So you have recently moved into your new apartment and now comes the time to fill it up with all the right pieces. Maybe not. Maybe you have been living there for a long time, but want to make sure you have all the right stuff.
Well whatever the case, you may need a little help out on knowing what exactly to get for what room. We will start with the most communal place in the apartment, the living room. There are a number of elements that you will need to put together that go beyond the obvious. Follow this checklist and you should be good to go.
Couch- Let's start with the obvious. You'll need a couch. Comfort is as important as style when picking out a bad boy like this. You could make a visit to a furniture store or if you are working on a tight budget, check around and see if you can find a hand-me-down that is in good shape.
Coffee Table- Unless you want to litter your apartment with TV stands and store your drinks on the floor, you will need a coffee table. Even though Grandma always said to take your feet off of the coffee table...it makes a great footrest too.
Bookshelf- You will need a bookshelf. Whether you are using it to store and display books, DVD's, or picture frames a bookshelf is a simple storage necessity.
Desk- If you have a computer or are going to need a work area, I would suggest picking up a desk that can sit in the corner and not take up too much space. Be sure and get a desk lamp with this for added lighting. Lighting is a big deal.
Desk Chair- Often overlooked initially, but what any apartment living room with a desk shouldn't be without is the desk chair. If you are in school or work from home, be sure and get a comfortable chair because you will be spending much time in it.
Floor Lamps- You'll also want to get a floor lamp to help out with lighting. This will sit in one of the corners of the room, but should be accessible so that you can turn it on or off.
TV and TV Stand- I know there are still people out there who do not already have a TV, so you will need to be sure to have one now. It completes the living room and serves as the centerpiece rather you watch it or not! It seems like every year flat screens like LED, OLED, LCD and the like get more and more affordable, so be sure to check out all the deals online and at your big box superstores to find the best one. In an apartment, you'll probably want to avoid mounting the TV on the wall (because it may not be allowed), so a great looking TV stand can serve as the holder for the TV and center of the room.
Rug and Throw Pillows- Adding a rug on top of the carpet will really give a homey feel as well as add decoration, color, and flair to the apartment. Adding matching throw pillows to the couch and/or chairs will also help in creating that decorated flavor!
Window Treatments- While most apartments will come stocked with blinds, you may want to add additional window coverage by setting yourself up with curtains.
So those are the basics beyond the basics for what you will need in your living room. Beyond that comes the accessories like photos, paintings, etc. Get going right now on your living room because next up, you are going to need to have a checklist for furnishing the bedroom too!
