Find the Right Place for You
Before moving into your perfect apartment, you first need to find it! Fortunately, searching for affordable apartments in your area is easy, and you can quickly determine which one fits both your needs and your budget. For instance, in Austin, there are still apartments available starting at just $479 a month.
Clean the Space Thoroughly
There is nothing like sprucing up your new place with a deep cleaning and removing any residual remnants from the last apartment dwellers. Trulia recommends starting the cleaning process at the top and working your way down, wiping off crown molding, ceiling fan blades, light fixtures, and anything else above your head.
Go from the farthest point of each room toward the door, and make sure you catch inside closets and cupboard spaces. Scrub inside appliances and make your floors shine. You can rent a shampooer for carpeted areas, and invest in an appropriate vacuum for your apartment, one that’s designed for a smaller space.
Another suggestion is to purchase an air purifier, which can improve air quality by reducing allergens and pollutants while also muffling noise from other apartments and from traffic.
Unpack Your Things
If you’re still surrounded by boxes, it’s time to finish unpacking. Try tackling one room at a time, starting with the ones you use most often. Unpacking items from your previous home can bring a sense of comfort to your new apartment. Elite Daily suggests that a few childhood mementos can evoke warm memories and help you feel settled in right away.
Place family photos where you’ll see them often, and add something sentimental like a stuffed animal or scrapbook. If some boxes will stay packed for a while, consider storing them out of sight. Keeping them in a closet or storage area can help you feel more organized and at home.
Add Your Personal Touch
Depending on the guidelines in your lease, you probably have some limitations on how much you can change about your new apartment. While you might not be able to remove the mini-blinds, most places will let you hang some wall art and curtains. If your apartment didn’t come with window treatments, adding some provides your own flair to the space while also increasing privacy.
Another idea is to add versatile accessories such as throw pillows, area rugs, table lamps, and plants. Or, if the space isn’t as functional as it could be, consider some non-permanent changes to make your life easier and more organized, such as a coat rack or freestanding shelves.
Do a DIY
Is your rental an older building that looks a little tired? Just because you’re renting doesn’t mean you can’t do some DIY projects to breathe fresh life in your new place. Think in terms of solutions that you can remove easily or take with you when you go. For instance, add shelf liner in your kitchen cupboards to cover up old stains or outdated, glued-in liners, or install temporary acrylic wall art to camouflage settling cracks. Add a modern shade to an older chandelier. Updating with new items can bring eclectic charm to older buildings.
Rethink Patterns and Flow
Do your rooms not work with your furniture the way you thought they would? One suggestion is to think through what parts of your arrangement are making you uncomfortable. Does a particular area feel stiff or especially unsettled? That might be where you should focus your efforts. Many renters make the mistake of trying to arrange furniture in the same manner they used in a past location. If the traffic pattern or conversational groupings aren’t working and you just can’t get comfortable, try switching things up.
Add Paint
You had a feeling we’d circle back to paint, didn’t you? Most apartments come with white or off-white walls when you move in. While it’s not the worst way to live, it can feel a little uninspiring. We understand you might hesitate to paint a place that isn’t technically yours, but most landlords are open to you making the space feel like home. Just check your lease agreement and talk to them—chances are, they may have planned to paint when you move out anyway.
And it doesn’t have to be a huge project. You can paint the trim or certain features, or even tackle just one room or create an accent wall. After all, you spend a lot of time at home, so why not bring in a little color?
Your apartment may only be temporary, but with a few simple changes, it can feel like home. Clean thoroughly, unpack, add your personal touch, and take on a project or two. Before you know it, you’ll be settled in and ready to enjoy your new space!
Texas Painting Company is committed to excellence and our everyday goal is to meet every task with enthusiasm. We are here to take curb appeal to the next level. Contact us to get your free estimate today!