Moving into your own apartment for the first time can be exciting, yet challenging.

(A big “thank you” to our friends at Bouclair’s Blog for sponsoring this post!)

If you’ve been living in a sprawling home with your parents, a much smaller space, tiny patio, and the lack of garage storage space will likely require a lot of adjustment.

However, it is still possible to have room for your personal belongings without living in a cluttered filled home—you just need to implement the right strategies.

There are several things you can do to maximize your space inside your apartment and even on your tiny patio.

Below are some suggestions on how to make your first apartment feel like home. You can also check out design tips and trick from stylists at Bouclair’s blog for more insights and ideas.

Take Your Time

You might feel tempted to furnish and decorate your first apartment all at once. There is no need to rush. You will be better off taking your time and planning before jumping in and rushing out to immediately buy everything. Talk to family and friends to see if they have furniture they aren’t using and can help you out in your new home. Even if what is offered to you is not something you would choose to buy, you can use it until you have the money to buy something you like better.

The role planning plays when working in a small space with a small budget cannot be overstated. The axiom measure twice, cut once reminds us to be careful at first in order to avoid extra work later. You’ll avoid costly mistakes when you start slowly and plan carefully.

Even though you might want to be able to design your apartment with brand new furniture, if you have budgetary constraints, consider painting hand-me-down furniture or yard sale finds. Also, check out used furniture available at estate sales and consignment stores. Even when buying used make sure anything you purchase will last. It is better to spend a little more money for a quality item than spend less money now but have to replace it in the near future.

Keep It Simple

The phrase “less is more” applies to many things including how you furnish your apartment. Too much or oversized furniture in a small space can be overwhelming. If you look at design blogs you will see that many design experts create attractive rooms might with only a few pieces of furniture. Carefully select a few accessories like art, plants, rugs, and window treatments to make your apartment feel more like home.

Find Creative Storage Options

Storage is often a problem in small apartments. Storage beds used to be like the unstylish orthopedic shoe of the design world. Thankfully, today you can find modern attractive storage beds in various colors and designs. A storage bed turns the usually wasted space under your bed into drawers and can be used in lieu of a dresser if your bedroom is too small.

Shop for Bargains

Keep your eyes open for online sales. You can sign up for email updates so that online stores will let you know about upcoming sales. Some online retailers like Wayfair, Amazon, and Overstock generally have good prices and often have sales. Make sure you do compare prices to make sure you are getting the best deal.

And here’s an advanced bargain hunting tip: some online sites will offer you an additional discount if you add something to your cart but don’t complete your purchase. You can try various sites to see if that will work by creating and account and providing your email address.

Decorating your first apartment should be fun and exciting opportunity to display your own personal style. We’d love to hear about your challenges and successes! Comment below.