6 Tips for Decorating Post-Move

By Ashley Paskill on April 19, 2021

Whether you are moving out for the first time or are simply moving to a new apartment or house, figuring out how to decorate in your new place can be difficult. The furniture and décor may not all fit in the new place. If you have roommates, you will have to figure out how to work together to find decorations that you all like, especially for the common areas of your space.

Take measurements first

It is tempting to go out and buy new decorations as soon as you make plans to move, but this is not a wise move. Take measurements of your new space and try to visualize how the decorations will look in your new space. That way, you are not wasting any money on decorations you do not have the space for and can figure out what works. You will also want to buy items that look good together and work in terms of themes and size.

Work together with roommates

If you and potential roommates are moving together and like what you already have, see if you can make it work in your new space. You will have to figure out what works for your combined stuff and see how you want to decorate. There will most likely not be enough for all of each roommates’ decorations for the shared spaces, so you will have to decide on a theme and see what you have that works. Otherwise, you will have to put stuff in storage and buy decorations to fit your decided theme. It is important that you all come to a consensus on how you want to decorate since this space is your home. Coming home after a long day to a space that is not decorated how you or someone else you live with like can cause a lot of issues, so make sure to compromise when needed.

Decide what you want vs. need

There may be items that you want to bring into the space, but things that are essentials are more important than luxury or wanted items. You will need furniture, storage, and a workspace. These items may double as décor items, but items that are luxuries are things like a television. When taking measurements, make sure to visualize what kinds of items you need and how they will fit in your space. In the space you have left, you can add things you want. Discuss what you feel are essentials with your roommate(s) so you can be on the same page.

You may also decide to move into a furnished apartment. While you may not be able to decide what furniture you get and these may be higher in rent than other places, you will not have to deal with setting things up and making sure you have the space you need. If you decide to go this route, beware that you may have more liabilities for things like damaged furniture and the quality of the furniture may not be great.

Avoid overcrowding the room

Going back to measuring, when selecting decorations, do not overcrowd the room. You will need to have enough space to walk around your rooms, especially common areas where multiple people need to get around without bumping into each other. This is essential if you plan on having people over frequently. When considering what furniture you are going to get, try to visualize or even map out how it will look on paper so you can see how it will fit and how much space you will have to move around.

Image: Nathan Fertig via https://unsplash.com/photos/FBXuXp57eM0

Know what is and is not allowed

While moving into a rented house or apartment has more freedom for decorating than the dorms, you will likely still have some restrictions. For example, you might not be able to paint the walls or use nails to hang decorations. Check with your landlord to see what you are able to do so that you avoid getting in trouble or having to pay a fee to repair damage. If you are not allowed to paint your walls, you can use artwork to help add some extra color to your walls.

Buy on a budget

As a college student, you have a limited budget to work with, especially when you take into consideration the costs of moving and rent. When buying decorations, look at local thrift stores to help stay on budget. Thrift stores tend to be lower cost because the items were used before. You may also decide to look online for used decorations. However, when buying used items online, you may not be able to get an accurate picture of the item, so it may be damaged. This is where buying in-person may be an advantage. You may also decide to sell anything you no longer want or need in order to have money to buy other decorations that fit your place.

Moving can be a challenge, but knowing how to decorate can help ease some of the burdens you may be feeling.

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