Now that you’ve graduated and are moving into a new apartment, it’s time to upgrade your décor. After four long years of living in a dorm or off-campus apartment, your design skills might be close to none. You don’t want your new coworkers to sit on a beanbag chair when you have them over for dinner, do you? We’ve taken some of your undergrad decorating problems and given you post-grad solutions – it’s that easy.
Undergrad Problem: The Ubiquitous Bob Marley and/or Audrey Hepburn Poster
Post-grad Solution: Posters hung with Sticky Tack are perfectly acceptable on college campuses, but in the real world, they make you seem a little juvenile. Look into some actual art. We know, ‘art’ sounds expensive, but we’re not talking Picassos, we’re talking prints. Hit up your favorite museum stores for reproductions of your favorite artwork, and visit websites like 20×200 and Artspace for affordable prints as well. Or, try Etsy for some more unique finds — chances are, you can find whatever you’re into on Etsy, whether it’s typography (like this Etsy find) or a bear wearing a monocle.
Undergrad Problem: The Futon
Post-grad Solution: Once people leave college, they actually expect to sit comfortably. That means none of your friends want to sit on your hard, lumpy and probably stained futon anymore. It’s time to buy a couch – or at least a love seat. If that sounds a little pricey, now’s the time to bargain hunt. If you know anyone who’s redecorating or just getting rid of stuff, check in with them to see if maybe you can snag some furniture for free. Otherwise, check out secondhand stores, flea markets and discount furniture stores (don’t forget Ikea!). Great deals can also be found online, so be sure to check sites like Overstock.com for couches on the cheap. Anything that needs an update to the 21st century can always be reupholstered. Check out DIY Network for some great at-home tutorials for reupholstering your furniture.
Undergrad Problem: Red Solo Cups as Dishware
Post-grad Solution: Look, we know that Solo cups are good for just about anything – you can drink jungle juice out of them and eat cereal out of them. But once you’ve started a job and moved into an apartment, you really shouldn’t be using them as your main drinking vessel. Before you complain about breakables, consider this: You can buy chic, drinkware in dishwasher-safe, shatter-proof plastic. While acrylic is not made of real glass, it is a definite step up from the crayon-colored cups you’ve been using. And while you’re at it, start recycling. The lineup of empty liquor bottles might have looked cool in college, but now it just looks like you have a problem.
Looking for more design advice? Check out some of our favorite sites for inspiration.
Plus check out our First Apartment board on Pinterest
