How to Furnish Your First Apartment — What Should You Buy

Neol Silva
4 min readMar 18, 2020

--

Source: 447 Luna Tower

Are you moving into one of Colombo’s high-end apartments, the epitome of elegance and comfort? Then you will want to furnish that space with the right furniture reflecting both your style and ambiance of the building.

This article acts as a guide showing you various angles to consider when purchasing furniture for your new space. You should not only look at functionality but a seamless blend of style to create harmony within your home. Apartments in Colombo come in many forms and the best like 447 Lunar Tower will not only inspire your creative side but will enhance and uplift your lifestyle.

1. First, consider functionality when furnishing your first apartment

Considering functionality will make it easy for you to prioritise on which pieces of furniture you need to get first. Hence, for the basic functionality of your new home you need to consider the following when buying furniture;

· On what to sleep

· A place to sit

· Storage space

· Cooking and eating utensils

· A space to eat and also work (if needed)

Once you have considered the above, see where you can combine the functions in order to save on expenditures. For example, if you have a fold-out bed in the TV lounge, this can double up as a couch and bed when you are having a guest stay over. A small foldable table will serve as a stand for your laptop in a carefully created little workspace and also, double up as a table for food when needed. Besides, purchasing a large dressing table for the room will help you create space for both clothes and books or other accessories.

The key here is to furnish your city apartment in minimalistic fashion at the start; don’t go over-board and purchase the entire range immediately, focusing on a few essential pieces will help you purchase quality stylish furniture, to which you can add as time goes on. Mix and match to create a rustic yet contemporary ambiance within your apartment.

2. How to keep in line with your budget when buying apartment furniture

Beds — there are plenty of stylish options available today; browse around for sales and you should be able to pick a few quality pieces. Don’t over-spend on buying very expensive mattresses, look for comfort and not a brand name.

Couch — Every home needs a couch, a place to relax and also, entertain friends and spend your evenings watching TV. Again look around for pop-up couch sales, which often take place in Colombo. Look for comfort, fabric durability and of course, functionality. An expensive couch is not always comfortable.

3. How to furnish the kitchen of your new apartment

Prioritising is very important when buying stuff for your kitchen; purchase only the bare necessities and you won’t end up with clutter — no one needs 3 sets of cutlery! Shop for a good quality microwave, a coffee maker and an electric kettle. You will also need to consider installing a dishwasher to enhance the elegance of your kitchen — and make your life easier. Scour local stores for equipment and choose electrical appliances which come with a warranty and trusted brand name.

4. Choosing a dining table for your new apartment

Size is the main consideration when buying a dining table for your apartment in Colombo. It depends on the size of your apartment’s dining room space and also the number of members in your family. If you love entertaining then too, you should consider having to seat a number of guests at once. If space permits a ten-place dining table is ideal; although a six-seater too, with some additional chairs stored away will also work. If you like serving family meals in the pantry; consider a small four-seater table in the kitchen; perfect for busy mornings.

5. Shopping for storage space within your apartment

Having an appropriate storage space is the key to keeping your apartment well-organised and clutter-free. Equip your closets with organisers, these will help compartmentalise items for easy access. Use hangers and hanging storage containers to maximise the space of your closet. Over the door, shoe hangers and racks are perfect for making the most of the limited space, which you should consider before investing in a dresser that will take up space.

6. Have a particular design style in mind

You must have a rough idea of what style of ambiance you wish to create in your home. Is it contemporary, vintage, retro or Bohemian? Either way, have that design style in mind when purchasing each individual piece of furniture. And while each item does not have to match, you can make sure they complement each other. Try to create a style that’s unique and showcases your personality; scour through designer magazines and then purchase items that match at much cheaper prices. You’ll be amazed at how good you can make the place look even on a tight budget.

Happy planning folks!

--

--