Decorating Your First Apartment: From Moving In to Making It Your Own

by Paige Gilchrist

Congratulations! You've finally found a place to call your own. Now you have to turn it into a real home--and that takes both practical and creative smarts. From hanging shelves to choosing colors, these eminently doable projects, sensible how-tos, and marvelous photos are exactly what new apartment dwellers need. See how to make a simple floor plan and figure out what goes where. Spruce up with basics on everything from painting walls to refinishing furniture. Go straight to the "cheat sheets" for instant information on essential purchases. And because first apartments often aren't perfect, take a tip on turning existing decorating features into designs that work for separate a large room into two smaller spaces with a hanging divider. Make your own curtain rods, or decorate old ones with finials. With dozens of inventive ideas for lighting, furniture, accessories, and storage, even the most creatively challenged can decorate in no time!

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Design

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Hardly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good ideas, you just have to actually read. The pictures don't do the book any justice

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is definitely for someone who's never rented before. Gives advice on how/where to clean (?), how to pick an apartment, different ways to decorate one, etc. I will admittedly try one or two of the decorating suggestions, but for the most part they were...um, pretty tacky. :)

[Cimorene · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Basic book with photos that are not my decorating style. Good tips on fixing drains (boiling water monthly, then 1c baking soda+3c boiling water to unclog), hanging pictures (trace frames onto paper). Lots of projects - painting, curtains, shelving, etc.”

[Laura Haske · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book so much I bought it for my sister when she moved into her first apartment. It was the first time I learned about creating a scaled floor-plan and attempting various furniture arrangements using scaled furniture cut outs.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offered a lot of ways to make your apartment snazzy and to cover up any boring or yucky features you can't change. I can't do half the stuff in this book, but I bet most people can.

[Troy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it! Got some ideas for the crib, as well as enjoying the breadth of projects. SOme stuff was simple, some not so much, but overall I enjoyed the scope of their suggestions.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found in laundry room and skimmed. Most of it is geared toward the young and clueless, but there were a couple easy projects I might consider doing if I'm able to find the motivation.

[Corinnagoodwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

not my style, the pictures are not how I would decorate at all but the book is realy very informational and has tons of tips and tricks that it turns out to be worth a read.