Snagging your first apartment is an exciting milestone for any young adult. While apartment searching and packing were probably the most stressful parts of your experience, it’s time to start the fun: decorating! Your first apartment will be an official attempt to make a home on your own--and with way more space and rooms than a dorm. If you’re having a hard time deciding on a decorative direction to go in, look no further. 

Get ready to be inspired and excited to shop for the best decor for the most essential rooms of your apartment. Check out examples below of these charming decor styles to make your apartment feel like home: 

• Warm minimalist decor for chic, neutral-colored simplicity
• Cozy decor with softness and comfort
• Bohemian decor with bold prints and lively energy
  

Keep your apartment comfy and decluttered

Get the best of both worlds with warm minimalist decor-- while warm decor emphasizes having more, minimalism dictates having less.  Warm minimalist decor is perfect for a first college apartment due to its simplicity and comfiness. Neutral colors and functionality balanced by rich textures and comfortable design are vital to a warm minimalist style. Use decor to increase room style while minimizing clutter quantity. 

You can never go wrong with the palatable easiness of warm minimalist decor. Check out examples below of how you can capture the luxe minimalist look in the most central rooms of your apartment. 

Fresh and neutral bedroom by @peli_pecas

You can always play things safe with a simple, clean bedroom like this one. Not only is it visually appealing, it also gives a relaxing, uncluttered place to unwind after a long day of class. A neutral colored comforter with rich texture can make your bed look both chic and comfy. Muted colors can always be elevated with textures and patterns. Styling the simplistic bed with a clean yet bold rug balances between simple and complex in your room. 

And who said decor was only for decoration? Include decor that has functional uses with sleek, simple designs. A ladder is the perfect storage decor with its smooth, airy design coupled with its ability to hold many items. 

 Chic and simplistic living room by @withinwarmwalls

With your first college apartment being an upgrade from your dorm, go for decor that matches your upgrade into adulthood. Neutral colors accented with a bold pop of gold can give any living room a chic makeover. Rich textiles like woven blankets are ideal decor items to balance soft color. Simplistic art prints give the room a burst of graphics to contrast against solid neturals. Functional decor like tables can doubly be decorative with simple patterns and clean accents. 

Clean and Inspirational Office Space by @mojsrecnikutak

Your desk space doesn’t have to be as drab as the work you complete in it -- with simplistically designed decor, your space can be productive, comfy, and aesthetically-pleasing. Inspirational art can motivate you a lot without saying much, and it can give you the extra push through a late night of work while also being decorative. Keeping prints on your walls or desk can provide the perfect placement for words of encouragement. Plush throw pillows and cushioned chairs are your best companions during extensive study sessions, and clean-cut, simple designs included are a major plus. Soft neutral colors are also great for studying while keeping your brain focused and positive.

Cozy Apartment Decor

With the hectic class and work schedules for a typical student, having a cozy apartment to end your days in is a lifesaver. Give yourself somewhere inviting to take your shoes off and lay down. Softness, comfort, and layers are key components of any cozy apartment decor, and you can capture these elements in nearly every room. 

Decorate your apartment so that coming home to it becomes the highlight of every day. Get inspired by the examples below on how to make every corner of your apartment cozy. 

Comfy and nostalgic bedroom by @aimyscorner

The only downside to having a cozy bedroom is that you may never want to leave it. If this is a risk you’re up for, get inspired by the comfy room above. Layers of lush, soft blankets in warm, muted colors sprawled across the bed makes sleep the easiest part of your day. The plush accent pillows can give your head a cushy place to land while making the bed appear full and secure. Nostalgia can be just as comforting as a blanket, and personal wall photos can make your apartment feel more like a cozy, familiar home.

Velvety coziness in a living room by @kristingronas

If you’re willing to make your couch compete with your bed for your affections, a cozy living room is the perfect addition to your apartment. While lush throw blankets can make naps irresistible, a plush area rug will give your feet a soft place to land after a long day. Soft lighting like candles will create a warm, inviting glow to complement the lush layers of textiles in the room. Simplistic patterns and muted colors will also keep the room from feeling overwhelmed. 

Easy comfort in an organized office space by @trinsetr

Don’t let your desk space become a constant reminder of stress and long hours working. The room above is perfect inspiration for a desk that’s cozy and makes working a dream. Be considerate with the storage on and around your desk to keep your most used items within reach and easy to find. A study session is a lot simpler when you don’t have to move far to grab your favorite notebook. And with a plush blanket nearby and personal photos pinned around, you’ll grow to love spending time at your desk no matter what you’re working on.

Bohemian Apartment Decor

With the excitement and joy that comes with moving into your first apartment, you may prefer decor that’s just as vibrant. Bohemian decor is a timeless style that balances artistic patterns, lively colors, and spirited expression. Bohemian style is about freedom--it has its signature elements but is ultimately whatever you decide it to be. It’s not restricted to specific colors or rules. The expressive style of boho decor is a great fit for you if your individual style is eclectic and tough to pin down. 

Whether your boho looks like Coachella, Woodstock, or something in between, bohemian decor will make your apartment a reflection of you. Check out the vibrant rooms below for decor inspiration. 

Artistic prints in a natural glowy bedroom by @wingardium.levanessa

From one-person concerts with your headphones to sleeping through your alarm, you do a lot of things in your bedroom. Decorate your room to be as eclectic as the various activities you do in it. Solid colors are a stylish accent for pops of patterns-- use graphic wall art and textiles to keep your room lively. Glowy, soft lighting will balance out a room of energetic patterns and graphic decor. Natural elements like plants and floral patterns can also make the room feel more vibrant and full of life. 

Bold and well-organized office space by @bylisalinh

Your desk space doesn’t have to be all work and no fun! Charming art prints and creative organizational tools will breathe life and excitement into your work area while keeping you productive. Abstract art prints and designs are an exciting way to keep your walls looking alive and your mind entertained during the most boring of study sessions. Leave your walls both functional and decorative with quirky storage tools that will keep the most essential of your stationary within reach while bringing bohemian energy to your desk. Balance out the hecticness of your work and art decor with solid-colored, cozy textiles to make your space comfy and calm. 

Decorating your first apartment can be just as nerve-racking as it is thrilling. With these decor inspirations in mind, hopefully you’re now ready to customize and enjoy your new home with ease and style.