Four ways to decorate a new space Anne Hassfurder

anhassfu@iu.edu

Whether it’s your freshman year dorm or your very rst apartment, an empty space and bare walls can be intimidating. To make your new home begin to feel homey, decorating to your tastes is a must.

Incorporating welcoming elements

e best way to decorate a new space and make it feel like yours is to start incorporating welcoming elements. Wall décor, good lighting and houseplants can all add a cozy aspect to your space. Amazon is a good place that has all of these and more.

Find your style

All people have di erent preferences when it comes to the way their personal spaces look. Whether you’re just looking for guidance to start or you’ve had Pinterest boards lled with inspiration for months, you’ll be able to nd something that ts your style. Urban Out tters isn’t just a popular retailer for the latest fashion trends: it also has tons of home décor like throw blankets, abstract shelves and mirrors that may be the look you’re going for.

Using unique items

If you’re more into unique items, you could always go thrifting! Antique stores always have aisles upon aisles of furniture and oneof-a-kind décor that just might be more your style if you’re into the sweet cottage-core or grandma aesthetic. Yelp provides a list of all the local thrifting stores in Bloomington. You can also try Etsy! It’s an online source for artists and retailers to sell their items, but it is known for its ability to cater to niche interests with thousands of unique and wonderful items. You can choose to buy from tons of small businesses with anything from wall art to crystals to crocheted blankets at your ngertips.

Online selling

Another way to get high-quality items at a secondhand price is to try online ad sections like Facebook Marketplace and IU Classi eds. People can post anything they have for sale on these sites, allowing you to pick and choose what ts your needs and style. ese sites are especially helpful for nding nice pieces of furniture if your new place isn’t already furnished.

Whatever your goals are for your new space, if you bring in elements that you love, it’s sure to feel like home in no time.