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This post is brought to you by Progressive. See how much Progressive could save you when you bundle your policies.
Your first “big kid” home. It’s a scary, exhilarating and liberating thing, all wrapped into one. But here’s the deal – often it takes awhile to get settled, organized and get into a routine. The transition into the “real world” can be hard enough, if your place doesn’t feel like your home, or makes you anxious because nothing has a place; it makes that transition even harder.
Do yourself a solid and start collecting small items now that will make your future home relaxing, clean, and put together. Whether you’re looking to get organized, stay healthy, or save the environment, we’ve got you covered.
To make your place homey:
Bulldog Clips
Let your art speak for itself. Who needs bulky (and weirdly expensive) frames when you can go the more artistic route? Art clamps are a minimalist’s dream for bedroom decorating.
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Set of Guest Towels
Look at you, all adult and stuff. Try adding a few extra guest towels in your closet for surprise visitors. The best part about having a cozy home is making it cozy for your friends too.
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Warm Light Bulbs
Turn off those glaring fluorescent overhead bulbs and switch to something softer. Try soft white (2700K – 3000K) bulbs add a warm glow to your room without the harsh milk-aisle lighting.
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Mini Speaker
Take out your ear buds and stay for a while. You deserve a home that’s cozy, beautiful and filled with your favorite music. Invest in a Bluetooth speaker with great sound and you’ll be feeling right at home sweet home.
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Cozy Throw
Every girl deserves a grown up “blanky.” Find a big soft-knit throw that will be your go-to for movie marathons, sick days, and makeshift beds when your friends need a place to crash.
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Cute Coasters
Protect your coffee table and look like a grown up with bright coasters that show off your place’s style. Whether you DIY them or find quirky ones at a second-hand shop, this is a fun way to bring color into your house.
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To save you major cash:
French Press
It’s no secret so many of us are addicted to coffee. But do our wallets really need to take such a hard hit? Instead of spending three bucks on coffee a day, buy yourself a beautiful French press. You’ll save $90 a month by brewing your cup of joe at home.
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Energy-saving Outlet Cover
You know all that time you leave your hair dryer, curling iron, phone charger, etc. plugged in but aren’t using them? You’re still drawing the energy out of your outlet (and increasing your energy bill). If you’re someone who forgets to unplug, save yourself some major cash with an energy-saving outlet cover.
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To keep your place clean and organized:
Bed Risers
Chances are your room is tiny and you need some serious space. The best way to make room, without adding clutter, is mounting your bed on bed risers. Give your bed a good lift, clean out the dust bunnies and make space for storage units underneath.
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Quirky Catchall Tray
You know all those little things that have no real place? Hair clips? Jewelry? Things that kind of live at the bottom of your purse, but are still important? They deserve a spot to live in your room. By buying a cheap catchall tray, you can keep all those essential trinkets in one pretty piece of pottery.
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Velvet Hangers
Say bye-bye to clunky plastic hangers and hello to these chic babies. Using velvet hangers is a simple change that will leave your closet less bulky and more streamlined. It may not be a Carrie Bradshaw dream closet yet, but it’s a start.
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Key Hooks
If only we could get back all the time we’ve frantically spent running around our apartments looking for our keys. Keep yourself organized and have a designated spot that you always hang your keys. There are so many cute key hooks with message boards so you and your roomies can also leave each other cute notes, or reminders to get more TP.
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Baking Soda
Having baking soda on hand is an easy way to make your apartment smell fresh. Weird smell in your fridge? Add baking soda. Terrible stench coming from the trash? Add baking soda. Want a clean bathtub? Add baking soda. (We swear it has cleaning super powers.)
Floating Shelves
No money for a book shelf? No floor space for new furniture? Enter: the floating shelf. Add them to corners of your room to maximize space for your favorite books, picture frames, and plants.
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Plastic Storage Bags
These guys are storage lifesavers. Perfect for storing your off-season clothing and flexible enough to shoved under your bed – out of sight, out of mind.
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Wooden Crates
Have a fruit market in your neighborhood? How about a grocery store? Ask the employees if you can have a few fruit crates for storage. Not only do they add great storage and rustic look, but if you get the right person at the store, you can get them free of charge.
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To save the environment:
Dish Drying Rack
Do we really need to run our dishwashers that much? For big pots and pans that take an entire load to finish, try washing by hand. The more you let dry on a drying rack, the more water you’ll save. Win!
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Reusable Coffee Cup
The no-brainer way to stay environmentally friendly? Stick with a reusable coffee cup or water bottle. There are plenty of brands that make beautifully designed cups that are cooler than any plastic bottle out there.
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Separated Recycling Bins
It’s 2017, so if you’re not recycling, it’s time for you to jump on the train. Make it easy on yourself by buying a recycling separator that divides the trash for you. Saving the world is as easy as paper, plastic, can.
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Reusable Grocery Bags
Who needs all those plastic bags anyway? Stock up on some cute canvas bags to hold your groceries and give the environment a break. Not only are you saving the environment, but you’re giving yourself an excuse to buy some new cute bags too. Boom!
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Laundry Drying Rack
By skipping the dryer and investing in a drying rack, not only will you save the environment, but you’ll give your clothes a much-needed break from being over washed.
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To keep you healthy:
Silk Pillowcase
Silk pillowcases are luxurious and they’re not just for George Michael music videos anymore. (Yes ‘Careless Whispers’ we’re looking at you.) Silk pillowcases are great for your skin and hair and you can get them for pretty cheap if you search hard enough. Yes, beauty sleep is as easy as changing your sheets to something a bit more glamorous.
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Plants
Adding some green to your room is not only a huge design win, it’s actually good for your health! Indoor potted plants help purify the air and increase oxygen in the room helping you sleep better and relax.
Lavender Essential Oil
So your room is looking cute, spacious and homey but you’re missing one essential thing: the sleep-ability factor. By adding lavender essential oil to your skin before you go to sleep, you’ll have a much easier time getting beauty rest.
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