Many of us move into a new space and are so eager to get it all pulled together that our eyes become bigger than our wallets.  Here are a few important tips when buying apartment decor (that will make sure you don’t spend yourself into debt):

1) Buy first what you need. This means you have to be patient (I know, I know).  You need a sofa.  You don’t need $40 place mats from Pottery Barn.  You may want to buy everything at once, but remember that sometimes it has to be a work in progress.

2) Think neutral. Your first large furniture purchases need to be kind of like blank canvases.  Not everything has to be beige, but you want to make sure it will go with whatever you choose to buy later.

3) Stay away from trendy. This is so difficult for people like me who are completely obsessed with design blogs.  When I see a trend cropping up that I love, I have to have it.  You want to try to stop yourself from this as much as possible.  Stick with things that are more your own style.  You will be more inclined to keep them in the future.

4) Streamline. It’s easy to hold onto everything for sentimental value, but you should definitely try to cut out things you don’t need.  Upcycle hand-me-down furniture (check out our DIY projects) and donate old curtains, fabric and linens that you won’t use again.

5) Be a bargain shopper. There are sales going on constantly all year-round now.  If the store isn’t having a particular clearance, you can always check online.  We love sales and will constantly post about deals at Pottery Barn, West Elm, Target, Crate+Barrel, Restoration Hardware, as well as Craigslist and AJC Exchange.