Ways To Make Your Off-Campus Apartment Feel Like Home

By Ashley Paskill on February 12, 2021

Living in an off-campus apartment is a huge step. You get a little more freedom in what you can and cannot do and there is a little bit more space. However, if it is your first time away from home or if you are living by yourself without roommates, it can be hard to make your apartment feel like home. However, it is possible to make your apartment feel like home.

Image: Unsplash

Decorate

Decorating your apartment is a great way to make your apartment feel more personal and at home. It is a better alternative to coming home to a bland apartment at the end of a long day. While there may be rules about how to hang things, using things like Command strips can make decorating easy. Hanging photos of friends and family members back home. Think about each room individually and get decorations for those rooms. For example, if you have a magnetic fridge, use fun magnets to hang photos on your fridge.

If you have a roommate or roommates moving in with you, consult with them to decide on how to decorate. Consider designating a room for each person to decorate aside from individual bedrooms. Make sure everyone has a say in how the apartment is decorated so everyone feels at home.

One room to make sure you make your own is your bedroom. It is where you will be sleeping and where you are likely to spend the most time. Get comfortable pillows and blankets for your bed, and make sure your room overall reflects what home means to you.

Befriend your neighbors

Even if you have roommates, it is still important to introduce yourself to your neighbors. If your landlord puts on community events, make an effort to go to one to meet those around you. Even simply saying hi to those you pass in the halls can make a difference. It is likely that at least some of those in your apartment complex are fellow students, so connecting with them can help you make professional and personal connections to help you feel less lonely. Getting to know your neighbors can be useful if you want to hang out with someone other than your roommate(s).

Keep it clean

As a student, your schedule is super busy with classes, student organizations, internships, and jobs. However, it is still crucial to keep your space clean and organized. This will go a long way in making your space feel like home. You may feel tempted to leave stuff in boxes and suitcases, especially if you are only living in the apartment during the semester, but unpacking and putting things away will help bring a feeling of home to your apartment. Create a cleaning schedule so that you do not become overwhelmed at the thought of doing everything at once.

Image: HiveBoxx via https://unsplash.com/photos/mYxzG5NwDNs

Find what is making you uncomfortable                                                                                                                                                                            

A huge part of feeling at home is a feeling of safety and comfort within your space. However, there are thoughts and realities that can make you uncomfortable, making it difficult for your space to feel like your home. You may think that you are only renting for a short period of time and you do not actually own the space. You may feel overwhelmed and stuck because of the limits to what you can do to decorate the apartment. Reflect on what is bothering you, and take action. There may be limits, but this does not mean that you cannot decorate your apartment. Even though you are renting, this space is still your home. Find out what you are actually able to do to decorate your apartment.

Explore the neighborhood

One of the key factors to selecting an apartment is the neighborhood around the apartment complex. This is just as important a factor in your apartment being your home as the inside of your apartment. Take time to check out any stores, restaurants, and cafes that are near your apartment, especially ones that are locally owned instead of chains. See if you can find out where people in the community meet to talk and just hang out. Also, consider joining a community group to meet new people in the area around you.

Throw a housewarming party

One common way to feel at home is to host a housewarming party. Have people over to help you celebrate your apartment, especially if it is your first time living in an apartment of your own. Start planning in advance so that you are not tempted to cancel. Hosting a party will help give you some motivation to unpack your boxes and get your space decorated. You may even decide to take pictures of friends who come to hang up, or you may opt to have a craft night to create decorations with your friends.

It can be tough to make your apartment feel like home, but it is possible to make it cozy and comfortable. Give it some time and be patient.

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