When moving into a new house or apartment, there are what seems like a million new things that fill your mind (and overwhelm you). Finding the right furniture pieces and figuring out the perfect way to decorate is perhaps the first thing on many people’s minds when making a big move.
Are you apartment hunting? Looking for the right furniture pieces to have for your first place? Here are the top five essential furniture items that you need to have in your apartment!
Essential Furniture – Sofa
Right behind a bed, a sofa is an essential furniture item you want to have in your new apartment. Sofas provide extra seating as well as a potential place for someone to crash after a lively party or during a weekend visit. Regardless if your apartment is spacious or more compact, having a sofa can help to tie together your space and give it a homey feeling. During a move, some are inclined to splurge on a durable sofa that will last years down the line, while others get a more affordable one. Just do whatever makes sense for your budget and timeline!
Essential Furniture – Eating area
Not every space is suitable to have a distinct dining room area. Given the amount of space that you have, creating a space to eat can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be the traditional kind that you are normally used to. Sharon Greenthal of the Spruce suggests, “If you are someone who likes to eat and watch TV, get a sturdy coffee table. Avoid glass-top tables, as they are hard to keep clean. If you have a counter where you can eat, grab a few barstools.” When you have a specific area to eat, you apartment will feel more cohesive and put together; something that is bound to impress guests!
Lighting
Having adequate lighting in your apartment is an absolute must. You don’t want to be rummaging through storage boxes and plastic containers relying on the daylight or with candlelight when nighttime falls. Lighting in a home is important, and you don’t have to spend a ton of money on expensive fixtures to properly light your space. Having a light in your common area, bedroom, and kitchen is essential, and you can go a number of different ways deciding the lighting that best suits your taste/apartment style. In an article by Carolyn Steber of Bustle, she comments on the importance of good lighting stating, “Do yourself a favor and do away with tiny plastic lamps, and those paper things you had in high school. Get something that makes a statement, and fills your space with light.”
Bed
One of the items you absolutely need for your new space is a bed. Because it is the most obvious furniture piece, it can be easily overlooked, but you don’t want to end up sleeping in a sleeping bag your first week of moving in! You can bring your bed from your old home or apartment or even take the extra step to invest in a new bed if you have the money. You don’t have to get anything super expensive, and regardless of what you do, just be sure you have something comfortable to lay your head-on when the day ends!
Dresser
Unless you wear the same two pieces of clothing everyday, you need some kind of dresser or clothing storage in your apartment. Some dressers can be large and bulky, so just look around to find one that fits the best in your place and makes sense. While some people opt for a traditional style dresser, others prefer clothing racks that can roll and be transferred from room to room easily. Clothing racks are a trendy and efficient way to store clothes while giving guests an idea of what your fashion taste is!
When moving into a new place, having access to the essentials right away makes the process easier as a whole. After you get these items, you can have the freedom to have fun and decorate your place as you wish!