We've created this guide to explain everything you'll need to move into your new home. We've also created handy lists of household items for each room so you can print them out or use them on your phone at the home improvement store so you don't forget anything.
In this guide:
- How to arrange housing depending on its type?
- How to furnish secondary housing?
- What to do after moving to a new apartment?
- List of things for the kitchen after moving
- What do you need in the living room for a new apartment?
- Checklist for the bedroom
- Bathroom Essentials
- Other items needed in the apartment after moving
- How to save money when furnishing a new apartment?
- How to make a new apartment cozy?
Buying your first home (be it a house or an apartment) is a unique experience. You have found a suitable option, discussed all the issues with the seller, and - hurray! – the keys are in your hand! What now?
Now you need to start arranging your new home. But where to start? First of all, don't panic. We've created this guide to explain everything you'll need to move into your new home. We've also created handy lists of household items for each room so you can print them out and take them with you to the home improvement store so you don't forget anything.
And, if you find yourself short on money, we also have tips on how to cheaply settle down after moving to a new place and make the most of the items you already have.
Features of choosing furniture
This is the first question you need to answer when you're racking your brains over which furniture set to add to your home.
- Are you going to have a small workspace in your living room?
- Then you will need office furniture (chairs and table). Do you want a cozy and calm living room?
- Choose soft fabrics and furniture in warm colors. Do you want to create that aesthetically pleasing picture of a living room that you saw in catalogs?
If so, you might like to arrange the options in these apartment furniture photos to create what you saw before.
By and large, what you need will go a long way in helping you decide on the type of furniture to include in your home.
boho
Boho will be appreciated by creative people, because the main feature of this style is the feeling of disorder. Mountains of pillows, bright lamps, figurines on the table. It's important not to overdo it and turn your home into a crazy storage area!
Boho style rules
- A combination of the incongruous. A chandelier in the form of a candlestick, a wicker mat and a modern rug with a geometric pattern easily coexist in one room.
- A riot of colors. Purple walls, pink ceiling, emerald sofa, printed pillows. The main thing is to pay attention to the compatibility of shades.
- Abundance of decor. Stacks of books with bright covers, a patchwork bedspread, colored china - there should be a lot of everything.
- Ethno. Objects from different parts of the world will fit perfectly into a boho interior: bright dishes from Portugal, a carved lamp from Morocco, a handmade carpet from India.
Boho is a style that attracts a lot of attention. Therefore, you can quickly get tired of it. To understand whether such a crazy interior suits you, try living in it for a short time.
Ulyana Petrukhina
Take it for a test drive. You can find an apartment on Avito with an interior and functionality similar to what you want, rent it and understand whether you are comfortable in such a space with this red accent wall and zebra print.
Find an apartment on Avito
Design solutions
Every interior designer will tell you that different people have their own unique theme. And this theme is reflected in the design of their houses. Are you a person of diverse styles? Do you like to combine different colors to create something elegant and sparkling?
If so, it might be better to choose furniture that can be mixed and matched. So instead of buying a living room chair that only has one color, you can have a combination of several colors.
Credit programs
This method is rarely considered as savings, but in vain. If you don't have enough money at the moment to buy the furniture you need, you can reluctantly choose cheaper options. But dissatisfaction with the furnishings will accumulate and, as a result, at the first opportunity you will change it, essentially paying for two sets of furniture. And when buying on credit, your home will immediately be filled with stylish and comfortable interior items, and paying commissions will not affect the family budget as much as completely replacing furniture.
The following two ways to save money when furnishing an apartment are not suitable for everyone. You must be confident in your taste, the ability to select non-trivial options, and quickly change previously conceived furnishing designs. In this case, everything will really work, and the interior will not turn into a kitschy collection of dissimilar parts. These methods of saving money also have other disadvantages that you need to be aware of.
Choose vertical shelving
Floor space is a valuable commodity in a small apartment, which means you'll want your pantry to expand. When considering storage ideas for small spaces, items that utilize vertical space can also make your ceilings appear taller.
Choose tall, narrow bookcases instead of short, wide ones. Using a tall, stately shelving unit will free up more floor space than a regular long chest of drawers.
