Revealed: Secrets to how I made my first apartment a home

Jennifer Sheahan shares her cheatsheet so you can save time and money when moving in to your own living space

As well as furniture and kitchenware and appliances, it’s never too soon to start investing in art. Picture: iStock

For many of us, myself included, we are likely to only live in one or two homes for most of these life stages. But the design considerations for each phase of your life will change to meet your evolving needs.

I’m going to skip right past the teen/college years because aside from plastering my room with posters I certainly didn’t consciously make any design choices that are worth repeating. 

The first time I put any thought at all into interior decor was when I moved into my first rented apartment in my early 20s. 

Here are the key things I learned from that time and for you to consider for that stage of life.

WHAT TO INVEST IN

Certainly my biggest concern in my early 20s — out on my own, living in Dublin on a graduate salary — was money. In reality, I had very little of it, but compared to my college years I felt so flush. 

I was a professional, an adult with a regular salary. I felt it was important to invest what little I had in grown-up things, to show the world that I was someone to be taken seriously. 

If you live with housemates you’ll want your room to be a cosy sanctuary.

Some of those things were worth it and some weren’t (oversized fluffy bean bag chair anyone?), so let me pass on my wisdom with the benefit of over 15 years of hindsight so that you don’t make the same mistakes I did (giant lava lamp? No? Surely they’ll make a comeback…any day now…).

Kitchenware

First up is good kitchenware. If you like cooking or baking at all, investing in quality items that make that task easier and more enjoyable is always worth it. They will last, and you can take them with you to any future home you may live in. 

You don’t have to do any of this in one go — start your collection of sturdy knives (a great gift you can build up each birthday) and maintain them carefully; invest in the appliances you’ll use regularly (my Kitchen Aid has been going strong for 15 years); and build a set of quality pots, pans, and oven dishes.

Bedding

Next up is bedding. We spend so much time sleeping that good bedding is always worth it, and quality materials will last if you care for them properly. If you live with housemates you’ll want your room to be a cosy sanctuary. Choose neutral colours that will stand the test of time.

Art

Finally, it’s never too early to start collecting art. Your tastes will evolve, but owning pieces that spoke to you throughout different points in your life is a beautiful way to honour your true self, and will evoke memories for the rest of your life. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but if you see a painting, a print, a photograph, or an object that stirs something in you then I say go for it.

WHERE TO SAVE

Your early 20s should be a time for making mistakes — better known as life lessons. For me this decade was full of terrible hairstyles, comical clothing choices, deadbeat boyfriends (though some were lovely), and some truly horrific homewares. 

I had one of those multi-coloured plastic chandeliers in one apartment and a bedspread with beaded tassels in another. I regret none of it.

You should have ridiculous things in your 20s that you think are the coolest things ever, just don’t waste all your hard-earned cash on them. You don’t need to invest in high-quality furniture for your first apartment. It may not fit in your future home, and your taste may change. 

If you do need to spend money on furniture, look for something modular that will work in your next home, or browse for second-hand pieces. 

Don’t bother spending too much money on anything that is wildly colourful or trendy — it may seem amazing now but you are highly likely to get sick of it. This time is a good opportunity to experiment with DIY or upcycling and try out different styles to see what you like.

RENTAL PROPERTIES

Your options are more limited when renting as your landlord may penalise you for making any changes to the property. For example, you are unlikely to be able to paint the walls (although you might be allowed to if you keep the colour neutral, or if you promise to paint them back before you leave). 

You can however make some easy non-permanent changes that will give your home an instant lift. 

You can swap out lampshades; you can add colour and texture through soft furnishings such as cushions, rugs, and even curtains; you can hang artwork using damage-free Command hooks; you can cover tiles using decals which can be removed with no residue; you can buy peelable wallpaper; you can temporarily re-cover countertops, shelves, or tabletops using contact paper; and you can create a relaxing space with lots of green leafy plants.

Choose neutral colours quality materials will last if you care for them properly when it comes to bedlinen.

If your apartment is not well insulated, you can keep the cold out with draught excluders and strips, and you can cover single-glazed windows with window film for extra warmth. You can plug up draughty chimneys with foil balloons, and if you need more heat a plug-in oil-filled radiator is inexpensive, effective, and can be put on a timer for extra efficiency.

MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU

Fun

Your 20s, and your first apartment, should be mostly about having fun! Make sure you have plenty of glasses and plates to serve your friends the best cheap wine and nibbles when they call around and string up fairy lights for an instant atmosphere. 

Have at least one decent speaker for parties, and lots of blankets for lazy days after. Cushions are great for scattering on the floor if you have limited seating for movie nights.

Home office

You may need a space to work from home — a small desk, noise-cancelling headphones, and a well-chosen Zoom background will go a long way, and a good comfortable chair is worth investing in.

Keep it down

Finally, soundproofing is a good idea if you want to sleep while your housemates are still up, or if you need to be kind to your neighbours while you enjoy your misspent youth a little too late into the night. Soft furnishings, bookcases, and sound panels will go a long way towards absorbing noise (though do try to keep it down won’t you — we old folk need our rest!).

• This month my Irish Examiner Home column focuses on design considerations for each stage of life, starting right here with your first apartment. Stay tuned each weekend throughout the month of November for my follow-up pieces on starter homes, living with children, enjoying middle age, and thriving in retirement