// photo by Stoffer Photography for The Everygirl

About this time several years ago, I was getting ready to graduate college and I had one thing on my mind… my first apartment. I had been anxiously awaiting the freedom of graduation and planning for the big move into my own place. I can remember many, many trips to IKEA to shop for my future apartment while I was still in school – I’d pick up new bedding, dinner ware, more towels, and I’d just stash them away for that “one day”.

Looking back now there are a few things I wish I would have known or kept in mind when searching for and moving into my first apartment. A few lessons learned:

• Don’t underestimate natural light: While hardwood floors, closet space and an updated kitchen may seem like the most important features in your apartment search, don’t forget about natural light! Even the greatest apartment will feel dark without natural light and you’ll have to compensate with lots of lamps & overhead lighting. I’ve found that natural light makes such a huge impact on my mood – it makes it easier to wake up in the morning and just makes spaces feel happier!

• Location, location, location: You don’t have to live in the trendiest neighborhood, but location is still important in terms of proximity to what’s important to you within your everyday life. Long commutes are never fun and while I don’t recommend living right by your office (been there, done that), you should try and find a balance between what’s convenient for you and what fits the environment you’d like to live in. Living in a location that just fits with your lifestyle will be more valuable down the road than what the inside of your apartment looks like.

• Cover your basic needs: When touring apartments, don’t forget to think through the basic things you’ll need – laundry, grocery shopping, parking, coffee shops, etc. While these locations don’t have to be right around the corner or on premises, you should plan out where you’d run your basic errands and tackle the little tasks that are a part of everyday life. Take a drive or walk around the neighborhood after you tour an apartment to get a feel for what’s in the area and how easy or how much time may be involved to cover your basic needs.

• Layout > Space: Don’t worry about square footage! A great layout is more important than the amount of space you have. Small spaces can still feel big with storage, natural light and a layout that maximizes every foot of the space. On the other hand, large apartments mean more furniture to purchase and can leave you with odd areas that aren’t functional. Bigger is not always better and there’s a lot you can do with a layout that works well for you.

• Keep it affordable: This is the biggest thing I made a mistake on – I was moving in with a boyfriend (at 22, ugh) and while we were both able to afford the rent while splitting it evenly, it was more than either one of us could cover on our own. Fast forward to a breakup after a few months & we were left with an apartment that was just too expensive for either of us to stay in on our own. Always make sure you aren’t stretching yourself too thin with rent! While going up an extra $100 or $200 a month in your budget doesn’t seem like a lot when you’re in love with an apartment, it makes a big difference.

What are some things you’ve learned while living in apartments? Is anyone looking for a new or first apartment at the moment?