Moving into your first flat is one of those milestones in life you never forget. At last, a space of your own where you can relax and be yourself. One of the best things about having your own place is being able to choose how you furnish it. No more putting up with the lacklustre, style-free design schemes of landlords, now you have the freedom to arrange things just the way you want.
We all have different ideas about interior design and the styles and colours we choose may not always be to everyone’s taste – but guess what? It doesn’t matter any more, because this is your flat and you can furnish and decorate however you like!
Start at the beginning
Moving into a new flat is never going to be a cheap exercise, so chances are your budget will be under a bit of pressure at the beginning. Investing in high-end designer interior products might need to be put on the back burner until your finances have recovered a bit. That said, there are some essentials you will need to think about straightaway.
When it’s all totted up, years of our lives are spent in bed, so it makes sense to find a comfortable one. Measure the space available beforehand, including working out the specifics of how you are going to get such a bulky piece of furniture into the flat. If there are stairs, corridors, etc. to navigate, make sure the access angle is covered.
Sit down and relax
Relaxing after a hard day at work is made so much better when you have a comfy sofa. Find a couch or settee that delivers on style and comfort. Choose a neutral colour that is robust against the wear, tear and stains of everyday life. Slate grey is a shade that is very on-trend right now and ticks all the boxes where style and practicality is concerned. Teamed with bright contrasting cushions in scarlet and vivid greens and you have the beginnings of a fantastic interior design scheme.
Random moving tips
Accept all and any donations of furniture and accessories from generous friends or family members. You won’t have to keep them forever, but they could be useful temporary solutions while you get yourself sorted out. The eclectic interior design style is all the rage right now so if you are given miss-matched furniture, make a feature of it. Choose a favourite colour to bring harmony to rag-tag collections of household items, a lick of blue paint on a chest of drawers, a blue rug on the floor, some blue cushions, lampshades and picture frames – et voila!, you have an original scheme stamped with your personality! Moving into an empty flat means windows will require attention – measure for curtains, blinds or interior shutters so that your home really feels cosy, private and welcoming.
Furnishing your first flat is an enjoyable and exciting exercise. It won’t take long to get things looking just how you like them, and in the meantime, simply enjoy the journey and appreciate how far you’ve come.
Did you enjoy this article?
