Last updated on March 22nd, 2022 at 11:53 am
Going to college can mean an entire overhaul of your lifestyle. It involves dealing with many challenges, including feeling homesick, managing class schedules, and transforming your apartment into a cozy and comfortable living space. This may include everything from the beddings, furniture to a wall décor that reflects your lifestyle and personality.
And while many college students tend to think of trendy designs which may be costly, creativity may be all you need to create a transformative difference. You can repurpose existing items into decorative art pieces within your room without spending a dime. What matters the most is finding the right stuff for your decorations.
College Apartment Checklist for Guys
Setting up a college apartment for the first time can mean a lot. It feels like starting a whole new life altogether. You’ll need to get your bedroom, living room, kitchen, and bathroom together to make your apartment feel like home. Here is a simple checklist for guys’ apartments.
Living Room Essentials
- Living room furniture (coffee table, TV stand/media console, couch)
- Living room décor (wall art, area rug, accent pillows, throw blankets, plants, candles)
- Lighting
Bedroom Essentials
- Bedroom furniture (nightstand, bedframe, comfy chair, dresser, desk, boxspring)
- Mattress and bedding
- Window curtains or blinds
- Bedroom décor (posters, pillows, area rugs, tapestries, among other décorations)
- Lighting
- Mirror
- Storage bins/baskets
- Wastebaskets
- Underbed storage
- Hampers
- Clothe hangers
Kitchen Necessities
- Kitchen furniture (kitchen table, chairs, barstools)
- Dishware
- Kitchen tools and utensils
- Pots and pans
- Kitchen appliance (microwave, toaster, coffee pot, or kettle)
- Pantry basics
- Kitchen cleaning supplies
Bathroom Basics
- Shower curtain
- Shower curtain hooks
- Shower curtain liner
- Towels and bathmat
- Toilet paper
- Toilet paper holder
- Tissues
- Toiletries and storage
- Bathroom cleaning supplies
Miscellaneous Items
- First aid kit
- Small broom
- Dustpan
- Vacuum cleaner
- Basic toolkit (screwdriver, hammer, nails)
- Scissors, tape, pens, paper
- Extension cord, surge protector, and batteries
- Alarm clock
- Bike/lock/helmet
College Apartment Decorating Ideas on a Budget
College students operate on tight budgets. Setting aside enough money for apartment decoration, which includes buying some expensive items may not be easy. Still, it’s possible to give your apartment a professional look without denting your pocket. Here are some pocket-friendly ideas you can try out.
- Use Multi-purpose Furniture: A multi-purpose piece of furniture is created for small space living or a budget-conscious college student in mind. For instance, a futon is an ideal piece of furniture that’ll serve as a couch during the day and a bed at night. Others also provide storage beneath for small items such as magazines and a few textbooks.
- Throw rugs: Throw rugs come in different sizes, patterns, colors, and prices. You can use them on the floor and save the money you’d spend on expensive cleaning detergents for scrubbing a stained floor. Use larger throw rugs under your coffee table or beside the bed. Small-size throw rugs are great for high traffic areas such as doorways.
- Use a multi-level bookshelf: You can look smart and sophisticated with a beautiful display of your favorite books or even vinyl records on a multi-level corner shelf. A bigger bookshelf—three or four-tier in your bedroom can be useful in storing folded clothing, hats, or shoes. They are cheaper than a dresser or drawers yet so stylish.
How to Decorate College Apartment Living Room
Some modern college apartments come fully furnished, while others require your input to make them lively. Regardless, you’ll still need to add some decorations and tweak your furniture and other items’ arrangements to match your taste. Here are useful ideas you can use to decorate your college apartment living room.
- Create floating shelves at the corners
- Pick a TV console that can store multiple things
- Opt for small and portable coffee tables
- Use a wall mirror to create an impression of a larger room
- Use wall frames or cube shelves to decorate empty spaces
- Use different lightings to create a calming ambience
- Create a cozy corner with a bean bag
- Bring fluffy little things such as slides and cushions
College Apartment Bedroom Ideas
Your bedroom is the most comfortable place to relax and recharge after a long day of grinding. You can make it feel more comfortable and inviting with a few décor upgrades such as tasteful accessories, smart furniture, and soothing paint colors. Below are college bedroom apartment ideas you can apply.
- Incorporate a fun color combo such as white and pink
- Bring in some greenery to add some freshness and a touch of life in the room
- Save space by using a dresser as your side table
- Keep things such as the book you’re currently reading on your bed
- Bring in a giant mirror for a bigger and cleaner look
- Go all white if you love white colors
- Add hanging string lights on the ceiling or around the wall for a dreamy feel
- Match your decoration colors with the pillows
- Incorporate a sitting area if you have enough space
College Apartment Wall Décor
Wall décor has many options. Choosing the right one for your room can be overwhelming for a college guy trying to make a statement of their personality through art and choice of colors. But once you know your style, it becomes fun as everything starts falling to their rightful place without any struggle. Here are a few wall décor ideas to inspire you.
- Use large-scale art: An oversized photograph or piece of art commands attention and makes the room look lively if you use the right colors.
- Showcase a fabric: A wall hanging or tapestry adds a sense of softness and some pop of pattern and style in a neutral space. You can match it with other items within the room to enhance the look.
- Hang mirrors: Mirrors reflect light and make a small room look bigger. Position them well but do not crowd the entire wall with mirrors.
- Hang an oversized calendar: This is best placed in a kitchen. It enlightens your space besides helping you keep track of important things such as your diet menu.
- Mount your TV: This is a great way to free up cabinet space. Besides, some flatscreen televisions are designed to look like a piece of wall art when they’re turned off.