August 7, 2026, 2:51 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Moving into your first apartment is a major milestone. Finally, you can set up everything according to your own preferences. However, this freedom often leads to common decorating mistakes. Due to budget constraints, people improvise, buy furniture spontaneously, and leave decoration for last. The result is often a furnished apartment that feels chaotic, uncomfortable, or unbalanced. myHOMEBOOK reveals the typical mistakes made when furnishing a first apartment and how to do it better.
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1. Buying furniture before having a plan
Buying furniture right after getting the keys risks making poor choices. Often, it’s only upon moving in that you realize how large a room actually feels or which pathways should remain clear.
Therefore, it’s advisable to first create a floor plan and draw the furniture to scale. This helps better assess which sizes truly fit and which purchases can wait. For those who find this too theoretical, there’s another way: Use masking tape to outline the planned furniture on the floor. This quickly gives you a sense of the space and shows which furniture sizes fit and which do not.
2. Buying everything at once
The temptation to fully furnish the apartment as quickly as possible is strong. However, the character of a first apartment usually develops over time.
Furnishing every room immediately often leads to decisions made under pressure. It’s more sensible to first invest in essential furniture like a bed, sofa, and dining table, and then gradually add the rest.
3. Choosing the wrong sofa size
The sofa is usually the largest piece of furniture in the living room and is often incorrectly sized. A model that’s too large can overwhelm small spaces, while one that’s too small can seem lost in larger living areas. Before purchasing, you should measure not only the space but also consider pathways, doors, and windows.
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4. Underestimating lighting
In many first apartments, there’s initially only one ceiling light per room. While functional, it’s rarely cozy. A cohesive lighting concept consists of multiple light sources. A floor lamp next to the sofa, a table lamp on the sideboard, or indirect lighting creates much more atmosphere than a single ceiling light.
5. Using rugs that are too small
A small rug under the coffee table may seem practical at first glance, but it often makes the living area feel unfinished. It’s better to choose a model that at least accommodates the front legs of the sofa and chairs. This creates a visually cohesive living area and makes the room feel more harmonious.
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6. Forgetting storage space
In a first apartment, every square foot counts. Yet, storage is often only considered when boxes, clothes, or household items start piling up. Closed cabinets, beds with drawers, or multifunctional furniture help maintain order without making the space feel cluttered.
Even previously unused areas, such as under the bed, above doors, or in corners, can be effectively used as additional storage. Those who opt for thoughtful storage solutions from the start not only create more space but also ensure a tidy and homely atmosphere. Especially in small apartments, the fewer items left out in the open, the larger and calmer the space appears.
7. Leaving walls bare
Many people wait to hang pictures or decorate walls until “everything is finished.” The problem is that walls without art, photographs, or mirrors often feel cold and impersonal. They don’t have to be expensive artworks. Framed photographs, prints, or posters give an apartment personality and make it feel more lived-in.
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8. Not letting the apartment grow with your life
The first setup doesn’t have to be perfect. On the contrary, it can change. New hobbies, a different job, or moving to a larger apartment often change the requirements for the furnishings. Those who choose furniture flexibly and remain open to changes create a home that works in the long term.
Good furnishing doesn’t happen overnight
Social media can easily give the impression that a first apartment must look like it’s straight out of a design magazine from day one. In reality, the most beautiful apartments usually develop their character step by step.
Personal mementos, favorite books, plants, or inherited furniture often make a home more interesting than a setup that only follows current trends. Instead of trying to perfect every detail immediately, it’s worth giving the apartment time to evolve along with its residents.