After a big move from Florida to Texas following a promotion, Grace and I put together a few tips, a must have move-in list for young adults and a few things in her new apartment. Here’s how to avoid the rookie mistakes and design a functional first home that feels anything but temporary. 🚫 DON’T: — Don’t hang one small piece of art above a large sofa (scale and proportion matter!) — Don’t waste hours assembling low-quality furniture with too many drawers and screws — Don’t mix every Pinterest trend you love into one small space—cohesion is key — Don’t pick brightly colored rugs that read more dorm room than design-forward — Don’t skip a bed skirt—it hides storage and gives your space a finished look ✅ DO: — Do bring a toolkit, command strips, and extra hooks for coats and towels — Do shop for pre-assembled furniture at @homegoods that’s ready to style immediately — Do use rattan bins to store less-used accessories—chic and clutter-free — Do hang denim and basics on felt hangers for space-saving organization — Do add a 3–4 tier shoe rack to maximize every inch of closet space — Do organize cabinets with Lazy Susans and stackable drawers to keep things tidy — Do stock up on luxe-look towels for under $10 at HomeGoods—budget-friendly and plush — Do only assemble furniture with simple steps, like adding legs to tables or chairs — Do join a same-day delivery service like Walmart+ or Target Circle to skip extra trips and streamline setup GradLifeStyled FirstApartmentTips DesignDosAndDonts PostGradLiving HomeGoodsFinds LTKHome SmallSpaceSolutions BudgetFriendlyDecor HomeOnABudget WalmartPartner TargetCircle LTKFamily LTKHome LTKFindsUnder100