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There are many great advantages to owning your own home – security and independence are two that come to mind. But I’ve also always loved the idea of starting over with a blank piece of cloth and creating a truly private space of my own. And since I just bought an apartment in New York, I couldn’t wait to turn it into my dream little home. After all, owning in the city is quite an accomplishment, so when it comes to decorating, I choose quality items that will make every area feel cozy and stylish, all on a budget.
To create a relaxing getaway, I shop for items that I consider lifelong investments; Once they enter my apartment, they stay. This requires me to be very strategic about what I buy with cost in mind. And after months of searching, I’ve found a great list of products that can help me stockpile and beautify my studio, all for $70 or less. And directly on amazon.
Can you have too many blankets? If you ask me, the answer is definitely no. I purchased this wonderful fleece throw and it is very comfortable to cuddle with. It has pom pom detailing on the edges that looks elegant on my sofa. Although it looks creamy on display, it actually has a welcome pinkish hue, adding a bit of color to the neutral palette. I ended up buying another one too – just in case.
And when I’m not using said blanket, I put it in this basket woven with very deep ropes. The large basket can hold several blankets at once without them tipping over. I also use it to hold the decorative throw pillows I have on my bed at night, and the soft basket lives up to the task.
Another essential item that doubles as a statement piece is the gold accent wall sconce. My condominium is in a relatively old building, and despite its charm, it has no ceiling lighting. Instead of hiring an electrician (and spending thousands), I opted for these mid-century modern sconces that look so elegant on either side of my bed. They plug directly into the wall socket behind my mattress, and unlike other lightbulbs that plug in, these have a metal housing that hides most of the wires, giving it a more elevated look.
Given that my living room also doubles as a dining area And In the home office, I needed something that could provide enough light from 9 to 5 while also providing the relaxing atmosphere I wanted during my personal time. That’s why I’m so glad I bought the Philips Hue Smart LED Light Bulbs. It installs easily into the permanent light unit and syncs with an app on my phone that allows me to adjust brightness and color (ranging from cool white to warm yellow) from anywhere in my house.
And anyone who lives in the city knows that you have to be creative when it comes to storing your things. I was able to turn a cupboard into a pantry because my kitchen couldn’t handle all the cooking essentials, and these banana leaf baskets are on my radar. The warm color definitely catches the eye, and I love that the baskets come in three sizes and have handles for easy retrieval.
To keep all my cute gifts like candles, plants, and photos, I went with these floating shelves. They allow me to decorate and use the dead wall space, and they have a lot of character thanks to the golden arches.
