Whether you’re starting from scratch or just moving down the block, moving into a new place can be a long and expensive process. Not just because of the physical moving itself, but because decorating a home is a full-time job (I mean, there’s a reason rich people hire interior designers, right?). I recently moved to a new place a few months ago, and I feel like I’m still not even close to finished decorating my spot. So, I wanted to share some of the first purchases I made to make my new house feel more like a home without spending a ton of money.
1. Easy, affordable wall art
Decorating your new home’s walls is a daunting task. First off, art is expensive, and don’t even get me started on framing. Second, it’s hard to decide where to commit to hanging stuff when you haven’t even finalized your furniture configurations yet. In my last apartment, I kept putting off wall art until it was time to move out, and I didn’t wanna fall into that trap again. So, I bought a bunch of prints (and accompanying frames) from Desenio. I specifically selected pieces that I could see matching in multiple rooms of my house, so that they could be versatile (I currently have this YSL heel shadow art hanging in my vanity area, but I feel like it would look just as cute in my office or in a gallery wall in my living room). I also got some plain frames for framing sentimental stuff like concert tickets or personal photos. If you’re still stuck, Desenio has a feature on their site for designing your own gallery wall, which I think is pretty cool for people who are not very confident in their interior designing skills (like me). You can also add Picture Hooks ($4.95) to your order so you have everything you need to start hanging things up!
2. Throw rugs + carpets
LOCHAS Luxury Round Fluffy Area Rug, $22 via Amazon
I know that marble and hardwood floors are all the rage (and I love them too), but something about walking on a carpet just feels warmer and more home-like. I got a little shag rug from Typo for my bathroom and I swear it transformed the entire room. It looks like they don’t have anymore sold right now (which is sad because I can’t find any other rugs with text on them like mine), but I found a similar one style-wise on Amazon!
3. Something that smells good
Stone Candle Bar Smells Like Pumpkin Spice Reed Diffuser, $20 (USE CODE ASH10 for 10% off)
I can’t lie, I love the wood-y smell that comes with new homes, but if you’re moving into a non-new home, you’re going to want to clear the air and freshen it up with your own scent. Candles give great scent, plus warm up the room (both physically and visually), but I always forget to put them out. Instead, I tend to gravitate towards diffusers, like this one from Stone Candle Bar (they also sell room sprays). If you’re feeling extra fancy, you can try Pura, a subscription-based scent plug-in product that allows you to control the scent (including the strength of it) from your phone.
4. Decoration-worthy snacks + drinks
Kosterina Extra Virgin Olive Oil, $38.95 via Amazon
Everybody wants an organized kitchen, but a kitchen with no food in sight kind of looks like it’s in a showroom rather than a home. Purchase a cute fruit bowl and fill it with your favorite fruits and veggies for a nice pop of color. Or, selectively choose olive oil bottles, wine, tea boxes, and spice containers that fit your aesthetic and look nice on your counter. I currently have been using Kosterina olive oil and I love the way it doesn’t look out of place on my white kitchen counters.
5. Boudoir Organization Tools
JACKCUBE DESIGN Hanging Jewelry Organizer, $19 on Amazon
When you’re staying at a hotel for the weekend, what does your bathroom counter look like? If you’re like me, it’s probably covered with toiletry bags, skincare products, makeup, jewelry, and maybe even hair or eyelash extensions. You do not want your bathroom counter at home to feel like a hotel room, but the only way to avoid this is to organize! If your bathroom drawers and medicine cabinets aren’t cutting it for you, grab some basic shelves from Amazon for extra storage space. I also love this jewelry shelf from Amazon that’s perfect for hanging necklaces off of—plus you can store skincare products (or just cute stuff) up top for decor!
