Returning home after a long day at work, running errands or socialising is one of my favourite feelings in the world. It’s coming up to a year since I moved into my apartment and the comforting feeling of being home only gets stronger.
As an anxious person, I don’t cope too well with having lots of mess, boxes piled high or disorganisation around me. I’m easily overwhelmed and the more stressed I get, the less I seem to be able to get anything done.
I knew that when I moved into my flat, I’d need to get as much sorted as I could as quickly as I could and that’s exactly what I did. I did loads of research online to find the highest quality essentials for my bedding and kitchen but for the best possible price and with the help of some friends, I painted, cleaned, utilised what I already had and put everything away as best I could. Within 2 weeks my apartment felt like a home and over the last year, I’ve slowly added to the decor and furniture.
Soft furnishings have helped a great deal. It was really important to me that I had a comfortable place to sleep and a sense of escapism in my bedroom so I invested in my bedding and created a hotel room level of comfort and visual aesthetic in my bedroom, you can read about that in this post. Little finishing touches such as photographs in frames, throws and cushions, candles and fresh flowers made all the difference to my space and really helped to give me the comforting sense of home.
Quality for the best price has been very important to me throughout this process because while I’m on a budget, I’m buying for investment because these pieces are going to be with me for a long time. I’m renting the place that I live in right now but I’m saving as much as I can so that one day, I can buy my own property. I want my apartment to feel like a home and I’m so happy there but I would like the long term financial security of owning my own property eventually and I’m working so hard to achieve that goal.
One of my favourite things about my apartment are the balconies. I’ve only decorated one as of yet but it gets so much use as it opens out from the lounge. I bought the Tärnö table and 2 chairs from Ikea for the bargain price of £35 and 2 of the dark grey Justina Chair Pads for £4 a piece to give the chairs some added comfort. This summer, I bought a big citronella candle in a light red glass jar to go on the table and some wine goblets for 79p each from Home Bargains which I’m discovering is a great place for homeware. I love dining outside but I’m always so worried that I’ll drop and smash my crockery so my dad has given me the plastic garden plates and glasses that I’d bought years ago for his house as he doesn’t use them.
When I get the extra cash, I’m thinking about buying just one relaxation chair for the other balcony, perhaps one that reclines so that I can sit out there and read when the weather is good. I like to have a slow morning, write and have breakfast and I think that it would be lovely to create a space where I could do that too.
Now I can use my balcony for dining, drinks with friends and for working on my laptop so it really is a great extension of my apartment for work, play and relaxation. I really feel the value in having outdoor space and its something that I’m looking forward to having even more of when I buy a property.
I’ve always fancied the idea of having a kitchen with a living space that opens out onto the back yard or garden and its definitely on my tick list of things that I’m looking for when it comes to buying a home. I’m keeping my options open though as if I see somewhere that I love that doesn’t have the access to the outdoor space that I want then I can always get a quote from abifold door online designer and create the exact look that I want.
It’ll be so amazing to sit out on a patio with some plants and maybe even a BBQ. The great thing is that I’ll be able to take the all of the things that I’ve bought for my apartment with me and because I’ve not scrimped on quality and they’re precisely my style, they’ll suit my next place too. However for the time being, I’m so happy in my apartment that I’m in no rush to buy anywhere. When I’ve got enough money saved up and the right property comes along, it comes along but until then, I’m so happy in my home. Who knows, maybe in the future I’ll move in with my boyfriend!
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How do you utilise your outdoor space? Whats your favourite thing about your home?
*This post has been written in collaboration with Direct Bifold Door
We have an outdoor terrace which is filled with plants and vegetables in pots and growbags, for me, I love seeing nature at its best x
I like the idea of a relaxation chair and I like your outdoor space too!
Oh yes, I adore those bifold doors too, it is wonderful to be able to open the back of the house up and feel as if the garden is just part of your won home. Mich x
I have a balcony too which can be open or closed with massive glass sliding windows and I love spending time out there when I can, it will do until I move and get a garden x
I lived in a flat with no outdoor space for 4 years. I did love having my own space, though. Now we have a garden and it's a great space for our children to play in.
Your place sounds lovely, I'd love a balcony! I've just moved into my own rented apartment and though it feels like home, it's taking a while to add my own personal touch onto things as I'm always so skint by paying bills haha! x
Its wonderful that you are making an effort to make your temporary home a proper home while waiting for your new one. I love balconies as well.