Other items needed in the apartment after moving
Every home should have a first aid kit, as well as equipment for safety, self-repair and laundry. Here are the main components of this property.
First aid
Safety
Tools for repair
Even if you're not a DIY-er, there are certain things that will make life easier if a little problem arises in your new apartment. Here is a list of the most common tools needed after moving to a new apartment:
Laundry and cleaning products
Look for furniture with built-in storage
You won't have much room for extra chests, cabinets and shelves in a small apartment, so it's a good idea to invest in furniture with built-in storage.
For example, you can store extra linens and clothes in a storage bed, and the ideal ottoman can serve as additional seating, area, and storage all in one!
An example of creating design and interior in small rooms
The smaller the room, the more effort it takes to furnish it. In addition to your own preferences, you should also take into account rationality and ergonomics. After all, they will allow you to make the most of every square meter. And in small rooms this is really important.
A small room should not have a lot of furniture - only everything you need
To make it easier to navigate how you can organize small apartments with maximum comfort, you should look at the examples given below.
Photo wallpapers with perspective help make a room visually more spacious.
Interior of a small living room with a dedicated workplace
Cozy living room with panoramic window
Choose foldable furniture
When you're looking for furniture for a one-room apartment, pay close attention to anything that has descriptors like "nesting" or "expandability" - transformable furniture in an apartment is your friend!
- Cutting tables can provide extra space in a modern apartment when needed, and hide them away when not.
- Use the extendable dining table as a work desk during the week and extend it to create a spacious table for entertaining guests on the weekends.
- The best apartment ideas are based on one general principle: less can actually be more. Why fill a space with two pieces of furniture when one can do both? Instantly transform your living room into a guest room with a dual-purpose sofa bed.
The versatile bar table has many uses, from a dining table to a desk to a room divider!
Basic rules of modern style in the interior
Minimalism
Minimalism is the best friend of modern style. If there are armchairs, then they have thin legs and a laconic design, if there is a sofa, then it is modular. Instead of a traditional wall and sideboard, there are niches, narrow cabinets, racks and hanging shelves.
Expand to full screen Back 1 / 5 Forward
Where can I buy:
InMyRoom shelving unit (RUB 10,920), BasicDecor chair (RUB 44,990), modular sofa Divan.ru (RUB 89,950)
Neutral palette and bright accents
Modern style values calm colors: milky, beige, gray, black, brown. To make your apartment a cozy nest, place bright accents in the form of decor: posters and paintings, vases made of ceramics or metal and unusual dishes.
Expand to full screen Back 1 / 5 Forward
Where to find:
Decoraholic wine decanter (RUB 2,990), HomeAdore vase (RUB 5,180), poster on art paper DG-Home (RUB 20,000)
Unusual lamps
Lamps with smooth, simple lines and intricate shapes are simply created for a modern interior! The material can be anything: glass, wood or metal. Hang neon signs on the wall as an additional source of light. Yes, they are back in fashion and are no longer associated with roadside cafes of the 80s.
Expand to full screen Back 1 / 5 Forward
Where can I buy:
IKEA pendant lamp (RUB 3,299), Flix Neon neon sign (RUB 7,990)
Textured textiles
Modern style loves when the interior has a lot of different textiles. Fabric with a small pattern will look good in the upholstery of poufs and sofas, and a geometric pattern is what you need for decorative pillows.
Expand to full screen Back 1 / 5 Forward
Where to find:
pillowcase Perina Peroni (RUB 199), decorative pillow Fields (RUB 3,790)
Choose furniture that can divide the space into zones
Determining the ideal furniture arrangement for a studio apartment can be a daunting task. You may get stuck on how to divide a single space into a living room and bedroom or a dining room into a mini-office.
Using items such as bookshelves, coat racks, entertainment centers, or appropriately named room dividers can create the feel of a multi-room space.
What furniture will you need for the apartment?
Decorating your apartment requires more than just pretty decor. You are creating a new home that is entirely you. That means a new rug that reflects your favorite colors, a mattress that matches your sleep style, and accessories that show off your unique style.
We have compiled a furniture list for a small apartment with 10 essential items.
