My First Apartment 🏠
I absolutely loved this apartment in downtown Chicago.
I had just got out of Military training and was about to start my first semester at University of Illinois at Chicago. I was 19 years old and the idea of moving to such a big city was so exciting for me. I moved into a 2 bed apartment with my 2 best-friends on the 28th floor in south loop. I shared a room with a friend while my other friend had her own and paid more for it. The way that we worked out buying things for the apartment is as follows:
We all made a joint list of things we need like a couch, a table, kitchen supplies, etc. we ordered all of that and split the price 3 ways. If we wanted anything for our apartment that we wanted to keep after we moved out, we bought it ourselves. This worked really well for us. Most of everything we ordered was off of Amazon. It’s just a cheap and easy way to get furniture or anything delivered to your apartment.
I lived Chicago, but living there is expensive, Especially while going to school. I was working everyday after school and would do my homework every second I could. The summer was so much better because all I had to worry about was work. Summers in Chicago are TOP TIER. That being said, i decided to transfer colleges. UIC was too big for me, I wasn’t connecting with people, I found that the classes were so big that it was hard to get an answer from the professor, I was struggling more then I had before in school. Me and one other roommate moved out. The other roommate stayed. The way we worked out splitting all the furniture was, we basically made a list of everything with prices and we got to go “shopping” we each had a “spending” limit so if you wanted a couch, it would take a big chunk of your budget. Where as for me I bought a lot of the little stuff like kitchen supplies, bathroom supplies, etc. I bought the basics of what I need for my new apartment. I recommend this way!
I hope to move back to Chicago after I get my degree, but who knows where life will take me! #lemon8partner #firstapartment #apartmentideas #decor #apartmentdecor #dayinmylife #lemon8diary #chicago #apartmentinspo #furniturefinds
When I first started decorating my apartment with my friends, we prioritized affordable home decor to create a cozy and stylish environment without breaking the bank. We found that shopping together and sharing expenses helped us afford quality pieces like a comfy couch and a dining table, while smaller items like kitchen and bathroom essentials were individually purchased to suit personal tastes. To keep costs down, we mainly used online shopping platforms such as Amazon, which offers convenient delivery and competitive prices for furniture and decor. Choosing multipurpose items and simple, clean designs helped maintain a cohesive aesthetic without spending too much. One tip I learned is to focus on basics and layer in personal touches over time. Instead of rushing to fill every space, waiting to find unique and affordable decor allowed us to stay within our budgets while crafting a warm living space. I also recommend using budget tracking strategies, like setting spending limits for bigger purchases and dividing costs clearly, to keep everything fair among roommates. Living in a big city like Chicago means higher expenses, so balancing work, school, and managing a household was challenging but rewarding. Decorating can be a fun way to relieve stress and express personality after long days. Plus, sharing the journey with friends made the apartment feel like home much quicker. If you’re moving into your first apartment or looking to refresh your space on a budget, remember it’s all about collaboration, planning, and smart shopping. With affordable home decor ideas, you can create a stylish and inviting space that truly feels yours.
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