I can’t think of anything more exciting as a young woman than to move into her first apartment.  This is her time to shine and finally get to express her own decorating personality without much of momma’s influence.

MacKenzie has thoroughly enjoyed her experience this year as she moved into an apartment with three other girls off of South Carolina’s campus this year.  I loved the already furnished set-up:  four bedrooms each with their own full bath and oversized closet, a common living room, laundry closet, kitchen and breakfast nook.  This kind of set-up allows each of the girls to decorate their own space to fit their personalities!

How cool is that?!

While working forty hours a week all summer, MacKenzie planned and saved to make her space entirely hers or at least as much as the rules for an apartment rental will allow.  I love her choices and thought I would give you a peak at my college girl’s budget friendly decorating skills.

On move-in day, MacKenzie put her Dad and I to work immediately with rearranging furniture.  She had a vision already in mind as she took notes while on her tour before signing the lease back in the spring.  Each bedroom contained a bed, nightstand, desk and 2 dressers that could be stacked if desired.  She wanted her dressers side-by-side in the closet for the duel purpose of clothing storage and a shoe rack.  The addition of wire shelving worked perfectly for storing jeans, blankets and towels.

Bedding was her largest purchased.  As an avid on-line shopper, MacKenzie scoured website after website and settled on this feminine set from JC Penney.  Gone are the neon colors of high school and onto something a little more mature, like pink and grey paisley.

Grey curtains were chosen as to coordinate with the spread and were purchased at Target.

For decorating, MacKenzie went with a lot of personal touches like framed pictures, including a college she put together on Shutterfly.com of those closest to her.

The rustic touches were found at Target.  She chose a motivational sign to go over her bed with coordinating storage to hang beside her desk to help keep her organized.

The cute little print beside the desk came from Steve McKenzie’s Lifestyle Store in Atlanta.

{You HAVE to visit sometime!  Steve McKenzie’s carries the most wonderful everything for your home!  And most of the items are from local/southern artists!}

Audley took care of hanging curtain rods and pictures, adding anchors where needed so keep heavy things from falling. We left her a picture hanging kit and a few necessary tools like screwdrivers and a hammer for when she is ready to add to her walls.

Getting all dressed up is an essential part of a young woman’s routine, so MacKenzie created her a little nook for getting ready each day.  Lights around a full-length mirror (propped up on a crate that’s been painted with chalk paint and waxed) add the perfect touch of whimsy.

Her cute little cart was her first ever flea market purchase after a visit to Scott’s Antique Market in Atlanta. Displaying her cosmetics and jewelry, this little cart was such a handy addition to the space.

We used decorative glass vases from Hobby Lobby to hold cosmetic essentials such as brushes, liners and mascaras, and plenty of lipstick.  Another painted crate (smaller than the one holding her mirror) holds her eye shadows, foundations and blushes, then slides inside the larger crate to keep an organized space.

When you have an artsy sister, decor for the bath and living room came easy.  Madeline painted a gorgeous Lily Pulitzer inspired canvas to brighten MacKenzie’s bath, which was also decorated in pink (towels & accessories) and grey (shower curtain & rugs).

Madeline then painted a monogram piece for each of the roomies to hang in the living room.

I loved watching MacKenzie reveal her own decorating style in her space.

If she can organize and pull together a small space so nicely I can’t wait to see what she can do with a larger space!