Megan303's Profile

Hand soap and a towel in the "essentials" box-- nothing grosser than that post-move grimy feeling.

Also: command hooks, hammer and nails, screwdriver, trash bags, and a good all-purpose cleaner. Everything else you can sort out as it comes.

I just got the "stop throwing your money away" talk from my dad, who doesn't understand how I could love a 225 sq ft apartment... I posted pictures online, proud of how I'd decorated, and got concerns about the size. To which I say: It's my half-kitchen, my tiny living room, my life! And I love my cozy little house.

You have to do what suits your house and your lifestyle! I live in a tiny studio and was pained to give up my table, thinking I'd continue to have dinner parties. I haven't, due more to time than to space, but when I finally get around to hosting, here's my plan: I've got my couch, and 2 loose chairs floating around. I also have two large, flat-folding side tables in an obnoxious shade of pink. When company calls, I'll seat half on the couch and half on the chairs, and spread the tables open in the middle.

In the meantime, I eat meals at my desk and don't trip over a table I don't have room for.

I lived in a room just big enough for a twin bed and a desk, end-to-end, when I was in college. My closet was in the hallway, which was major annoying as my roommates were guys!

My first city apartment was HUGE-- except for my bedroom, which was so small I could reach my computer (on the desk) from my bed without getting up.

Now I live in a studio, but I purposefully got a long one and divided it with a large shelf so that I have a separate "bedroom" area for bed and dresser, and a "living room" for couch and desk. Much happier arrangement! I couldn't sleep in a room that felt so temporary as your pictured "bedroom" looks-- no offense! It's just my brain.

@ reddylee-- LOL!

I aspire to be a once-a-month person... really it's more like "whenever I feel like gutting and remaking my bed", which is to say... not often.

But working 50+ hours a week, living alone, and owning one set of sheets will do that to you! I just bought a second set and am aiming to change them every two weeks.

I can't make too many alterations at my apartment, either (alright, I'm just too lazy to commit to painting it back), so I decorated simply.

In the kitchen, I used stick-on command hooks to hang a few pretty dishtowels at varying heights; I also got a bright rug in a similar color scheme. I think the advice to stick with teal/blue is good, and you could mix in yellow/gold etc for flavor. Maybe curtains above that window and a few objects that you're fond of (a special bowl, a vase of flowers, etc) on the counter for personality. I set out a pair of interesting mugs on top of my microwave and it made a big difference.

For the bathroom, same advice: Set the color tone with the shower curtain, which takes up so much room that you can really change the bathroom with it. Maybe something simple and classic, given the amount of pattern on those tiles. Fluffy, indulgent rug; artful stack o' towels; a command hook here or there-- you're in business!

Good luck!