Home of Your Own: Beautiful Design Ideas for Your New Pad

Whether you’re living alone for the first time or have recently returned to a single life, having a new place all your own can be a wonderful creative opportunity. Even with a very limited budget, you can add lots of simple touches to make your little "pad" into a real home.

Before You Begin

Take a good look around your new place. Notice the existing paint job or wallpaper, the carpets or flooring, the number of windows and the ceiling height. How many square feet do you have? Did any furniture come with the place, are you bringing your own or will you buy a few pieces? One really nice way to make a place uniquely yours is to paint the walls in your favorite colors. Be sure to get the landlord’s permission beforehand. Many owners welcome improvements they don’t have to pay for, but will want to okay them. If they won’t let you do any painting, try putting up wall hangings and posters. You can even use colorful bed sheets. Leave some areas blank and open so that it won’t look too closed in.

Do More With Less

To maximize space in a small apartment, tall furniture is better. Put out your favorite collectibles, but avoid cluttering with too many items. Display those that make you feel happy and content. Mirrors are a common trick to make a room look bigger. Some people remove the closet door and make the closet into another small room. Keep windows clean and let in as much light as possible. Natural light is good for you physically and emotionally. Get inexpensive crystal glass decorations and hang them from the ceiling to refract light and splash rainbows on your walls.

Unless you already have matching furniture from your previous existence, don’t worry about unity in decorating, at least at first. Find comfortable, well-made pieces at an antique store or thrift shop. You might end up with a mix of Early American, Mid-Century, Arts and Craft or Scandinavian styles. You can refinish or repaint them yourself. Matching slipcovers or throws are another option. Don’t forget about pillows and cushions. Likewise, dishware, lamps and rugs don’t have to match. Your space doesn’t have to look like an exquisite atrium on Pinterest. It just needs to look like you.

Hot Tubs

As you make your pad into a place where you can completely relax and unwind, your life will improve in many ways. A hot tub is a great way to remove anxiety and stress. It may seem like an expensive indulgence when you’re living on a budget, but you’ll save on medical expenses. Relaxing in a hot tub promotes sleep, the number one requirement for good health. Hot tub sessions can stop migraines, relieve joint and muscle aches and even lower blood sugar levels. When installing a hot tub, it’s best to have a look at a hot tub water guide for information about PH and water quality. Many apartment complexes now include a small hot tub or spa in their pool facilities. If yours doesn’t, ask your landlord’s permission to install an inflatable hot tub, one designed especially for apartments. They are fairly easy to maintain and the benefits are more than worth it.

Necessities

Marie Kondo’s ideas can be used when acquiring things for your new pad as well as deciding what to throw away. Aside from tools and necessities, her method has you decide to keep things based on whether they "spark joy". Your pad should create exactly that feeling for you. You want to come in and feel completely at home. Is it a place of rest, a cheery space for parties and friends, or an exciting world where you get things done — or all of those? It’s up to you.