Coming into this new year at school, I will be moving into my first apartment. Yes, I will soon be adulting at almost maximum capacity. And while the adulting side is scary, the decorating part is serious fun. Below are a few tips I got by decorating my spaces. This is in no way professional advice, but rather tips I've learned from dorm living and working at a store which sells both kitchen and home items! Here's to an apartment that is a cross between minimalist and bohemian with desert vibes; a safe haven where there is "Good Vibes Only".

First, I usually start with colors.

1. Color: Personalized Neutrals

Find that accent color and roll with it. I suggest sticking with neutrals in the beginning, i.e. browns, greys, white, and so on. From there, find a pop of color to include into your new space. I personally am head over heels for pastel pink and love when it is incorporated into spaces like these!! Whether it be a couch, a wall or maybe a funky pillow, this accent color will add something fun to your "adulting" area. Another option, though, is just to stay totally neutral and at one with your earthy self.

Only Neutrals:

2. Bedroom

For the bed, go with a solid neutral or pastel colored duvet and add some cool pillows/blankets to the mix. I personally love faux fur pillows with a solid grey or pastel pink duvet. Cool patterns and embroidered pillows/blankets like the ones below work awesome too.

3. Desk Area

For organizers, I am LOVING wall grids and cork boards right now. These babies serve as a place for your calendar, that adorable Polaroid, or just weekly inspirations. If you have the ability to get a desk I love simple white desks as seen below. Add personal accents such as plants, calendars, art of your choosing and so on. I have white buddha head book ends for my desk, which keep it simple but also add something special to the mix.

4. Bathroom

Bathrooms are always light and clean (usually white), so its fun to incorporate some cute accents. I love the idea of a floral shower curtain with peach towels (to match my example) and a gold plated soap dish. Or if you have a glass shower, add a printed bath mat and some plants on the window sill.

5. Kitchen

I always feel that kitchens should be filled with those cute bowls, plates and silverware sets that fit you best! I found marble silverware from Urban, along with some cute bowl sets in all shades of blue from Anthropologie. It's simple, but brings out those earthy vibes. I am also seriously passionate about the homegrown mugs from Anthroplogie. These mugs allow different colors to be incorporated and bring a fun pattern into the mix. Lastly, funky hand towels make drying off those hands 100 percent better.

6. Lighting

As far as lights go, I love hanging lights around a space, not just because they're cute, but the softer lighting works better with tired eyes. I love single lights that hang with funky bulbs as seen in the first picture below. This lighting duo looks awesome over a bed or a couch even. When it comes to string lights in your bedroom, I believe small firefly lights work best. They look awesome hanging loosely over a head board or bordering a wall full of art! If you have high ceilings, a porch, or backyard (lucky you), caged string lights or globe string lights look picture perfect hung in a criss-cross-like fashion.

7. Art

Wall art is tricky because it honestly depends on you! Personally, I am always up for wall art from the Urban Outfitters apartment section. Their cool shots and colors make for the perfect addition to an artsy and earthy room. Finding old posters of bands is always a cool way to go. Black frames for posters are an easy find. Spray paint it white for a softer approach, or find a natural wooden frame for an earthier vibe. When it comes to something other than posters/pictures/paintings I have discovered the beauty of decorating with fake flowers. How cool would a flower wall be in an all white kitchen or on a wall in a living room that's looking super blah?! Its super inexpensive, and hey, you'll even find the flower edition of my pastel pink addiction coming to life below. A substitution for this 3D art would also be some funky wallpaper or a wall decal. I am in love with this cactus wallpaper seen below. The colors and rawness of it all is magic to my eyes. Lastly, geometric art is super cool in any space. I bought this brassy geometric set for my boyfriend a few months back and his room wouldn't be the same without these. Once again, I feel that art in your home should express you and your feels, so find what fits!

8. Living Items

Add plants! I am loving plants in a space. Plants always mellow me out and give me that "I'm one with the earth" kind of vibe. So naturally, I stock my rooms with as many plants I feel I can responsibly manage. Succulents are my go-to since they don't require a ton of attention. Find a cool pot and add some succulents. Place pot(s) on your coffee table on a fun patterned place mat with some fun books to stack, and voila! CUTE. Ferns are super pretty as well. Ferns come in clutch serving as that corner filler between your couch and the wall. Also, let your creativity flow! Buy some plain pots and go to town decorating those suckers! Personalizing anything makes your space that much more special.

Thanks for reading how I go about decorating my spaces. I am a super visual person and have found that when my spaces are decorated to my own idea of perfect, studying, working and even relaxing comes easier. Hope this works the same for you!