Making an apartment memorable with no money?

Question

I plan to move out of my parents' house in a couple years. But I'll most likily be working two jobs. I'm a very tidy, minimalistic, organized person so my apartment will reflect that. But that's not memorable. The Playboy Manison-that's memorable. How can you have a memorable apartment if you can't afford peacock infestation?

Actually I am a woman (a straight one). I'm just a wee bit over the top. I'm the type who is really into classy things like good manners and French Provincial furniture, then on the other hand I love those old sexy Prince songs.

Answer 1

If the apartment is a reflection of YOU, that will make it memorable.

Start now collecting things you will want. Not necessarily furniture -- unless you have a place to store it -- but things like art, lamps, a set of dishes, silverware, etc. Shop at thrift stores, flea markets and yard sales.

It will help if you have a style in mind. Do you like Traditional things or is Comtemorary more your style? Do you enjoy Urban Chic decor or, as you mentioned, the Over the Top style of the Playboy Mansion? (DON'T expect women to like that style!) Keep your style in mind when you shop and STICK to it.

However, not EVERYTHING has to be that style... For example, let's say you decide you want your apartment to be Contemporary. So almost everything you buy is modern, with clean lines and crisp colors. If then you see a painting, lamp, whatever, that is Urban Chic or Traditional that you REALLY love. Go ahead and get it, it will really stand out and make a statement about you.

Also, collections, when properly displayed, can show a LOT of personality. Were you into sports in school? Do you have some trophies? If you are proud of them, then display them! But put them all together in one place, don't scatter them all through the apartment. Collections need to be displayed AS a collection. Also, don't overdo it. If you have HUNDREDS of trophies, it will look too cluttered if you try to put them all out. Pick out your favorite dozen or so -- less, if the display space is small.

There are TONS of other ways to make an apartment memorable with little money. Buy some magazines!

Have fun!

Answer 2

Visit garage sales and thrift stores for some really good buys. Then check at Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, and other stores that carry home decorations. Check in their clearance section for great deals. Visit www.brylanehome.com. Sign up on their email list. They have really good deals and they are always having sales for 20-40% off and sometimes free shipping. Also, look in the classified section of your local newspaper. They list upcoming garage sales and also ads . for people selling stuff. I am alwasy finding good deals from ads placed by military people who are selling things either because of moving or deployment.

Answer 3

you can do it! Of course it may not be on the scale of Hughs place but it can be awesome in its own right! since you have time to plan just check out the home improvement shows on hgtv, and maybe some magazines. You may not have the apartment ou want the minute you move in, but with a couple of years to get your ideas together it wont take you long. Especially if you got any creative talent at all. Good luck!

Answer 4

You sound just like me. Here is what I did. I looked at garage sales, thrift stores and stuff. I collected small rocks from the beach, some sand, found a couple of cool pcs of drift wood. Some cool square glass vases, tall glass bottles and put sand in one, the rocks in the other.....found some cool boat and beach pictures at garage sales.....etc.

Answer 5

If you are allowed to paint, then that makes a huge difference in personalizing a space for very little money. or you could buy or make throw pillows as in in expensive way to dress up your bed or couch or whatever. One of the things I did in my condo was to take a bunch of my favorite photos, and get them put in black and white, lots of different sizes, then i got a bunch of cheap frames and painted them all black and made a photo gallery/collage wall. you can get a can of spray pait for a dollar and a cheap wood frame for a buck or two. Just put things you love into the space, and don't worry about it all coming together all at once, pace your spending and it will end up looking great.

Answer 6

It takes a while to accrue cool stuff. If you are a minimalist, do not collect junk, only quality stuff. It doesn't happen over night. Have a house warming party with friends and have them bring something cool for your apartment to give it character. Give a prize to the person who is voted to have made the best contribution. Good times.

Answer 7

You may not be able to afford the Peacock infestation....
But you can afford to paint a wall Peacock!
I enjoy seeing one wall painted an outstanding color!

Answer 8

We recently moved out of our partents house into an apartment and your best bet is garage sales! Believe it or not you can find some very interesting decor for very cheap! our entire house is furnished and decorated for about $100

Answer 9

Hit up some garage sales. You'd be amazed hwat you can find for your home there. Thats what me and my roommates did and we get complimented by our friends and, recently, by our landlord. We told him we got most of our things from garage sales, he was amazed!

Answer 10

be creative. make conversation pieces that no one else has. dig deep into your emotions. create pieces and an atmosphere that tells a story, that makes a statement about who you are as a person