Buying your first home and moving in is one of the most stressful and exciting times.  At Key, we work closely with all of our Owner-Residents to ensure their moves are as smooth and seamless as possible. And we love that everyone can personalize their home that really makes it their own.

Here are some helpful tips to help you navigate decorating your Key home and making it your own.

Step 1: Measure your space

To kick off your planning, it is best to start with measuring your space. This will help you determine how large or small different pieces of furniture can be. Whether it’s the couch, bed or rug, you will want to ensure it is the perfect fit for your space.

Be sure to consider your needs for the space. Are there big pieces of furniture you can’t live without? By being intentional about how you want to decorate, and having an idea of what items will fit, you’ll be able to set up your space with ease.

It’s always a good idea to measure the square footage of your space – and even do tape outlines of  items you want in certain spaces on the floor – to get an idea of what your finished suite could look like. This will also help ensure you do not over-clutter your space.

Step 2: Hone your aesthetic

Consider your style. Think about what you want the room to look like. Get inspired by looking online or going to your local furniture store to get ideas. Whether your look is more modern, traditional, minimalist, industrial or boho, you have an opportunity to let your personality shine through.

Step 3: Plan your budget

Shopping for furnishings can be expensive and time-consuming. Although it’s not always fun to plan out a budget, it will give you comfort with what you can spend.

In addition to being intentional about your space and budget, you should also decide if you will need storage space and if you want to budget money for a dresser or closet organizer. If you intend to paint, how much paint will you need?  It’s important to ask yourselves questions like this during the budgeting process so you don’t have any financial surprises.

Step: 4 Time to Shop

Once you have decided on most of your ideal furnishings it’s time for the fun part, shopping!. This can be done online or in-store, depending on your preference. There are some great retailers focused on furniture for condos, so be sure to check them out.

Step 5: Decorate & Enjoy your Home!

Once you have your shopping complete, it’s time to decorate and enjoy your home. Think how great it will feel when you’re done and you can relax and take pride in the space that you’ve made your own.

At Key, we’re proud to be growing a diverse community of Owner-Residents. They’ve all been able to get on the property ladder and start owning many years sooner. All of our Owner-Residents bring something unique to our community, which they can express through the way they personalize their Key homes.

If you’re interested in learning more about Key’s model, you can learn how it works here and meet the Owner-Residents who have been co-owning their Key suites over the past year.