The 5 Ingredients of an Adult Apartment, According to People Who’ve Seen Hundreds of Them

It’s a fact that turning a house into a cohesive home isn’t something that happens overnight. Often, it takes many years and iterations! But if you walk around your apartment and think, “This looks like I’m still figuring some stuff out,” more than “a grown-up lives here,” I’m here to help. There are a handful of easy things you can do to make your home feel a little more put-together—even if you are not there yet in your day-to-day (or even if you are!). To pinpoint these moves, I asked real estate agents—who have seen many apartment from renters of all ages in all different life stages—what they think makes an apartment appear more adult than juvenile. Here, the five things they say the most sophisticated homes all have in common:

“It’s not enough to throw some mini-blinds up and keep out the glare with a bed sheet. A home truly looks complete when the windows are appropriately dressed. Try sheer curtains as a bottom layer topped with a heavier material for the top layer to create a cozy feel. Or just hang lightweight linen curtains for a bright airy vibe.” —Sarah McKinney, a Realtor at Sellstate Elite Realty in Colorado Springs, Colorado

“This means matching body, face, and hand towels, especially if you have guests coming over. White is the go to color in hospitality because it’s easy to match different brands and stains can easily be bleached.” —Stevie Rangel, a real estate agent at Compass in Los Angeles, California

“I’m suggesting a real bed with a mattress, pillows and a comforter instead of a futon. Oh, and a couch instead of a bean bag chair!” —Josalyn Cano, a realtor at HomeSmart Fine Properties in Houston, Texas

“Artwork should either be on canvas or professionally framed. I always suggest looking for large scale art unless you are creating a gallery wall.” —Melissa Zavala, a real estate agent at Broadpoint Properties in San Diego, California

“There’s no easier way to elevate the sophistication level of a home than by adding live indoor plants in sleekly-designed planters. The addition of indoor plants not only brings a level of maturity to your decor, but also makes your space instantly post-worthy.” —Joanne Ludwick, a Realtor at Team Ludwick at Compass in Los Angeles

Add all of these things and still feel like your apartment hasn’t matured? It may be time to hide some of these items.

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