Posted by tstevens | Posted in Design Ideas, Green Ideas for Your Home | Posted on 08-06-2010
FREEDOM! Is that the first word that comes to mind when you open the door to your first place? It was my first word, followed by a tummy-turning acid stomach that felt bad for feeling so good.
This Mini-Series of posts is dedicated to all of you first-timers dying on the vine for ideas to make your first place as comfortable as possible without moving back in with your parents.
Many of us move in our few possessions and wonder where to start. Think about your place and where you think you will spend most of your awake time. For a majority of us, that would be your living/dining area.
In your living room, pick a paint palate (if you are renting, check with your landlord first to avoid paying $$ when you move out) that is neutral to work with most everything you will likely add to it. Mauves, topes, beiges, light sage greens, or light yellows all work. If you can’t paint, there are other wall solutions available, such as hanging blown up photographs, paintings, or other artwork. Think about your walls as a blank canvass and display these pieces like a museum might.
Next look at the flooring. Quick fixes for any problem areas are colorful rugs. Pick a rug that corresponds to your wall color, or if your walls are bright white, choose a colorful rug that has the colors you WOULD like to have in your room.
Peek-a-boo, I see you! If you dont’ want your neighbors to see your every move, window coverings are a must. Shades are typically used, but if you want to bring in more design, choose panels that bring in added color. If you are looking for a comfortable space, choose like colors. If you are looking for more drama, pick contrasting colors.
Finally, where are you going to sit? If you are lucky enough to move in with one, great. If not, consider buying a comfortable futon (can double as a guest bed for those nights you want to have friends stay the night). Or watch for sales at your local furniture store! You might start out on camp chairs, but this will get old fast, so really consider buying a decent piece of furniture. It doesn’t have to last forever, but it should be able to last awhile. If you have some furniture, but it doesn’t match, consider re-upholstering it for a unified look! Don’t know how? That’s ok, there are books and people out there who do it all the time, and chances are it costs less for them to do it than for you to buy new.