YOU, ONLY BETTER

9 Condo Must-Haves For The Cosmo Girl

Will you finally get your own place in 2010? Celeste Perron, author of Playing House, clues you in everything a girl needs in her own pad.
Posted on January 19, 2010 06:00 pm by Cosmopolitan
Photo: L'Appartement Courtesy of Cinemien

1. Real dishes and wineglasses. Without an eight-piece matching set, a party that was intended to be posh can seem more like a picnic. Wineglasses also don't have to cost a lot--in fact, they shouldn't, because you'll break at least one at every fun gathering you host. Chic stemless glasses can help with that.

2. Mirrors. Hung on any empty wall, mirrors expand your space visually. Plus, according to feng shui experts, they circulate energy in a positive way.

3. A piece of art you love. It doesn't matter if it comes from a pricey gallery, a street fair, or your own camera; it will look great on your wall because it expresses your style. To look upscale, mat the image on thick paper with a three-inch border between the print and the frame.

4. Multipurpose tables. Nesting (or stackable) tables are great if you're short on space. When you're entertaining, spread them around the room for guests to rest drinks and snacks on. Then when the party's over, stack them back up.

5. Soft, plush towels. Turkish cotton is the best because it's so absorbent. Match your towels with your shower curtain, bath mat, and soap dish.

6. Stylish pillows. Bright, punchy pillows will add a flash of color or design to an otherwise muted room. Since they're so versatile, they're perfect for trendy girls who like to change the look of their pad without spending a bundle.

7. A dreamy bedspread. The fluffiest comforters and duvets have what's called baffle-box construction, which keeps them evenly thick and warm. Look for a cover made of Egyptian cotton with a thread count of at least 250.

8. A well-stocked home bar. So you'll always be prepared for impromptu gatherings: two bottles of booze (vodka plus a brown liquor), club soda, juice for mixing, and a few bottles of good, inexpensive wine. For white, try a pinot grigio and a South African sauvignon blanc; for reds, go with a Cotes du Rhone and a Spanish rioja.

9. A matching pair. It can be a couple of chairs, lamps, vases, whatever. A set makes your place look well-decorated because it creates symmetry, which instantly pulls a room together.

Follow Cosmopolitan Philippines on Facebook and Twitter!

Read comments [46] | Fave this post | < Previous Post | Next Post > |

Rating:

0 out of 5 Number of Votes: 0 |

Print | Email

Tags: tips,home,essentials,house,condo,living,living alone,lists,condominium,home decor,pad,real estate,lifestyle,own place

lalabong

46. I remember when I was leaving alone in my college days... I love being independent.
March 10, 2010 at 10:56 am report abuse
fishbowl84

45. i cant wait to have a place of my own!
February 11, 2010 at 12:06 am report abuse
handpaintedsky

44. of everything...
February 10, 2010 at 11:54 pm report abuse
miss_techylicious

43. A matching pair. - our mugs, plates and slippers.
February 10, 2010 at 11:49 pm report abuse
miss_techylicious

42. A matching pair. - our mags.
February 10, 2010 at 11:49 pm report abuse
miss_techylicious

41. Stylish pillows. - maybe this will help me go to sleep.
February 10, 2010 at 11:48 pm report abuse
miss_techylicious

40. bookmarked. thanks cosmo.
February 10, 2010 at 11:48 pm report abuse
summerinparis128

39. living in a condo is the best,hassle free living!
February 10, 2010 at 08:49 pm report abuse
summerinparis128

38. a multipurpose table.haha.totally agree!
February 10, 2010 at 08:49 pm report abuse
miss_techylicious

37. i love all these tips. very handy.
February 04, 2010 at 10:10 am report abuse
ecang12

36. 36. dreamy bedspread is a must.. for a goodnight's sleep!:)
February 02, 2010 at 11:42 am report abuse
handpaintedsky

35. thanks for sharing this list! :)
February 02, 2010 at 08:46 am report abuse
donnaportia

34. hmm.. we have no wineglasses yet =)
February 01, 2010 at 10:48 pm report abuse
chinky_baguette

33. the prices are reasonable
January 29, 2010 at 05:44 pm report abuse
elzy

32. thanks for the tips!
January 28, 2010 at 09:59 pm report abuse
casebats

31. hmmm.... im gonna buy sexy pillow na
January 28, 2010 at 05:55 am report abuse
shirleylim26

