most obvious solution to this problem is to buy a new couch, and thanks to the Internet, you can do this online, with relative ease. Websites like FurnitureToYourDoor.com or Ikea.com have a great selection and will see your new furniture delivered directly to your house.
If a brand-new couch is out of the question, shop for a gently used second-hand sofa. At the very least, make sure an old, abused couch is thoroughly cleaned and slipcovered. Consider using an ottoman in place of a coffee table, so it can be used for extra seating in a pinch, and remember that a fist-sized hole in the wall is not art. Don’t forget to accessorize with items such as:
- Framed photographs or paintings
- Lamps
- Draperies
- Catch-alls
- Plants
Bedroom
Now that you’re joining the working world, getting a good night’s sleep is more important than ever, and when it comes to impressing significant others, a grown-up bedroom goes a long way. The focal point of the room, obviously, is the bed. So, if you’re sleeping on a bare mattress on the floor or snoozing on an old futon, it’s time to upgrade. A real bed frame not only looks much nicer, but most designs also elevate your mattress to create extra storage space underneath. A nice headboard and footboard are the ultimate in grown-up bedroom furniture, but don’t worry if you can’t afford something fancy.
Paint, fabric and a little creativity can turn a basic piece, or even a plain sheet of plywood, into one-of-a-kind decorator furniture. Be sure that bedside tables and lamps match your more mature bed frame, and store clothes in a dresser or armoire instead of on the floor. Don’t forget curtains for privacy; they’re an inexpensive way to finish the room and are far more attractive than most apartments’ standard metal blinds.
Kitchen
If you currently take your meals at a beer pong table, you’ll want to upgrade your kitchen. Put the party games away and add a nice table and chairs instead. If you’re pressed for space, even a small breakfast table for two is a major step forward. Since you’ll find yourself serving fewer and fewer beverages in red plastic cups, you’ll also want to invest in some everyday glasses, silverware and dishes—the kind you actually wash and use again. Don’t forget stemware; your days of serving wine in mismatched coffee mugs are over. Your cabinets should be stocked with an inexpensive cookware set, and don’t forget these other essentials:
- Cutting board
- Colander
- Serving pieces
- Mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
Don’t be frustrated if it takes a little time for your college apartment to catch up with your new, grown-up lifestyle. With a little effort and some creativity, your living space will soon match your post-college life.
