The way you decorate your apartment is a reflection of who you are—your likes, your interests, your sense of style, etc.. And as you grow older, you undergo changes in your life and your personality.
What you thought of as cool decor in your early twenties may not translate to what you like now. So are you ready to put together a more age-appropriate apartment? Then check out these five simple hacks.
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Get some frames
If you’re a real adult, it’s time to stop scotch taping your posters to the wall and instead buy some frames. Using frames will give the posters and artwork you decide to put up around your apartment a much more refined look.
This is an easy way to make your apartment look more adult without breaking the bank. Although high-end frames can be very expensive, you can easily find cheap frames, too. Just do some searching online or visit your local Target and you’ll be able to find some affordable basic frames.
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Invest in stylish furniture
As a younger person who just started living in your own place, you probably weren’t too picky about the furniture you put in your apartment. You likely either took hand-me-down pieces from friends and family, or sought out some of the cheapest pieces you could find.
But, in order to take your apartment to the next level, you should invest in a few pieces of stylish furniture. This doesn’t mean you have to throw money away on frivolous pieces you’ll never use—instead, get a stylish piece of furniture that has a great deal of utility as well.
Bookshelves, a curio cabinet and coffee tables with built-in drawers can provide you with some much needed extra storage and dress up the room at the same time.
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Pick up a few plants
Plants are more than just pretty, sometimes even fragrant, accessories for your apartment. They also spark a sense of life in the room.
Bringing in a live plant makes a room feel less sterile, and provides it with a powerful sense of vitality. Some studies even suggest that having a houseplant can improve your mood and reduce your stress and anxiety levels.
If you’re getting your first houseplant, you might want to start with something simple and easy to care for. Pothos plants are a popular low-maintenance choice, as well as succulents, which generally do very well indoors.
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Keep a tidy bathroom
A clean and well-organized bathroom is a wonderful thing to have. Some people might even say it’s a cornerstone of true adulthood. And taking care of your bathroom has both hygienic and aesthetic benefits.
By cleaning your toilet, shower, and sink on a regular basis, you’ll eradicate germs, bacteria, and lingering viruses, as well as reduce the chances of toxic mold forming. In addition to that, you’ll have a bathroom that looks and smells nice. Nobody wants to walk into a bathroom covered with grime, old hair, toilet paper rolls, and trash—especially not houseguests.
In order to maintain your bathroom’s cleanliness, make sure to wash it with cleaning products on a regular basis and come up with an organization system for bathroom products. You might even consider installing a shelf or two in the bathroom for extra storage.
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Buy matching plates, glasses, and flatware
Ditch the plastic cups, flimsy flatware, and the plates of various sizes and colors. Stock your shelves and drawers with matching plates, glasses, and flatware.
Get enough so that you’re not just washing the same set for every meal. You might even want to buy a set large enough to throw a dinner party or entertain guests if you have people over often.
In any case, you don’t need to go overboard and spend big bucks on kitchen utensils and other items, but you don’t want to go too cheap either. Think of it this way, how often do you really buy plates, glasses, utensils, and so on? Remember that you’re making an investment. So find functional sets within your budget that you like and purchase those.
Putting together a more grown up apartment won’t just be visually appealing. Your living space has a definite impact on your mindset. Building a more mature space for yourself will make you feel like a true adult, thus helping you actually become one.
