Moving into a new place and getting to make it your own is so exciting, but can also feel overwhelming. Here are some simple ways to make your space feel more like home and a place you want to come back to every day!

1. Figure Out A Furniture Plan

When you move into your new place, figure out where you want your furniture to go. Before you start decorating, you’ll need to know where the big pieces will be and knowing how you’ll use a space plays a major role into where furniture goes. Do you love to entertain? Make sure you have lots of seating and space for guests.  If you love reading and having a little quiet corner, set up a cozy nook.

2. Lay Out Everything You Have

When we moved into our apartment, we had just gotten married so we had lots of decor and pieces we wanted to incorporate, but I didn’t want to just jump in. Rather than just putting frames up anywhere or randomly styling, pull out all of your decor items and place them on the floor so you know what you have to work with.

3. Group Decor Together

In order to bring cohesiveness to a room, group decor that goes well together. It doesn’t need to be matchy matchy, but it should have an overall vibe that goes with the look you’re wanting. Once you group items together, you can have more of a game plan where decor will go, whether that’s in the living room, office, or bedroom.

4. Add Personality

Apartments can feel impersonal and boring if you don’t bring in your own personality through decor. Hang some of your favorite pictures in frames on the wall or get a personalized calendar like in the photo below. Style a bookshelf with books that you’ve loved, add mementos from trips or vacations to shelves, and use furniture that you’ve made or art you’ve created.

5. Fill In The Gaps

Now what we’ve all been waiting for! It’s time to shop and fill in the gaps. By doing this last, you’ll only buy what you really need and spend way less money than just buying a bunch of decor right when you move in. After the furniture is placed, decor you already have on the walls and in the space, you can get a few more things to finish the look and finalize the space. Getting a nice throw blanket and some pillows can really make a difference in a room. I’ve found that thrift stores can have small furniture, frames, and decor items that are in good condition for a fraction of the cost.