Furniture Store Guide to Outfitting Your First Apartment

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Heading to the furniture store to outfit your first apartment is an exciting prospect. But, if you don’t know exactly what you need, it may be a needlessly expensive trip.

If your new place is bare, your furniture store options are endless – but your bank account may not be. To avoid biting off more than you can chew, buy the essentials first. You can always add more home furnishings later when they fit into your budget. 

You’ll also be money ahead when you invest in high-quality home furnishings, rather than going to the build-it-yourself warehouse store. Invest wisely in a few good pieces, and they’ll last for years or decades.

Start with a Comfortable Bed

You spend about one-third of your life sleeping, so a comfortable bed is an absolute must.

Buy the best bed you can afford. While sleeping on a futon or sleeper sofa may be a more economical choice, it’s a decision you (and your back) will come to regret.

For your first apartment, a storage bed is a practical option. With a comfortable sleeping spot and multiple drawers for clothing, it’s like killing two birds with one stone at the furniture store! Get a storage bed, and you may be able to buy a smaller dresser – or even put off that purchase for now.

Think About Seating

No one likes sitting on the floor. Even if you don’t mind lounging and eating in your bed, your guests are going to need a place to sit.

You may be tempted to visit the bargain furniture store for your seating, but choosing a high-quality (yet reasonably priced) sofa or armchairs is more economical in the long run. Invest in better furniture, and you won’t have to worry about replacing it or having it look worn and broken down.

Don’t Forget About Lighting

The overhead lighting in your first apartment is likely to lack ambiance. It’s probably also unhelpful for different tasks like reading or working on your computer. Consequently, you should add lamps to your furniture store shopping list.

Fortunately, quality lighting doesn’t have to cost a small fortune. You can find a range of affordable and stylish floor and table lamps at your local furniture store. Just be sure you consider both ambient and task lighting when making your purchases.

More Furniture for Your First Apartment

As your budget allows, you’re going to need a few more visits to the furniture store to finish setting up your first apartment:

  • Dining Set – A dining table and chairs can serve as a spot for food prep, a makeshift home office space and a place to share a meal with visiting family and friends.
  • Nightstands – You’re going to want handy bedside storage. Nightstands also provide space for bedside lighting, an alarm clock and all your other nighttime essentials.
  • End Tables – Similarly, when you and your guests are seated on the sofa and chairs, you’ll all want a spot to set drinks and snacks.
  • Desk – In a pinch, your dining set can double as a desk. But, if you work from home quite often, you’ll eventually need a dedicated space.
  • Storage – If your first apartment is like most, you may not have much closet and cabinet space. A coat rack, dresser, filing cabinet or other storage furniture can keep your belongings tucked away and organized.

When you’re ready to outfit your first apartment, visit us at Guild Hall Furniture Store & Interior Design Center. Our Salt Lake City furniture store and showroom is packed with affordable, stylish must-haves to fill your new living spaces. 

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