How to determine your wants from your needs when setting up a new apartment

Whether your new apartment resides in a restored historic property or a contemporary new build, establishing a stylish and well-functioning home should be an exercise in needs versus wants.

“Generally the items you need to live are the non-negotiables like beds, a sofa, white goods and linens,” says interior stylist Emma Blomfield. “Wants are more the decorative and luxe touches like art, rugs, sideboards and big screen TV.”

Distinguishing between the two is essential when prioritising your spend.

“Differentiating between what is needed to be comfortable and what we desire, allows us to set goals and work towards our want list,” says Michelle Hart from Bask Interiors. “Decide if you can live without each item temporarily or indefinitely. A refrigerator, for example, is essential for keeping food fresh and cool for consumption, so it is a need. A coffee machine is considered by many a need, but if there is cafe nearby, it could go on the want list. Every individual and situation is different.”

New apartment needs

Big-ticket items

The prerequisites for day-to-day living include beds, a sofa, a dining table and chairs, a stove and refrigerator.

Task lighting

High quality lighting in the bedroom, kitchen, office and living room, necessary for reading, cooking or studying.

Kitchen equipment

Essential tableware including crockery, cutlery, flatware and glasses. Cooking must-haves like a toaster, kettle, cutting board, sharp knives, pots, pans, and basic cooking utensils including wooden spoons, spatula, can opener and measuring cups.

Window treatments 

Blinds, curtains or shutters, along with window hardware, required for privacy, blocking out light, and security purposes.​

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Having all the essential kitchen equipment is vital. Photo: Nikole Ramsay for E&S Trading. Style and Design: Michelle Hart

Storage

Smart storage solutions including clear compartmental boxes, baskets and tubs, and freestanding and built-in cabinetry.

Household linen

Bed linen including mattress protectors, sheet sets, pillows and quilts, bath towels, table linen and tea towels.

New apartment wants

Entertainment equipment

New-fangled technology and devices like a big screen television or surround sound system.

Ambience lighting

Dimmer switches for existing down lights, or light fixtures that provide an ambient glow like a decorative chandelier, pendants and ornamental lamps.

Floor Rugs

Hall runners, nubby sisal rugs, and Persian carpets that add colour, texture and flair.

Greenery

Lush green indoor foliage and orchids presented in pots or on plant stands.​

Indoor foliage really brings a room together. Photo: Suzi Appel for Bask Interiors. Style and Design: Michelle Hart. 

Statement furniture

Non-essentials that provide stylish impact, like a leather-covered chair, sleek glass coffee table, velvet ottoman or antique console.​

Specialty kitchen items

Non-essentials that make cooking easier, like a chef’s knife block, microplane, oil can, citrus squeeze and mezzaluna.

Home Decor

Beautiful finishing touches like ceramics, artwork, luxe cushions, cashmere throws, and glossy coffee table tomes.

Well-considered and savvy spending is a clever way of ticking off items on both lists and sneaking in some of those much-needed wants.

“Sell some of your unwanted things on Local Buy or Gumtree so you can purchase more of your want items,” says Hart.

Be thrifty, hitting secondhand stores for vintage furniture and objects of desire like damask tablecloths, lampshades, antique rugs, old watercolours and vintage lampshades.

“Frame fabrics or posters in inexpensive frames,” says Hart. “Instead of buying plants, take plant cuttings from friends and root them in jars to add greenery to your home without the cost. There’s always a way. As the Rolling Stones say, ‘you can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need’.”