Part of growing up is moving out of your parent’s basement and into your own apartment. In Texas, you can find affordable apartments for rent in Houston, one of the best cities for young professionals. If you’ve ever lived in a college dorm or starter apartment, you know how easy it is to make that space look unfinished or immature. It’s time to take down the posters stuck to the wall with packing tape and buy an actual bed frame. No matter what your budget is, if you need a little guidance when it comes to sprucing up your place, you’re in luck! In no time at all, these five things will help you turn your space into somewhere you’ll be happy to call home.

Clear the clutter

Clearing the clutter from your place is step one. Getting rid of the things you don’t use and don’t need will help to give you more space and will make your apartment easier to keep clean. Frame or take down any posters from the wall, get rid of the old T-shirts you’ve acquired from high school and college, and trash that box of cables that has the power cord for your old GameBoy.

Image by Desky

Organize

After you get rid of anything you don’t need, you’ll be left with things that you either love or use frequently (hopefully both). To make your space easier to clean, everything should have a place. That means kitchen counters should be cleared off, nothing should be laying on the floor, and the bathroom should be kept tidy. Store extra items in your cabinets, or seek extra storage solutions like these from IKEA.

Don’t overdo the decor

Decor is something that a lot of people tend to overdo when trying to make their space look ”grown-up”. There is a common misconception that any piece of decor will add value to the space. Pick a few pieces that stick to a theme, and try to carry that these throughout your entire space. What you’re looking for is a balance of space and decor so that your space is both functional and beautiful.

Buy a few quality items

Curtains, a rug, and a set of nice sheets for your bed can really go a long way in making your space feel like home.  Try to stick with neutral colors that will complement a variety of T-shirts and themes. These items can be pretty costly but are worth the initial investment since these items will last you years.

Fill the space with plants

Adding plants to your apartment is a great way to bring some life and color into your apartment. If you tend to have a brown rather than a green thumb, try to utilize succulents, cacti, or fig trees, which all need minimal care. Just make sure to place them in an area with lots of natural light.