Looking for an affordable way to style your apartment entry? The entryway is the first impression of your home, so it needs to be sexy! During my time in college I often struggled finding ways to decorate my apartment without looking like a generic college IKEA haul.
After some trial and error I came up with a composition that seemed to work well for our needs (my roommate and I). Consider these tips for styling a sophisticated and low-cost entry without looking tacky.
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1. ASSESS THE SPACE AND YOUR NEEDS
The first thing I did was assess the space constraints and our needs. The entry was mostly a long and narrow hallway, so we had to consider a narrow piece of furniture. The kitchen was also just to the right. Our kitchen lacked storage so, we needed more space to put our things. We also needed a place to catch our keys and such.
2. FIND AN AFFORDABLE FURNITURE PIECE
One of the rules I set myself was to avoid IKEA furniture at all possible during college. Mostly because I feared falling in the generic college decor trap. After much research I decided to buy the BRIMNES Cabinet from IKEA (oops) for three reasons. 1) It only costs $80. 2) It comes in a matte black. 3) It was 16″ deep… narrow enough for the hallway!
3. ACCESSORIZE WITH NATURAL ELEMENTS
Incorporating natural elements places good energy from the moment you enter your home. I picked up these awesome trays from my Hawaii vacation and layered them with a nice serving tray. Don’t forget a fresh candle, nothing too overpowering, to greet you everyday. Skip your cup of coffee one day and pick up some eucalyptus. Fresh eucalyptus always sets the mood with the neutral tone and delicious scent. They usually last me 2 weeks. TIP: get your fresh greens from Trader Joe’s for only $2.99!
Some of my favorites:
4. DON’T BE AFRAID TO DIY
Don’t be afraid to put in your personality! Pair your new treasures with items that have a connection to you. Don't get so fixated on finding exactly what you see online and layer items that are unique to you. Even if it might not always be conventional. I DIY’ed this starburst mirror for under $15. It took some work but it was well worth it. The vintage brass color gives it a high quality feel. I must admit my mirror selection was not the best choice from a functional perspective. It was tiny and too high, but it represented me and was a great conversation starter at the front entry.
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