Moving-in makeover

You did it. College is over and it is time to head out into the world, get that job and have a life. Sort of.

With the economy in the toilet, unemployment still hovering above 10 percent and vicious competition for any job that comes down the pipe, you will most likely head where a good number of graduates end up—back at Ma and Pa’s place.

Don’t feel bad. Even if you have to chill back at home for a while, it doesn’t mean you can’t at least live like you’re a bona fide adult. It’s time to tear apart your room and dress it up a bit. Yes, there is a time when all those teen idol posters and stuffed unicorns have to go away…well, maybe one unicorn can stay.

The Vanguard is here to help you with a few ideas to spiffy up a bit. If you do it right, when it does come time to move into your life, you’ll already be partly ahead of the curve. And don’t worry, you don’t have to have fistfuls of cash to do it—don’t forget to support your local second-hand shops and yard sales. You can hire a personal decorator when you do finally get that fancy job and extravagant apartment.

A new bed

I bring this up first because it is a 50/50 shot whether or not you want to throw down some cash for a whole new bed. Maybe you have a nice quality bed back home—in that case, keep it. But if you need to, you can upgrade a bit, and not necessarily for too much.

Light it up

Pick yourself up a nice floor lamp. The light is a lot better than the radiating bulb in the ceiling, plus they just look nice.

Table

You have a few options. If you like to have a workspace, a small table can suffice for a humble desk or basic place to put a few books and pictures. A small coffee table is also another nice option. Throw some magazines and a book down and kick your feet up.

Chair

If you’re going to kick your feet up on a coffee table, you may want something to sit in. Think of getting a small armchair—nothing huge like a Barcalounger, but a simple chair combined with a table can make your room something more than just a place to store yourself overnight.

Rug

Walter was right! A rug can really tie a room together. It also can add a bit of personal expression, and if you end up moving into an old apartment—which isn’t uncommon—with wood floors, a rug can come in handy.

Artwork

It may have been fashionable to plaster your wall with posters when you were in high school, or maybe even in the dorms, but it would serve you well to take those down and hang a few framed pieces of artwork. Don’t worry, I don’t mean you have to become an art snob. For example, if you really enjoy a certain band, put up a framed concert poster; if you love film, find a framed poster for one of your favorite movies; or maybe you are an art snob, in which case get a few nice photographs and frame them.

Plants

Plants are just nice and put a little color in a corner, not to mention they help clean the air in the room. Even if you think you’ll just end up killing the thing, have no fear—there is a plant for everyone, and plenty of varieties that can hold up against your lack of gardening skills. A brief visit to your neighborhood nursery can help you further.