I’m here to tell you what you should and shouldn’t invest in when you live in a rented apartment. There are some items that you can invest in that will last for years and then there are some items that you should re-buy after a year or two of use:
Mirrors: Invest. This entails wall mirrors and floor mirrors. Mirrors are an item that’s rarely touched and therefore less likely to break. It’s also an item that you can reuse & take with you when you have to eventually move.
Couch: Do not invest. This is an item you most definitely shouldn’t invest in. If the living room is your only area of congregation in your home, then no matter how hard you try to take care of it, your couch will get dirty over time. I’m not saying to go out and buy a $100/$200 couch (unless you find it super comfortable!), but definitely don’t go out and spend thousands on one. My couch, from World Market, was $700, and I bought it 2 years ago. In another year or two, after many more wine and pizza stains, I am going to buy another couch of the same value.
Throw Pillows: Do not invest. Like a couch, throw pillows are used often and will eventually get dirty over time. Buy new, cheap throw pillows/ pillow covers at discount stores such as HomeGoods or T.J Maxx.
Mattress: Invest. A fun fact is that you sleep 1/3 of your life. You want to make sure that you find a mattress that’s not only comfortable but will last through the years. I invested in a Sleep Number and by far it’s been one of my favorite purchases.
Wall Art: Invest. Like a mirror, wall art is something that is rarely touched and therefore less likely to become damaged or dirty. Art is something you can take with you from place to place and even pass down to future generations.
Coffee Table: Do not invest. This is an item that is virtually used all the time: It always has drinks, food, books and shoes on it. Not only is it going to get very dirty very quickly, but it’s going to get scratched over time, and that’s something not easy to fix. Don’t necessarily spend $50 on one, but don’t go out of your way spending hundreds.
Area Rugs: Do not invest. I think this goes without saying. Your rugs are going to get dirty over time no matter how often or hard you try to clean them and it’s not realistic to have people take of their shoes every time they come into your apartment. It’s silly to spend hundreds of dollars on a nice rug when it’s just going to get ruined over a period of a few months. The best way to go is to buy a new, cheap rug once a year.
CHEAP, CHIC THROW PILLOWS CASES
xo, Chelsey
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