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2012 Spring Housing GuidePage 12 | Ka Leo | Monday, April 23 2012 Features@kaleo.org | Maria Kanai Editor |Alvin Park Associate

KARLEANNE MATTHEWS

Chief Copy Editor

There are clear financial ad-vantages to renting a furnished apartment. Large furniture piec-es, such as beds and couches, are not only expensive but difficult to move. But living in a furnished apartment can feel like staying in someone else’s space. Here are some ways to take advantage of the practicality of a furnished place while adding personal touches at minimal cost.

SWITCH UP THE LAYOUT Don’t think you have to leave all the furniture where it was when you arrived. Arrange what’s there to suit your individual preferences and needs. Keep adjusting the lay-out for the fi rst week or two that you live in the space; you’ll fi nd out over time that you need a lit-tle more space in that spot where you’re always bumping your shins,

or that you don’t use that one cup-board as much as you thought and it’s fi ne to partially block it with a chair. And the best part of chang-ing the furniture arrangement is that it’s a completely free way to transform your space.

ADD SMALL FURNITURE You may not want to replace a couch or table (because of cost or hassle), but consider adding smaller pieces such as book-shelves, nightstands, a coffee table or a desk. If you’re willing to look online or at discount stores, you can fi nd these items for $20 or less each. This will allow you to put your personal spin on the apartment’s look, while also mak-ing sure the space is functional for your needs. If you’re concerned about having too many furniture styles in a small space, choose simple designs that can appear al-most like a set: for example, black wood items with clean lines.

CHANGE SOFT F INISHINGS You can make a big impact (at a small cost) with fabrics. Spruce up a tired design with fresh bedding, curtains and couch pillows (browse stores such as Ross for an eclectic se-lection). Bright rugs and new f loor mats can add color, and even buying new towels for the bathroom can help personalize what is generally a bland space. If you’re handy with a sew-ing machine, consider buying fabric to make items for several dif ferent rooms to keep a cohe-sive feel. Also think about modi-fying existing furniture pieces; for example, I used some inex-pensive faux leather and a thin piece of cardboard to make a simple black topper for a rattan dresser that came in my apart-ment but isn’t really my style.

Save cash with a furnished apartmentSave cash with a furnished apartmentStrategies for making your furnished apartment feel like home

See Finish, next pageKARLEANNE MATTHEWS / KA LEO O HAWAI‘I

4-24-12HOUSING FAIRHOUSING FAIR

9 a.m. TO 2 p.m.

In front of Hemenway

Hall and Ka Leo

• Kama’aina scholarship available for KCC students• 100% student housing• Convenient to campus• Maid service• Fully furnished• All utilities, cable and internet included808.922.4661 • leasing@hawaiistudenthousing.org

The off-campus housing choice for UH students!

2012 Spring Housing GuidePage 13 | Ka Leo | Monday, April 23 2012Features@kaleo.org | Maria Kanai Editor |Alvin Park Associate

DON T FORGET ART One of the easiest ways to show your personality is through the artwork you select for your apartment. Whether you’re into paintings bought from a gallery or sports posters, buy some simple frames to feature your favorites. Finally, fi nish your decorating off with some photos of your friends and loved ones to make sure the apartment truly feels like home.

Finish it offfrom previous page

KARLEANNE MATTHEWS / KA LEO O HAWAI‘I

�• Rearranged furniture (free)

�• Desk ($40)

�• Topper for dresser ($5)

�• Sheer curtains ($5)

�• Curtain tiebacks ($2)

�• Bedding ($60)

�• Bed risers ($10)

�• Bedside lamps ($20)

�• Painting ($20)

�• Personal photos (free)

Total cost: $162

IN THIS ROOM