by Sarah Ip

Hello, ladies!  So you’ve finally secured an apartment for next year.  No more dorm life for you.  But here’s the catch: you’ll need lots of supplies.  For instance, no longer does the maintenance lady come in at 8 a.m. to scrub your bathrooms and vacuum down the floors.   Nope, my friend, these lovely cleaning tasks now have your name on them.  Chances are, whether or not you have roommates, you’re going to need some essential items to make your new pad more of a customized crib, and not an empty hotel room.

Feeling overwhelmed with your newfound decorating responsibility?  Don’t stress, I’ve found a handy apartment packing checklist.  Just print it out and go.  Luckily for you, I’ve scoped out the merchandise and checked out the latest in apartment wares (on a budget, of course).  Read on for a breakdown of the schnazziest furniture and home goods that won’t force you to take out more student loans. 

 

 

Thrift stores and consignment shops

These are excellent for home goods, jewelry and art - just make sure you sniff out the quality first.

Amvets Thrift Store – Allston (80 Brighton Ave., 617-562-0720)
Boomerangs – Brighton (298 Washington St., 617-787-0500)
Goodwill – locations in Cambridge, South Boston, Somerville, Quincy
Hadassah Bargain Spot – Boston (1123 Commonwealth Ave., 617-254-8300)
Oona’s – Cambridge (1210 Massachusetts Ave., 617-491-2654)
Thrift Shop of Boston – Boston (15 Corinth St., 617-325-5300)
Urban Renewals – Allston (122 Brighton Ave., 617-783-8387)

 

 

Check out these items on sale at Crate & Barrel's CB2 . 

 

Buddha heads - $9.95 each

For that extra kitschy oomph, in black or olivine.  Purely for aesthetic purposes.  Made of painted resin.

inzhan dinnerware $1.95 - $3.95

Mandarin characters in dynasty-red blocks on glazed black stoneware receive my "inzhan" (translation: "personal stamp") of approval.

 

 

Be careful with these.  The merchandise sold on websites like Ebay and Craigslist can be sketchy at times, so be sure you read up on the quality ratings of the merchant.  Amazon’s a pretty good bet for electronic goods such as toasters and fans, although sometimes it helps to see merchandise in person to spot defects and personal preferences.  Consider this rice cooker for your glutinous needs. 

Look for key words like “unopened” and “new.”  If you have any questions about a particular item’s condition, it’s a good idea to contact the seller for pictures and more details.  The upside is that the turnaround for new merch is quick – new things are posted all the time, so scan the headlines for that quirky table or sofa that will complete your collection.


Anthropologie sale

 

Here's what's on sale at Anthropologie :

 

Pebbled Glasses - glass tumbler – amber – $3.95

 
Color Wheel Mugs – stackable stoneware – in a spectrum of colors: yellow, red, green, lime, orange, pink, blue - $2.95


Bed, Bath and Beyond

 

Bed, Bath and Beyond is great for bedding, bath accessories and personal electronics, ranging from fans to hair dryers.  Check out the store locator for locations in Boston, Dorchester and Somerville.

 

 

Three Piece Place Setting – white - $1.95 each

This lunch trio includes a small soup bowl and accompanying square plate, along with a large plate for sandwiches or salad.  And for a buck ninety-five, you really can’t beat these prices.  Made of durable white porcelain for everyday use.

Travel Alarm Clock with Picture Frame - $12.95

Now you won’t have to leave dear Cleo or Max at home -- insert a picture of your beloved next to the alarm clock function, which includes the time, date, day and temperature.  Blue back-lighting makes the time easy to spot in the dark, and the compact size folds for transporting. 

 

 

Ikea is another budget-conscious store, only with a European feel.  Be aware however, that the prices are so affordable because you often have to assemble the furniture yourself.  But if handyman duties don’t deter you, by all means, give Ikea a shot.  The nearest Massachusetts is in Stoughton (1 IKEA Way, 781-344-IKEA) – a good 20 miles away from Boston.  So be prepared to drive.

Target

 

Target is the one-stop shopping center for all of your personal needs, including kitchen utensils, sheets, luggage, toiletry products and more.  It’s definitely worth a trip to Somerville (180 Somerville Ave., 617-776-4036) to stock up on the essentials for cheap.  Browse Target’s clearance racks for some first-rate steals.  Their regular prices are inexpensive, too.

 

Rice Paper Lantern Floor Lamp - $29.99

This is one steel metal floor lamp that will be sure to steal the spotlight (no pun intended).  Designed in the shape of a rice paper lantern, this lamp has a ribbed cylindrical shade that curves beautifully in the middle.


Urban Outfitters

Miss A Kit - $18

Now you don’t have to settle for the usual Swiss Army knife in red.  This is the ideal version for the girl-on-the-go, with thoughtful gadgets such as a flashlight, keychain, needle and thread, perfume bottle, mirror, pillbox, knife, bottle opener and more!  Best of all, it easily fits into a handbag or back pocket.

Printed Bubble Umbrella - $12.99
 
Perhaps inspired by Rihanna, the black lace print is sure to stand out in the crowd of generic umbrellas.  You can feel free to practice the “Umbrella” moves…or just use it for what it’s meant to do: ward off rain and snow.

Micro Terrarium $6.00

Okay, so you’re not allowed to have any furry critters running around your room.  But that doesn’t mean you can’t take care of a pet.  A pet plant, that is.  Grow your own herbs!  You can also choose from polka dotted plants, clovers, cacti, brain-shaped flowers or a Venus flytrap.

Super 88
You can find some cheap kitchenware at Super 88 in Allston (1 Brighton Ave., 617-787-2288), like tea infusers, chopsticks, bowls and more.