Home is Where the Aesthetic is
We’re all broke here at Garb, and we know you are, too. As much we would like to live in the catalog of EB2 or West Elm, our budgets just can’t handle it. Lucky for you, here are some tips and tricks on how to turn your sad, overpriced apartment or dorm to the aesthetic home your friends can’t stop inviting themselves over to!
First and foremost, THE FURNITURE.
Nothing says basic like owning the same futon from Target everyone has because your parents bought it for you. Don’t get me wrong, I know how much we love our Target runs, but there are always other options when it comes to transforming your living space for the better. Furniture can be quite expensive, but the best deals can be found in IKEA or on Berkeley’s Free & For Sale Facebook page where you can find affordable and/or one-of-a-kind furniture! Although IKEA is a common spot for Berkeley students, there are ways you can make your apartment stand out from the rest. You can achieve this by following a color scheme of neutral earthy tones that resemble a vintage bohemian style or stick to only black and white furniture for a modern minimalistic look.
Both options have everything you could possibly need, ranging from couches and coffee tables to even full length mirrors and bookshelves(if you want to display all the textbooks you probably never read). You just gotta keep an eye out for pieces that reflect the style of your home. Meaning, if you live in open concept type of apartment, look for furniture that matches this theme, perhaps with texture and dimension that elevates the space it takes up.
Second, SMALL DECOR.
It is one thing to have subpar furniture, but it is quite another to have an apartment with no decorations. Doing so will just make your home feel as bland as Evans Hall. Some of my favorite places to find home decor includes Daiso, 99 cent/dollar stores, and thrift stores like Goodwill. You can easily find home decor at these locations that can add some character to your home! Even something simple like switching your plastic cups to aesthetic $1 Mason Jars or laying out your favorite candle or knick knack on the coffee table really goes a long way. Some personal decor favorites of mine include decorative pillows with a funny quote, antique vintage light bulbs that hang right above your dinner table, or a cork board that has colorful postcards from all over the world pinned to it.
As an added bonus, shopping at these low budget stores can even get you a great DIY project! Want a dope Urban Outfitters polaroid display that you can afford? Just take these white grids from Daiso, paint them the color of your choice, and clip on your favorite photos, stickers or sunglasses!
Third, PLANTS.
Adding plants to your apartment instantly brings a modern vibe that can make you feel right at home. Anyone can liven up a room by adding a pop of green from a hanging plant or a pop of pink from soft pink roses in a glass vase. Even the type of plant you incorporate in your apartment can bring out your unique flair; For example, if you want a hipster plant that requires little attention, I would stick to succulents in ceramic vases, but if you’re feeling a bit more sophisticated, a great idea could be a medium sized fiddle leaf tree to put in well lit corner. The best part is how affordable it is for us cheap college students! You can find all your plant/flower needs at the floral shops in Berkeley like Moe’s on Durant Ave and or even your favorite grocery store like Trader Joe’s. Prices can range anywhere from $3.99 for a bouquet to $15 for a longer lasting plant. Just make sure to take care of them or else they’ll be dead before dead week!
Fourth, PRINTS.
Sometimes people don’t realize the endless possibilities you have to cover the bare walls of your apartment or dorm. It can be original art pieces you drew yourself, movie or band posters you got from one of the music stores on Telegraph, or even prints you personally chose from Pinterest! All you have to do is download edgy or simplistic graphics for free and print them out on cardstock paper from your nearest copy shop like Zee Zee Copy. If you really want to go the extra mile, purchase aesthetic frames from your nearest craft store. This make your art pieces or prints look more put together and less adolescent.
Not feeling the typical wall filled with pictures or posters? Then try putting up your favorite quote using wall decals or choose a funky printed wallpaper that is bold and daring. Doing so will class up your home and add a touch of your personal style.
Fifth, A CLOTHING RACK.
It may not seem like it, but a clothing rack can really spice up the apartment while also serving as an extra closet for your surplus amount of clothes (I can’t be the only one with a shopping problem, right?) With nice looking hangers, like the packs of wooden ones sold at Ikea or the black velvet ones from the 99 cent store, you can display your most fashionable outerwear and shoes for all to see. Your friends will think your entire wardrobe is color coded and aesthetic even though it’s probably a mess (but hey, I’m not judging, so is mine!) Plus, it is convenient that your clothes are out in the open for you to grab; so the next time you’re running late for your 8 AM, your go-to jacket is ready whenever you are.
Hopefully after this, you can add character and originality to the place you live in without breaking the bank! Just make sure to look in the right places and to get creative with decorating. You have to come home at the end of each day, so might it as well make it the aesthetic humble abode you have always dreamed of.
Words by Kimberly Magat
Photos by Isha Patel