The Ultimate First Apartment Decor for Cheap You Need

Buying decor for your first apartment can be EXPENSIVE! Especially since you are starting at square zero. If you are ready to move into your first apartment but not entirely sure what to bring with you from your parents place or buy from the store, you’ll feel right at home here! Learn where to find the ultimate first apartment decor for cheap.

This post is all about where to find the ultimate first apartment decor for cheap you need.

1. Shop sales

Never underestimate the power of a sale! Some of my favourite items I have got, just happened to be on sale. And when there is a really really good sale on, I can’t pass it up. Really, who would?

A few items I have bought lately on sale are from the following stores:

Michaels – Fake floral bushes from Michaels are so pretty! When I bought mine they were on a buy one, get one free sale. Worth it!! Initially I bought the floral bushes to use as center pieces for my parents 25th wedding anniversary party. At the party, I got numerous compliments on the flowers. Everyone was shocked at how pretty they were. Everyone thought they were real flowers. After the party, I repurposed the flowers and now use them as decorative arrangements on the counter in my bathroom and kitchen.

Walmart – Outdoor rug

Canadian tire – One of my best finds! I bought the Shark Rocket® Self-Cleaning Brushroll Corded Stick Vacuum. Regularly a $300+ vacuum. At the time when I bought it, it was on sale for $150.

Winners / Homesense (My most shopped store) – storage bins, indoor and outdoor pillows, towels, bowls, plates, cups, utensils, outdoor pots, vase, picture frames

2. Dollar store

The Dollar store can be a great place to find options on the cheap side. Throughout my place I have found and used storage bins, whiskey tumbler glasses, utensils, crystal rocks to place in vase, and vases all from the dollar store. Anything you can think of they probably have it.

3. Amazon

I have to admit, I am probably one of the last people to join Amazon. I only have just started using Amazon to buy a few things, but it is a great place to find decor and really anything you can think of.

4. Reusing & Repurposing

Reusing and repurposing is what I like to call being resourceful. Even if you are doing your best to keep a low budget, shop sales, etc. you still can end up spending a lot of money. Look around at items you have before moving out. Can you use it or change it slightly into something better?

5. Save up money ahead of time

Saving up money before moving into your first apartment is the smartest decision you can make. Putting a huge lump of your paycheck into your savings account is ideal but at times it can feel unrealistic. Even saving $25 to $50 a month can add up over time. Start saving as soon as you can! It’ll add up quick.

6. Have a budget

Saving up money ahead of moving out and having a budget go hand-in-hand. Like I said in my introduction, buying decor for your first apartment can be EXPENSIVE! Create a realistic budget for yourself. Don’t just look at it once. Keep periodically looking at your budget. This will help you make minor adjustments where needed, but also will keep yourself accountable.

Divide your budget up into categories (example: kitchen / bathroom / bedroom). You might surprise yourself and save in some categories. That’s a good thing! You can use the money you saved in that category and spend it elsewhere.

The easiest way to keep track of your budget is to plan out a goal budget and realistic budget. The difference between the two is this:

• Goal Budget – how much you want or anticipate to spend

• Realistic Budget / Budget Spent – how much of your budget you actually spent

The below is an example of how you might write it down: (these numbers are made up, but you get the point)

Buying cheap doesn’t mean that you have to settle for lesser quality. Look for decor items that still look pretty. Putting all of these together will result in pretty looking decor, but keeping it cheap so it doesn’t make your bank account cry. This blog post is all about cheap decor for your first apartment.