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Here’s the thing about moving: it stinks. And when you’re moving around the country in your little Toyota Corolla, you can’t drag along things like furniture with you every time you relocate, and it hardly seems cost-effective to bother renting a U-Haul for my $80 Ikea bed (bought secondhand on craigslist) and my falling apart $40 (again, Ikea via craigslist) dresser. Since I’m hoping that this time, the move will be at least a little more permanent, I’d ideally like to style up my apartment a little bit more. Here are some of the pieces I’m leaning toward!

Ikea Trysil – My old bed was a MALM, and I liked it, but it always felt a little low to the ground. This frame has higher legs, and I like the sleek lines of it.

Ikea Knopparp – This couch would be better in black, but I like the lines of it too. Seems like it would be really comfortable and hug you. Eventually I might just want to get a sleeper sofa, but this will be a good start.

Three-piece dining set – Instead of having an indoor dining table, I’m just going to get a patio set and turn the dining room into an office.

Crosley Turntable – It’s definitely time for a record player upgrade in my life.

Macbook Pro – I have some ideas popping around in my head that involve needing to be more mobile and have a faster computer. My old 2008 Macbook Classic is fine for reading and blogging bed, but it’s not apropos for meetings anymore.

Sisters of Los Angeles Rocks glasses – I will probably live without real plates and dishes for awhile (I have two plates, lots of tupperware and cooking accessories), but I deeply want a new set of nice glasses. The theme of my apartment is going to be travel, decorated with photos and reminders of my vacations. (Probably the last thing that my wanderlust needs, but I love the idea.)

So this is my wishlist! I’m hoping to score a lot of furniture over time on craigslist, and I’m thinking about getting a bigger TV. I know I don’t need it, but I’m starting to feel like I might be the kind of person who needs those kinds of home comforts to really feel settled (and also, that I’m the kind of person who needs to feel settled.)

What tips do you have for decorating and furnishing a new place on a budget?