How to Make Any Apartment Instantly Feel Like Home

If there’s a version of nesting that doesn’t involve you being pregnant, I’m experiencing it. I have lived in an apartment for the last 7 years, ever since I was a sophomore in college and basically just never put any effort into decorating them. Recently, however, I’ve found myself wanting to decorate the apartment more and make it really feel like a home. Mind you, I’ve lived in my current apartment for a year almost now and until a week ago, had yet to put anything on the walls.

In college, when I first started going to therapy, my therapist discovered that I have an issue with feeling like I have a home. Somewhere along the line, I stopped feeling like anything was actually “my home” in the traditional sense of the word. As backwards as it sounds, I think this is part of the reason I don’t make my apartments feel like home since apartments by nature are temporary. Anyways, if you’re feeling the same way, especially now that the Holiday season is upon us, here are a few things I’ve done recently to make my little apartment feel more like a home!

Print and frame your favorite pictures

One of the simplest things you can do to make an apartment feel a little more homey is by filling it with pictures. These can be pictures of you and your friends or loved ones, places you’ve been or want to travel to, whatever your heart desires. The very first thing I do whenever I move is to make sure all of my picture frames are put out. In fact, the last time I moved I DIY’d a bunch from the Dollar Store and you can find these scattered throughout the apartment. An easy way to do this on a budget is to pick up a cute frame each time you’re out at Marshall’s or TJ MAXX. Not only are these frames a great price but they’re usually pretty high quality which is an added bonus. I’m going to mention Walgreens a lot in this post (even though it’s not sponsored) because it’s really one of the easiest and most cost effective places to get your favorite pictures printed. You can even pick them up same day!

Create a gallery wall

I was totally inspired recently by the Hearth and Hand shelves from the Magnolia collection at Target that I created a gallery wall in the apartment (after living here for almost a year). Doing this gallery wall only took Justin and I an evening to complete and I’ve had so much fun adding knick knacks and mementos to it since. I chose three of our engagement pictures that coordinated in order to give the overall room a more cohesive vibe. I got the canvases done at Walgreens and was so impressed with the quality. They even came in cute gift boxes, perfect for holiday gifting! I filled the shelves with a tobacco scented candle Justin found at Marshall’s, some old books from my late grandmother’s collection, and this light up C marque letter we’re using for wedding decor. What I love the most about having a gallery wall that includes shelves is that it’s so easy to switch out the decor for the season.

Invest in a high quality mattress and bedding

I know that you’re thinking this one is a little far out there but here me out. Nothing says home to me more than a super comfy bed. Start with a great mattress and work up from there. You can have the coziest bedding available but that means nothing if you’re mattress sucks. My bed is my favorite place to be in the entire apartment so I often find myself adding new throw pillows or blankets to it. Sinking into a bed you love at the end of a long day in your apartment really gets those homey vibes going.

Throw a dinner party with friends

My favorite thing to do, especially when I’m feeling like the apartment isn’t really home, is to plan a party or game night with friends. Filling an apartment with memories and laughter instantly makes it feel more like home to me. I love to whip up some snacks or maybe even a loaf of zucchini bread and pull out the board games, even if it’s just Justin and I. I can’t wait to have a bigger space where we can regularly have our friends over for dinner.