Moving into your first home by yourself is one of the most exciting things that you can do – it means independence, it means that you’ve really achieved something, it means that you’re taking a giant leap out into the adult world. However, it can be hard to know what exactly to buy. Here are some tips…

A Shower Curtain

First of all, it’s important to make sure that you have a shower curtain. It may sound basic, but you’d be surprised at how many people think that it’s one of the first things that can go when you’re considering how to save money on furnishings. But shower curtains are important for lots of reasons – not only do they manage to stop your bathroom from turning into a slippery inside paddling pool, but they’ll also help to stop mould growing by keeping water inside your tub or shower.

A Real Bed

There’s pretty much no way to get to sleep in comfort unless you have a decent bed. It’s time to stop sleeping on a mattress on the floor and make sure that your bed is good quality and that it supports your back and spine properly. A lot of people have office jobs, meaning that you can get a little achey during the day. A good quality bed and pillows will help this.

A Book Shelf

It was John Waters who said ‘If you go home with somebody, and they don’t have books, don’t f*** ‘em’. Crude? Yes a little, but it’s also completely true. Having books in your home is a sign that you care about the world, that you’re interested in numerous topics, that you want to educate yourself, that you’re imaginative enough to get lost in lots of different worlds. If you aren’t a big reader, look into other areas and start cultivating a collection of books about something that you’re interested in, from fashion to cars to beauty – and if you are a reader, it’s time to get some proper shelves so that you can properly display your beloved literary collection.

A Wine Rack

Let’s face it: one of the best things about moving into your own place is being able to use it to socialise. Inviting your friends over for the first time is both exciting and nerve-wracking (and usually involves a whole lot of frantic tidying up and menu planning first!). One of the most important things to do when you invite your friends over is to provide wine – spirits and mixers are a little too similar to your hedonistic college days for comfort, and beer just isn’t as classy. Invest in an oak wine rack to make sure that your wine collection looks good in your kitchen – and when you’re picking wine on a budget, make sure that you go for the second or third most inexpensive option. They’re invariably a lot better than the cheapest bottles.

A Lamp

One of the worst things about rented apartments is the horrible strip lighting that a lot of them have, rendering your cosy spaces into flat white too-bright white rooms. If you want to avoid that, try investing in a few stand up lamps instead, with pretty shades – they’ll cast a much warmer and more comfortable glow.