30. another tip would be Microwave, yes microwave. You can cook anything using this one. Most especially if you are too tired to cook.
January 26, 2010 at 02:12 pm report abuse
sam_elisse

29. thanks for the tips.. I think i will start to renovate my room... New Year! new Style! new life!
January 26, 2010 at 06:12 am report abuse
Mrs. Kolca

28. thanks for the tips.. we are moving to a new unit, so i'm considering some new design :)
January 25, 2010 at 11:20 pm report abuse
Giell

27. It would be great to have a unit.
January 25, 2010 at 03:46 pm report abuse
Myrajoy

26. I wish i can have my own pad..
January 25, 2010 at 03:30 pm report abuse
reeya

25. very helpful.tnx
January 24, 2010 at 10:05 am report abuse
sonncza

24. must haves for me: lamp shade, clear shoe boxes, a mix and match plates, thow pillows and bedspreads and pillow case
January 24, 2010 at 09:22 am report abuse
krayzie

23. multi purpose tables are a great idea saves you the trouble of having too many tables
January 23, 2010 at 07:00 pm report abuse
prettylass8831

22. I love fancy looking pillows. They look great in a room.
January 23, 2010 at 03:29 pm report abuse
donnaportia

21. hmm... After reading this article I'm thinking of adding a nice painting on our wall. And If I have time I'll paint a lovely view. =)
January 23, 2010 at 01:58 pm report abuse
miss_techylicious

20. oh update, brought this very nice mirror for our flat. thanks for the tip! =)
January 22, 2010 at 07:30 pm report abuse
lanzpacute

19. love ko yung marami ding abubot sa bahay.
January 22, 2010 at 03:41 pm report abuse
amie1985

18. i lurv it!
January 22, 2010 at 10:50 am report abuse
xelynne

17. yeah, mirrors, i can't live without them! haha..great ideas!thanks cosmo!
January 22, 2010 at 08:21 am report abuse
fishbowl84

16. this would also work in a house!! nice job cosmo :) i will be adding new features in our humble abode :)
January 21, 2010 at 02:09 pm report abuse
SkyMac

15. Thanks for the tip... Now my husband and I has an idea on what to add in our crib...
January 21, 2010 at 01:39 pm report abuse
jayn000

14. afetr i graduate i ,ake sure i have a condo features like this.. ;)
January 21, 2010 at 10:49 am report abuse
myles_away

13. you may also want to stock some scented candles and oil to set a romantic or relaxing mood.
January 21, 2010 at 10:47 am report abuse
shirleylim26

12. love living in a condo!
January 21, 2010 at 10:33 am report abuse
salmoncat

11. just a room to myself: mirrors? triple check, multipurpose tables? check, soft plush towels? check, stylish pillows? check, dreamy bedspread? check, well-stocked home bar? (my sister is an hrm grad) check, matching pair? check, real dishes and wine glasses (again, hrm sister) check, a piece of art you love? does a huge Neon Genesis Evangelion poster count?
January 21, 2010 at 10:33 am report abuse
cardegz

10. interesting topic! nice tips...:-)
January 21, 2010 at 09:57 am report abuse
sonncza

9. next article naman sana how to organize a small space.. at mga organizers na worthy investments
January 21, 2010 at 09:10 am report abuse
toughgurl

8. i'll copy this and make it as a future guide. thanks Cosmo!=)
January 21, 2010 at 12:26 am report abuse
shirleylim26

7. Team Cosmo, thank you so much for this wonderful tips!
January 20, 2010 at 11:28 pm report abuse
alec311

6. wow salamat sa mga tips. malaking tulong to!
January 20, 2010 at 10:48 pm report abuse
lizbenetua

5. Thanks for the tips. I will be glad to consider the ideas here
January 20, 2010 at 02:49 pm report abuse
prettylass8831

4. Hope to have my own condo someday.
January 20, 2010 at 08:56 am report abuse
alizey

3. LIKE
January 20, 2010 at 01:56 am report abuse
retz

2. Thanks for the tips.
January 20, 2010 at 01:47 am report abuse
summerinparis128

1. nice tips.better fill my space w/ this stuff :)
January 19, 2010 at 08:45 pm report abuse