Sofa
If you want to save space, buy an apartment sofa. It's usually a little larger than a loveseat, but smaller than a full-size sofa and won't take up as much space if you're working with a smaller space.
- If you want a versatile approach, a sofa bed is also great for an apartment because it can be used as a sofa and an extra bed for guests when they stay overnight.
- Now that you have an apartment, you will have more friends and relatives.
- A sofa is a great seating option where you and your guests can spend time and feel comfortable.
Cozy doesn't mean expensive
The first thought that comes to mind when deciding on a new renovation is big expenses. And this is an erroneous statement. According to experienced designers, many people have a lot of unnecessary things in their living rooms.
If you want to change something, try first rearranging the furniture, changing the upholstery and hanging different curtains
You don’t have to spend money on expensive decor; you can make stylish decor yourself
A fireplace will add coziness to any room, even if it is decorative.
See alsoInterior design of an apartment in a modern style
Furniture
Most modern homeowners have televisions in every room, sometimes even in the bathroom. This is not necessary, for example, in the bedroom. It distracts the individual from long, full sleep. If possible, you can also remove wardrobes from this room, leaving only a chest of drawers with underwear.
Use the space under the bed for storage
To diversify the interior, allow different chairs to stand at the same table
Transparent furniture is an easy way to make a room visually larger
The same can be said about textiles. A large number of decorative pillows are also a thing of the past and have lost their relevance.
See also: Room furnishings
Textile selection
For several years now, it has not been fashionable to spend a lot of money on heavy curtains and lined bedspreads. It is better to purchase a light cape or fabric. You can also buy light, translucent curtains. Some owners decorate the window only with tulle. It will also be much easier to care for them.
Light curtains do not shade the room, which is especially important for rooms with windows facing north
In Scandinavian interiors it is customary to leave windows empty
See also Apartment interior design ideas
Guest bed
Now that you have an apartment, you may have guests who want to stay overnight. An excellent first piece of furniture in an apartment is a sleeping place or sofa bed.
This is an excellent universal product for those who want to save on the number of things they have in the apartment, but still have everything they need.
Mediterranean
Mediterranean style is filled with a feeling of serenity and calm. Being in an apartment with such an interior makes you feel like you are relaxing on the beach and watching the blue waves. An ideal option for those who love the south of Europe and dream of a house by the sea.
Mediterranean Style Rules
- Combination of white and blue. You can combine them in different ways: white walls and blue floor; wallpaper with blue and white patterns; white walls and blue furniture; blue walls and white furniture. The main thing is that these colors are present in the interior.
- Plants. Green leaves fit perfectly into the Mediterranean interior, adding even more freshness and a feeling of endless summer.
- Ropes. An ideal material for decoration: you can hang them on the walls or make a frame for a photo or mirror from rope.
- Wicker or forged furniture. For example, a rattan chair, a bamboo coffee table, a white wrought-iron chair.
- Marine elements. Blue and white striped towels, wooden fish figurines, a painting with an anchor, corals and generally everything that reminds you of a vacation in the south.
Chairs and accent chairs
Add a chair or armchair to complete your apartment. Additional seating is the first apartment furniture needed for any gatherings.
Whether you're hanging out with friends or heading out to relax, you'll have everything you need to unwind.
Coffee table or cocktail ottoman
A coffee table is a good centerpiece for your living room to hold remotes, drinks, magazines and decor. Depending on your space, you can choose the size and style to suit your needs.
Choose something small with only the essentials to maximize the space, or choose something larger that you can add a decorative centerpiece to add a personal touch to your space.
Modern artificial materials vs natural
Wooden furniture has status, but is more expensive than structures made from modern laminated chipboard and MDF, which practically do not differ in performance characteristics from wood, or even surpass them. In addition, manufacturers for whom their reputation is important use veneer of valuable species or melamine films with imitation of wood texture for cladding - even an experienced furniture maker cannot always distinguish such furniture from solid wood structures. The same situation is with upholstery - modern eco-leather does not look different from natural leather, but is much cheaper and easier to care for.
Bed frame
A headboard and footrest are not only the centerpiece of your bedroom, but also a good furniture option for a small apartment. No more pressing your head against the wall!
