Decorating My New Space
Moving somewhere new, however exciting, can be intimidating…
And part of this feeling might come from decorating and setting up your new digs. Let’s face it, decor isn’t a major priority for most younger people, usually because of cost. But it should be because coming home to somewhere you’re proud of is the best feeling ever, and I’m here to share that you can make a place super homey, trendy, and put together for way less money than you may think.
I moved to Colorado Springs, CO, in September 2018 and have be totally obsessed with putting together my little place. If you don’t know me, I love entertaining and having people over, so if that is important to you, liking your place is a must. Plus, your space can be an outlet to share your style and creativity. Let’s get into it!
breakfast bar // hanging shelves
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Choosing your Place
So you have to start with the basics. You can be the best decorator ever but if your don’t have a good space to work with, it’s going to be impossible to get the feel you want. These are the factors I focused on when selecting a place:
Floor Plan: Open concept, open concept, open concept! If you’re an HGTV-er, you know that having an open space makes it seem more spacious, bright, modern, and inviting. Typically, “open concept” means the kitchen, dining space, and living space are all combined.
Natural Light: For me, natural light is a must. It brings in warmth and happiness :)
Wood Floors: This is a personal preference, but I really hate carpet. Plus, you can always decorate a place with a chic area or throw rug.
Updated Appliances: I love stainless steel, modern appliances. Unfortunately, they are quite expensive. If you’re renting, look for updated kitchens! You’ll spend most of your time here.
reading lamp // floating shelf
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Choosing your Style
There are so many styles for interior design, but if you’re into what you’re seeing here, I’m going to highlight a few. Bottom line is: you have to know what you like and then stick to it. Of course you can mix styles (I do!) but to make it all “flow,” you should pick a general theme. These are my 4 styles:
Modern: straight lines, neutral colors, low-profile pieces, simple shapes.
Scandinavian: minimalist, whites/blacks/greys, clean, no clutter.
Bohemian: plants, patterns, wooden pieces,
Industrial: exposed wires, tube lighting, vaulted ceilings.
You can also look here for a better explanation of design styles!
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Where to Shop
Target: I love the Hearth & Hand Section by Chip & Joanna Gaines. They especially focus on the modern farmhouse style.
IKEA: I got so much of my furniture from IKEA. It is a Swedish company and thus has that Scandinavian theme through many of the products. It’s also a great place to go for inspo.
HomeGoods: Best for small pieces, mirrors, and rugs. It is so eclectic, you’ll have to make many trips to score!
Amazon: You’d be surprise what you can find on Amazon Home. I got the shelves above my island kitchen here and love them!
Wayfair: I got my peg leg desk, bed frame, and TV stand here for cheap! They have such a good selection for very cheap.
industrial light // new york city photos // collage kit
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Helpful Apps
Pinterest is obvious. But truly, it helps so much with inspo and pieces you really want to get! Find what catches your eye so you can better understand your style.
Houzz is an awesome app Drew showed me recently. I love it because you can filter by style, type of room, cost, etc. and then click on specific items in an inspo picture and buy right from there!
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Update: Fast forward to fall 2019 and I’m making my first move, this time into a house! Not only do I get to re-decorate, but we’re doing some renovation projects. Stay tuned for some before/afters on my Instagram!
