When I signed the lease for my first apartment, I immediately dreaded finding furniture small enough to fit [1] inside. At just 760 square feet, this little one-bedroom box did not have "so much room for activities." No, when my boyfriend and I took measurements of the space, we were not feeling like Brennan and Dale in Step Brothers, that's for sure. I actually felt myself gulp [2] when I looked at my closet.
Even still, we loved the sleek, modern appliances and the marble counter top. We were beyond stoked to choose our bedding, the curtains — the things we'd have to have! We went on a hunt to find some really gorgeous pieces that came at the right size, and especially, price [3]. (Though I will say, I do think it's OK to splurge on at least one or two items you really love.)
Decor is also super important to me, and I believe that a home should reflect personality, so I kept our quirks and our hobbies in mind while shopping. I even discovered a handful of fashion brands with home lines [4] that I never knew about. Read on to see what was worth buying, and how we organised [5] and displayed everything once we were settled. Keep that credit card handy, too, because I'm about to show you some really cute stuff.
The Living Room
As soon as I found this beach print of Riomaggiore on Urban Outfitters [6], I knew I wanted to centre our living room around it. My boyfriend and I love the ocean, but it's also on our bucket list to take a Mediterranean holiday together and visit the beaches in Italy. This was the start to the whole scene, and we collected affordable essentials around it, like our coffee table from Overstock [7] and shag rug from HomeGoods [8].
Coffee Table
We loved that this black and white coffee table came with trays, since our apartment isn't exactly big enough to fit a table. On one, I displayed some old shells I had collected over the years, and on the other, an adorable set of coasters and candles from Kate Spade [9].
Coffee Table Books
I had a bunch of coffee table books at home, but I wanted to mix in my boyfriend's hobbies, too. If your guy loves the Yankees, this commemorative Derek Jeter book [10] is one of my favourites. I think I even enjoy flipping through it as much as my fashion-focussed ones.
The TV Wall
We found a TV stand from Walmart that came with a built-in mount! That was a major save, since it costs even more money to buy mounting materials. Since this is where my boyfriend plays video games and watches ESPN, I thought it would be cool for him to frame his keepsakes from golf tournaments he's attended over the years. I bought a mini blanket ladder on Etsy to keep things balanced on the right side of the TV, and I found that wicker planter at a garage sale for just $10!
Bar Stools
Nope, we don't have a dinner table or frankly any room for one, and that's OK. Since we didn't have to buy a full dining set, I thought it was important to search for bar stools that were not only comfortable — we'd always be eating at the counter! — but also the perfect height. This proved to be a challenge, but I lucked out at Kohl's [11].
Kitchen
I found hand soap and dish washing soap dispensers I loved at HomeGoods [12], and if you couldn't tell, I like lemons and bright pops of colour. I completed my set at TJMaxx [13] with this adorable ceramic canister (we keep our sugar packets in there). The curtains across the way let the light in when the sun is setting. Those are from Anthropologie [14], and they also remind me of the beach, which is why I knew I had to have them.
Stove Top
Originally, we bought this circular frame at ModCloth [15] to hang in the bedroom. I printed out black and white photos of those who remind of us most of home — our friends and family. When we couldn't find the right place for it, we decided to hang it by our wine rack and stove, which is where the best homecooked meals start, so it seemed fitting.
Entryway Furniture
Believe it or not, we don't have a hall closet! Oh, the horror. But we ended up searching on Amazon [16] for hooks and storage space, and this piece was only $139! It was the perfect place for me to set my handmade wooden conch shell that I picked up at a market in Haiti when I was on holiday with my boyfriend's family. We throw our keys there as soon as we walk in the door.
Bedroom
I wanted to work with a navy blue and dusty rose colour scheme in the bedroom. I'm not sure why, but The Breakfast Club movie poster popped right into my head when I was pinning bedding ideas on Pinterest. It ties our decor together in here, and I got it for a great price on eBay [17], then found a wooden frame on Etsy [18]. I fell in love with a splurge-worthy Donna Karan Home [19] duvet, and I'm big on texture, so I added even more velvet with the help of totally affordable throw pillows from Forever 21 [20] and H&M [21]!
Dressers
We scored our dressers on Wayfair [22]. The furniture set is really nice, it's affordable, and it plays up the rustic vibes in the bedroom. My Andy Warhol prints are treasures I've kept forever. They go wherever I go. My boyfriend and I have an inside joke about how I am very bad at geography even though I love to travel, so I bought him a globe at HomeGoods [23]. There are similar ones you can shop at Anthropologie [24] in three different shades that I love.
Bathroom
If you don't already know about the home collection at Urban Outfitters [25], you're missing out. My favourite essentials from the site include the bedding and the shower curtains, which are quirky and cute. This fresh print combined the blue and pink colour scheme and oceanic vibes all over our apartment.
Bonus: Closet Hack
To create more space in my closet, I put my shoe rack above the bar, where there's actually tons of storage space. And here's a handy tip: you can buy wooden rods at Home Depot to install them however you like and create more hanging space. The second bar, which travels from back to front, wasn't there when we moved in!
Pro Tip: Shop on Facebook
Know anyone who's moving? If you take a scroll through Facebook, you can easily find people selling furniture in the Marketplace. We came across a family friend who was giving away knickknacks and awesome furniture, this metal liquor table included. Scroll to see which fruit is etched into the surface.
Pineapples!