I Decorated a 760-Square-Foot Apartment — Here's What Was Worth Buying

As soon as I found this beach print of Riomaggiore on Urban Outfitters, I knew I wanted to center our living room around it. My boyfriend and I love the ocean, but it's also on our bucket list to take a Mediterranean vacation together and visit the beaches in Italy. This was the start to the whole scene, and we collected affordable essentials around it, like our coffee table from Overstock and shag rug from HomeGoods.

Tessa Neustadt Rio Maggiore Art Print ($19 to $399)

H&M Slub Weave Cushion Cover ($10)

H&M Velvet Cushion Cover ($10)

Society 6 Simply Vertical Stripes in White Gold Sands Throw Pillow ($39)

Society 6 Zest Throw Pillow ($30)

Society 6 Sapphire Blue Throw Blanket ($80)

We loved that this black and white coffee table came with trays, since our apartment isn't exactly big enough to fit a table. On one, I displayed some old shells I had collected over the years, and on the other, an adorable set of coasters and candles from Kate Spade.

The Gray Barn Elsinora Black Coffee Table With Serving Trays ($195)

Kate Spade New York Charles Lane Indigo Coaster Set With Holder ($50)

Kate Spade New York Charles Lane Indigo Votives, Set of 3 ($50)

I had a bunch of coffee table books at home, but I wanted to mix in my boyfriend's hobbies, too. If your guy loves the Yankees, this commemorative Derek Jeter book is one of my favorites. I think I even enjoy flipping through it as much as my fashion-focused ones.

Influence: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen ($34)

Jeter Unfiltered ($9, originally $28)

Grace: A Memoir by Grace Coddington ($17)

We found a TV stand from Walmart that came with a built-in mount! That was a major save, since it costs even more money to buy mounting materials. Since this is where my boyfriend plays video games and watches ESPN, I thought it would be cool for him to frame his keepsakes from golf tournaments he's attended over the years. I bought a mini blanket ladder on Etsy to keep things balanced on the right side of the TV, and I found that wicker planter at a garage sale for just $10!

Walker Edison Black Wood TV Console With Mount and Multi Purpose Storage ($227)

Etsy 3' Rustic Wooden Blanket Ladder ($10)

Nope, we don't have a dinner table or frankly any room for one, and that's OK. Since we didn't have to buy a full dining set, I thought it was important to search for bar stools that were not only comfortable — we'd always be eating at the counter! — but also the perfect height. This proved to be a challenge, but I lucked out at Kohl's.

Safavieh Thompson Bar Stool ($292, originally $390)

I found hand soap and dish washing soap dispensers I loved at HomeGoods, and if you couldn't tell, I like lemons and bright pops of color. I completed my set at TJMaxx with this adorable ceramic canister (we keep our sugar packets in there). The curtains across the way let the light in when the sun is setting. Those are from Anthropologie, and they also remind me of the beach, which is why I knew I had to have them.

Blue Sky Clayworks Lemon Canister ($15, originally $20)

Anthropologie Milly Curtain ($118-$148)

Originally, we bought this circular frame at ModCloth to hang in the bedroom. I printed out black and white photos of those who remind of us most of home — our friends and family. When we couldn't find the right place for it, we decided to hang it by our wine rack and stove, which is where the best homecooked meals start, so it seemed fitting.

ModCloth Round Here Frame in White ($45)

Blue Sky Clayworks Lemon Salt and Pepper Set ($5, originally $8)

Believe it or not, we don't have a hall closet! Oh, the horror. But we ended up searching on Amazon for hooks and storage space, and this piece was only $139! It was the perfect place for me to set my handmade wooden conch shell that I picked up at a market in Haiti when I was on vacation with my boyfriend's family. We throw our keys there as soon as we walk in the door.

Home Accent Furnishings New 72-Inch Tall Hall Tree ($139)

I wanted to work with a navy blue and dusty rose color scheme in the bedroom. I'm not sure why, but The Breakfast Club movie poster popped right into my head when I was pinning bedding ideas on Pinterest. It ties our decor together in here, and I got it for a great price on eBay, then found a wooden frame on Etsy. I fell in love with a splurge-worthy Donna Karan Home duvet, and I'm big on texture, so I added even more velvet with the help of totally affordable throw pillows from Forever 21 and H&M!

Donna Karan Ocean Duvet Cover ($400)

Comfy Deal Blue Soft Silky Satin Pillowcases ($7)

Forever 21 Round Velvet Throw Pillow ($15)

H&M Velvet Cushion Cover ($10)

Craig Frames Whitewashed Wood Picture Frame ($29)

We scored our dressers on Wayfair. The furniture set is really nice, it's affordable, and it plays up the rustic vibes in the bedroom. My Andy Warhol prints are treasures I've kept forever. They go wherever I go. My boyfriend and I have an inside joke about how I am very bad at geography even though I love to travel, so I bought him a globe at HomeGoods. There are similar ones you can shop at Anthropologie in three different shades that I love.

Zipcode Design Chicopee Wood Four-Drawer Chest ($167, originally $309)

Anthropologie Decorative Globe ($38)

If you don't already know about the home collection at Urban Outfitters, you're missing out. My favorite essentials from the site include the bedding and the shower curtains, which are quirky and cute. This fresh print combined the blue and pink color scheme and oceanic vibes all over our apartment.

Urban Outfitters Beach Scene Shower Curtain ($29, originally $39)

To create more space in my closet, I put my shoe rack above the bar, where there's actually tons of storage space. And here's a handy tip: you can buy wooden rods at Home Depot to install however you like and create more hanging space. The second bar, which travels from back to front, wasn't there when we moved in!

Know anyone who's moving? If you take a scroll through Facebook, you can easily find people selling furniture in the Marketplace. We came across a family friend who was giving away knickknacks and awesome furniture, this metal liquor table included. Scroll to see which fruit is etched into the surface.

Pineapples!