You can even use headboards for storage and platform beds with built-in drawers to maximize space in your bedroom.
Minimalism
The complete opposite of bright boho and chinoiserie. A very light and simple style that doesn't draw a lot of attention to itself.
Rules of the minimalist style
- Minimum color. Avoid bright accents: use white, black, gray and beige to decorate your space. You can add other colors to the interior, such as blue or green, but only in muted versions.
- Simple forms. Circles, rectangles and squares. The furniture should not be pretentious; it is advisable that it does not have protruding parts. For example, cabinets should ideally be built-in.
- Minimum decor. No unnecessary items, everything should be functional and simple.
- Light and plants. Minimalism doesn't mean you live in a white box. Green plants and spotlights, such as table lamps and candles, will help create coziness in the interior.
Ulyana Petrukhina
First of all, in living spaces, I pay attention to the temperature of the light, or, as it is also called, color temperature.
Light affects not only how the space as a whole is perceived, but also our mental state - how we calm down or, conversely, do not do it particularly successfully. Concentration is also often associated with the organization of lighting.
Bedroom Storage Furniture
You can purchase chests of drawers that complement your bed and style, or entire bedroom sets that match the design. You will also need bedside tables.
Whether you occupy one side of the bed or both, you'll need a nightstand that can hold a lamp, drinks, phone, and whatever else you like. Choose the one that matches your room or the one that matches your bed and dresser.
Desk and chair
We consider it one whole, because one is impossible without the other. Add a desk and chair to your apartment to create a beautiful workspace.
- It's difficult to spread out and work on the couch or at the counter, so a desk is a great option if you have a remote and focused space.
- If you need a desk that doesn't take up a lot of space, there are some great desks that are perfect for an apartment.
Online stores and salon chains
If the company does not pay for the rent of retail space, employee salaries and utilities, then such costs are not included in the price of the product. This is why online stores usually offer better prices. It’s good when the seller has a wide network of his own showrooms - by choosing the nearest one, you can significantly reduce the cost of delivery, or even use pickup at your own expense. The ideal option is if the company sells furniture both online and in its stores. In this case, prices are the same everywhere, and savings on delivery are maintained.
Library "Izota" from the Angstrem collection
TV Stand
Now that you have an apartment, you'll need a TV stand or console to organize your media space.
- This makes it much easier to store DVDs, remote controls, game stations, controllers, cables and wires in one place while maintaining a beautiful appearance.
- You'll need a tidy place to entertain guests, so a TV stand will definitely be the first piece of furniture you need in your apartment.
Kitchen set
You're probably used to eating on your bed, but those days are definitely over!
- Use a 5-piece dining set to host friends, or a smaller 3-piece dining set to save space.
- You will definitely love the table you can sit at. Planning to use your countertop? Bring 2-4 bar stools!
Choose fabrics and materials to suit your lifestyle
The last piece of advice is to be mindful of the materials from which you choose furniture. Prices for apartment furniture vary, but if you are a family with children, you should choose materials that, although a little more expensive, are easy to wash, durable and will stand the test of time.
A white sofa combined with pets and kids is a recipe for disaster. However, a microfiber sofa is a great option as it is extremely durable and washable.
Either way, analyze your needs and be sure to choose the option that best suits your budget and lifestyle.
How to save money when furnishing a new apartment?
Once you realize how many new items you need, the lists above may seem daunting. Despite the fact that you most likely spent all your money on buying an apartment. However, these items are necessary for the apartment to become a fully functioning home. But don't worry! Here are some tips on how to reduce costs while making the most of the space in your new apartment:
- consider purchasing copies of furniture that was presented in a showcase - such furniture will often be at a good price, and you will immediately see what it looks like;
- shop at online auctions. Auctions are a great place to purchase unusual furniture and other items that can become the centerpiece of your room. Try sites (for example, Avito, Yula) for unwanted or used goods. Sometimes they have bargain designer items, but always check with even a reputable seller;
- Look for sales at furniture stores, curtain stores, carpet stores, and home improvement stores (such as IKEA);
- Ask friends or family if they have extra items they don't need.
