Looking for first apartment decor with boyfriend ideas that leave room for both your styles? Think framed photos by the door, a spot for your records and a living room you’re both excited to come home to.
There’s plenty to work with, whether you love neutral colors or something brighter.
You can keep it simple or go all out. Start with a room you want to tackle together, then choose a few personal details.
Those little touches deserve just as much attention as the sofa!
First apartment decorating ideas to try together
rounded tables and neutral seating
We’re starting off strong with this pretty gray sectional and rounded cream chair. I love the two dark coffee tables sitting together in the middle.
If you want to follow this look, keep your larger furniture in neutral shades. Add a tall leafy plant beside the chair for a little green.
Read also: 20 Year Round Fireplace Mantel Decor Ideas to Make Your Own
a photo frame for your keys
How cute is this? A little black-and-white photo sits inside a wide brown frame, with two sets of keys hanging underneath.
For your first apartment with boyfriend decor, try putting a favorite photo together with a practical detail like this. Give each set of keys its own hook near the door.
Read also: 20 Apartment Decor for Couples Ideas to Make Your Space Feel Like Yours
a wall full of favorites
I am obsessed with this gallery wall. The pennant, record, cowboy hat and framed pictures make such a fun mix above the pale sofa.
Try choosing a few things from each of your collections instead of buying everything to match. That little oval mirror is a lovely addition too.
a desk corner with colorful posters
Want your computer setup to feel like part of the living room? This desk sits beside the window with plants on either side and colorful framed posters above.
Read also: 20 Bedroom Vanity Ideas With Pretty Mirrors and Clever Storage
I especially love the orange glow behind the screen. Try a small accent light near your own desk if you want a similar evening look.
books below and album covers above
This is such a cute way to show off your books and music together. The cube shelves are filled with books, while six album covers hang in neat rows above.
Leave some space on top for your record player and a little lamp. The pink tulips are a pretty finishing touch.
green plants and a record corner
If you love plants, this living room gives you plenty of inspo. There are pots along the window, taller plants beside the sofa and trailing leaves hanging from the shelf.
Read also: 20 Blanket Wall Decor Ideas and Details to Inspire Your Display
The green pillow is my favorite little detail. Try one on a cream sofa to bring that same color into your seating.
a little coffee station
How adorable is this coffee corner? The machine sits beside a tiered organizer with syrup bottles above and little ingredient jars below.
Give your mugs a spot on the shelf overhead if your kitchen layout allows it. I love the trailing plant beside the stacked cups.
yellow seating and orange lamps
This yellow sofa may just be one of my favorites here. The curved floor lamp with its orange shade is so good beside it.
If you want a similar look, pair your colorful seating with a clear coffee table and a black accent chair. Keep a few records underneath the table like this.
dark walls and oversized throws
Don’t want an all-white living room? No problem! This room goes dark with charcoal walls, a matching sectional and a pale rug underneath.
I love the large looped throws draped over the seating. The framed landscape pictures and little lamps are worth saving for inspiration too.
plants throughout an open apartment
There’s so much green in this apartment, from the hanging pots at the windows to the vines over the kitchen opening. The mustard-yellow throw on the sofa is such a pretty extra touch.
You don’t have to fill every corner at once. Start with a few plants suited to your light, then leave room to add more.
a golden sofa and green chair
I am obsessed with this color combination. The golden sectional and rounded green chair look so cute together, especially with that orange pillow.
Try bringing a little of the chair’s color onto your sofa with a green throw. The one here is draped right over the chaise.
matching photo key holders
This is another sweet photo idea, but each set of keys gets its own frame this time. I love the striped backgrounds around the tiny black-and-white pictures.
Choose two frames with similar colors if you want to recreate the pair. They don’t have to be exactly alike.
red roses on the dinner table
Want to dress up your table for a night in? This round table has red roses in the center, scattered petals and candles between the two place settings.
You could use flameless candles for your own version. Keep the flowers as the main decoration rather than filling the whole table.
a movie above the books
Who needs another piece of wall art when you can put a movie up there? This setup has a black-and-white film projected above rows of stacked books.
The flowers and tall red candle make the room feel ready for a night in. If you’re trying a projector, leave a clear patch of wall above your shelves.
black and white in a small loft
If you are looking for a simple color scheme, this one is for you. A white sofa faces a narrow black coffee table, with a pale patterned rug underneath.
I love how the black mirror frame repeats the dark staircase and loft railing. Try carrying one accent color through your apartment in the same way.
side-by-side desks
How cute is this shared setup? Two screens sit along one desk area, with a drawer unit in the middle and matching white chairs.
The shelves above leave space for little figures, headphones and framed art. Pick a few display pieces each so the corner reflects both of you.
a sports gallery above the sofa
The sports fans are going to love this! Instead of sticking to framed prints, this wall mixes rackets, basketballs, bats and a framed jersey.
The navy pillows look so pretty against the white sectional. Try pulling a color from your own memorabilia into the cushions.
cream bedding and little lights
Don’t want to add lots of color to your bedroom? No problem there!
This bed has layers of cream and pale gray, with chunky loops and ridged pillows adding plenty of detail.
I especially love the little lights running along the wall corner. Keep your bedside artwork small if you want to follow this look.
a balcony movie spot
This balcony setup is just too cute. The gray corner seating faces a laptop on a little white table, with round string lights hanging against dark screens.
A separate table holds the snacks and drinks. If you’re trying this outside, choose lighting and furniture rated for the conditions on your balcony.
colorful concert ticket art
Last but definitely not least, we have this colorful ticket-style print in a black frame. I love the pink, green and blue designs together!
For your own version, frame tickets you’ve saved or choose artwork featuring bands you both like. It’s a lovely way to give your bedroom a personal detail.
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And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Isabella