Complete Your College Experience With These Apartment Accessories

By Victoria Robertson on June 19, 2017

This article is brought to you by CORT Furniture Rental. We take the hassle out of furnishing your new place so you can do more important things like read this article. Learn more about why furniture rental is the best way to get a great looking apartment.

When you move into an apartment for the first time in college, it’s very easy to want to go crazy with accessories, decorations, and furniture that you truly don’t need. In other words, many college students needlessly spend money just because they can. Does that mean they should? Definitely not.

However, there are some apartment accessories that are just too great not to have. For that reason, I’ve compiled a list of the six apartment accessories you’ll want to consider purchasing to make your apartment complete and ready for your college experience.

1. Spare chairs

Beanbag, wooden, plastic, folding: it doesn’t matter. What it comes down to is the fact that you will definitely need extra seating in your apartment at least a couple of times during the year. While many apartments do come furnished, and you shouldn’t spend copious amounts of money on new furniture, it doesn’t hurt to have some back up chairs stored somewhere just in case. (Again, this is why folding chairs are the best bet, but a couple of bean bag chairs stacked to the side may be more comfortable options as well if you can afford them).

2. Games

It sounds juvenile, but you’d be surprised how often these come in handy. They can be board games, video games, or a healthy combination of both. Basically, you’ll find that you have a lot of time to spend with your roommates, and while it’s tempting to sit there and watch TV the whole time, it’s a lot more productive to pull out a couple games and truly bond with your roomies.

You can also add some card games or, if you live in an area with nicer weather, you can add some outdoor games to your stash for some extra fun on the weekends or after classes during the week.

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3. Wall décor

Again, it sounds like it’s not that important, but you’ll quickly find that an apartment feels much more homey when you put a little of your personality into the decorations. Whether you enjoy classic art, movie posters, or DIY wall art, putting your own personal touch throughout your apartment is going to make you much more relaxed when you’re home. Plus, your friends will have a reason to compliment you. So really, it’s a win-win situation.

4. Welcome mat and shoe rack

You’re going to find that it’s very difficult to keep floors clean when you’re living with several other people. Plus, on rainy or snowy days, you’ll be tracking mud and dirty water through the apartment, which can be a pain to clean. Again, it’s not going to be your first thought, but purchasing a welcome mat is a great idea, as it eliminates the need to track muddy water into the apartment.

Along this same line, if you can purchase a shoe rack to leave near the front door, you save yourself and your roomies some closet space while also preventing dirty shoes from walking throughout the apartment. (For an added bonus, you can purchase a coat rack or umbrella holder, as both will definitely come in handy if you have the extra cash).

5. Throw blankets

You’ll find that more often than not, you’ll be sacrificing comfort to save some money, as air/heat are rather expensive, even if the bill is split several ways. It’s always a good idea to have a couple throw blankets around in case you (or your guests) get cold.

Also, when having movie nights etc., blankets are a great way for everyone to get comfortable. I recommend purchasing a couple fluffy options, but Snuggies or other, more cost-effective options will work as well.

6. Holiday decorations

This is definitely an extraneous expense, so if you’re tight on money, I’d hold off on this one. However, if you have the extra cash, this is a great way to show some spirit while you’re away at school. During the holidays, be it Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas, many college students find they’re just ready to go home and be with their families. Decorating your apartment is not only a great way to bond with your roommates, but it also prevents some of that homesickness by giving you an opportunity to prepare for the upcoming holidays.

So don’t stress out too much about what you do or don’t need to buy for your apartment. It’s a very stressful time, but it doesn’t need to be that way either. Take a look at these items, decide what you have money for and what fits your personality and before long, you’ll have the perfect college apartment that all of your friends will be jealous of.

As a side note, don’t go too overboard either. You can definitely accomplish some of these looks on a DIY budget or by pulling some items from your home as well. Don’t spend above and beyond if you’re unable to, but where you have the money, it may be worth the splurge.

Looking for an easy way to furnish your off-campus apartment? Renting furniture from CORT saves you time and money. See how easy it is to get great looking furniture without breaking the bank.

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