College Student's Guide To: Furnishing an Off-Campus Apartment

College students love living off-campus. It's that all-important first step toward an independent life, but there are snags in the fabric of bliss when it comes to off-campus housing. Students used to living in nearly-furnished dorm rooms find themselves with a chair, bedding and little else in which to decorate an entire apartment with.

How to survive? Furnishing your first apartment can be done cheaply, so don't panic about funding. It's also completely possible to find furnishings that are inexpensive and attractive. No one wants the old-school milk crate bookshelves, right?

First Step - Call Your Parents/Grandparents/Anyone Related by Blood

Despite what flaws you see in your parents' decorating style, they are bound to have something helpful lying around in storage or in the basement. Unearthing finds such as discarded love seats, coffee tables and kitchenware are only a few of the very real possibilities. If there's an extra couch they're willing to donate, snag it. If you don't like the way the couch looks, put a slipcover on it. While you're grilling your parents for extra goodies to donate, check with your grandparents, aunts and uncles. Even if you only come away with a side table or toaster, that's another bit of money you won't have to spend.

Second Step - Flea Markets and Antique Shops

If you live in a medium to large city, there's a near-guarantee that a flea market is nearby. Flea markets can be a great place to find unique home furnishings that can add an extra touch of style. An unusual rug or window treatment is something to watch for at a flea market, and there's a good chance you'll get home goods at a bargain price point.

Bookshelves are another flea market must-buy. No matter how much the average college student does or does not like to read, a bookshelf can hold things such as DVDs, video games, textbooks or other assorted things that can't be placed anywhere else. A baseball hat collection works just as well on a bookshelf as actual books would. Try using this site to search for flea markets in your area.

Antique shops can be touch-and-go...you are as likely to find something lovely and completely overpriced as you are finding something lovely and inexpensive. If you like the thrill of the hunt, don't be deterred by the potential price of antique goods. A lot of out-of-the-way antique shops will have great items for you to discover.

Third Step - Ikea

No college student can survive without Ikea. It is truly the holy grail for first apartment shopping, but don't let yourself get carried away by the sheer mass of goods available. Buy only the following from Ikea as "must-haves," and if you have funds left over, go back and pick up the extras you wanted.
- A bed frame/mattress
- Lamps (some apartments don't come installed light fixtures)
- Cooking utensils (spoons, knives, spatulas, etc.)
- Eating utensils (spoons, forks, knives)
- Cookware (pots, pans, microwavable dishes, skillet, etc.)
- Glassware (sets of tumblers for drinks)
- Plates & bowls
- Bedding/sheets
- Towels/shower curtain
- Small breakfast nook table and chairs
- Desk
- Entertainment center
- Hangers
- Hamper

If you haven't acquired the following, Ikea is a good place to grab:
- A couch
- Misc. living room chairs
- Coffee table
- Pillows
- Throw blankets & rugs
- Posters & wall art
- Plants

Fourth Step - Target

Stocking an apartment requires some initial necessities in order to make living comfortable and easy. Pick these up at your local Target or Wal-Mart.
- Toilet paper
- Paper towel
- Various household cleaners, such as Windex, bathroom scrub, kitchen scrub, carpet stain remover
- Trash can
- Trash bags
- Dish scrubber
- Hand soap
- Dish soap
- Dishwasher detergent
- Laundry soap
- Dryer sheets
- Laundry basket(s)
- Toilet plunger

At this point, you should be fairly well-stocked and ready to live a new, independent life. Just make sure your friends take their shoes off at the door!