apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

When I started living on my own, I really found it hard to keep the place tidy. Friends would suggest going back to mine but I would put them off coming if I knew that my place was a mess. I realised that this was hampering my social life, so I started to keep the place tidy at all times. Living on your own can sometimes be lonely, so it's nice to have friends over a few times a week.

Surround yourself with furniture and accessories you actually want to live with. As renters, we're all tempted to settle for inexpensive or free furnishings we may not be crazy about because they'll be easier to dispose of "when we move." But in the meantime, you have to see those items every day. Don't be afraid to invest in things you really love even if it means you will have to pack them or load them up one day. Knowing you'll get to find a special place for them in your next home is part of the fun. :)

Good point DipDipDive--I was actually just thinking this last night--I've been out on my own over 10 years now, and I bought some stuff just to fill the space that I STILL have and I was thinking "I wish I'd just saved my money and bought what I really liked"

I agree with most of the tips, except for the one about flowers. Having fresh flowers on a regular basis is a luxury for most people. A few houseplants will serve the same canary in the coal mine function and are much less of an expense in the long run.

I agree with slowdown about having house plants. It is very satisfying to keep something alive and watch it grow under your care.

That said, I also like to have fresh flowers around.

Put things on the walls! Framing is generally expensive, but you can get 50-60% off custom framing coupons. Stores like Joann's, Hancock Fabrics, AC Moore, and Michaels will accept competitor coupons often, so you only need a coupon from one store! I did most of my framing of 8x10 travel pictures myself. I just waited until there was a 50% frame sale at AC Moore and then stocked up. The savings were well worth the wait.

Also, while I waited to get real art that I loved and could afford, I filled the wall space with paper from Paper Source.

I just moved into my first apartment this week, and since I'm far from home I've been feeling a little down, so these are especially wonderful tips to me!

I'd add to get to know your new area for both comfort and safety; if you are coming home to a dark house or apartment building, know the best streets to take or what restaurants/shops stay open late if you get locked out/have car trouble etc. Getting to know that neighborhood bar or coffee shop to pop out to when you are just not in the mood to be home alone is a plus.

Finding YOUR favorite cafe, grocery, park bench, corner of the world makes living alone less isolating and more fun.

I love keeping flowers, but not cause they're pretty. They actually help me realize when things are getting messy again. So if they're dead, and I haven't replaced them yet, it's a bit of a wake up call!

great tips. :)

I am in my second year (and second apartment) living on my own. I love having fresh flowers around and pick up a pretty vase every now and then to switch out the ones I've had out for awhile

I just moved out of my first solo apartment (and first apartment in general) two weeks ago. I enjoyed living solo the entire time (2 years). I got to decorate exactly how I wanted to, and I didn't have to worry about inconveniencing anyone else with my schedule or habits. The downside that I noticed for the last 6 months or so that I was there was that I tended to let the messes pile up to the point where I wouldn't let people come in, or if they did I'd be so distracted worrying about the mess that I wasn't enjoying their company. I just moved into a house with a roommate, and knowing that there's someone else who has to deal with my mess is making me keep things neater. I'm keeping up with most of the little things, but I'm already starting to miss the privacy. I moved to save money, and when I reach my goal in about a year, I'll definitely be ready to jump back into having a place to myself.

Don't buy what you think you SHOULD have. Buy only what you actually want. This applies to furniture, groceries, everything. Enjoy the autonomy.

Paint the walls if you're able to. It's the easiest and fastest way to make your place suit your style and feel like home. I just painted my apartment after being here for a year - I wish I had done it sooner!

Fresh flowers aren't always a huge luxury, and they offer a huge incentive to keep things tidy. (Why put a pretty arrangement on the dining table if it's covered in mail and other stuff?)

This past week I bought two giant bunches of gladiolas at the grocery store--for $5. They are still alive and gorgeous, 8 days later. Farmer's markets also often have inexpensive bunches of wildflowers (ours are usually $3). You don't have to go to a florist! But houseplants are a great idea too, if you can keep them alive...

it may sound strange, but subscribing to various magazines has really helped me settle into my apartment. coming home from work and finding my favorite magazines, with my name on them, in the mail box is a great feeling. I guess it solidifies that the place is really all mine.

having a pet (or 2) to take care of is great and keeps me from blowing money to get out of the house (i.e. on drinks, eating out, movies, etc.). i have to walk my pups a lot & run into people doing so, which is a plus. they even keep me from vegging and watching tv too much.

otherwise i might have moved back into the parents place to save $ but i'm a bit too old for that. and we'd hate each other after a day :)

I'm still in my first apartment, and I find that I'm actually more inspired to keep it clean because I live alone and there is no one to mess it up (except for me ;p) Some silly things that make being alone more bearable:

- Get a dog/fish/something to come home to
- Luxoriate in being able to sleep, get up and play music whenever you want. In fact, on weekends I just wallow in bed til noon and count my blessings that my mother isn't going to barge in the door, vaccuum cleaner in hand ;p
- Make sure you are on a very forgiving phone plan. I called everyone heaps "just to say hi" when I first moved out.

Regarding the safety thing, I live in a pretty dodgy neighborhood. It's the red light district in Sydney and though it's open 24/7 and there are always lots of people around, it tends to be where everyone comes to drink, take drugs and party. I have a habit of waving/nodding to all the shopkeepers and bouncers, so that even if I don't spend money there, they know who I am and would be more inclined to step in if there is any trouble.

Fresh flowers are such a waste of money when you can have real flowers/plants growing. Plus they require upkeep which many people are entertained by.

I agree completely with DipDipDive. I've lived on my own for five years. I started out with cheap and free furnishings originally thinking that I didn't want to hassle with moving nicer pieces, etc.

In the past year and a half, I've been replacing the cheap and free pieces with nicer furniture - things I want, and it's made a huge difference. My place is very small, and I used to think that I'd get nicer furniture when I moved into a bigger place. The nicer furniture actually makes me want to stay where I am because my space, however is small is more enjoyable.

Even in a small studio, decide on zones of 'personal space' versus 'public space'. I find that when I live alone it helps the rhythm of my day when I'm able to move through different spaces for different tasks. Even something as simple as curtaining off the bed area so that you can't see it while brewing your morning coffee can really help a small apartment feel like a home.