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One of the major issues in interior decorating of single-living apartments is space or lack thereof. This problem can be solved by a few tricks of mere illusion.

Forget over-stuffed sofa and chairs and try to go for furniture with simple and clean lines. Use tables with clear glass for extra surface space while de-emphasizing clutter. You can also arrange existing furniture so that they don't block views to doors and windows. Doing so would minimize the feel of smallness.

A warm clutter-free wall can also give an illusion of more space. Paint a single wall with a warm solid color such as berry and wine. Put up one or two striking well-proportioned wall pieces instead of small art pieces that can only clutter your wall.

You can also use plants as the focus of your room. You can use tall narrow plants like bamboos stems anchored by rocks in a large terracotta pot.

You may not be the green-thumb type but a little green in your little abode can surely add to make it feel more like home. Living in the city is not an excuse not to have some greenery around. Although of course, if you are indeed contemplating to start a small garden of your own, be sure that you are committed to the idea. Plants, like all living things, need TLC and being too busy is not an excuse to forgetting to water them. However, if you feel that you can live up to the responsibility, then you'll be rewarded of the certain benefits of urban gardening. How?

1. Plants help beautify the surroundings. Seeing colorful blooms can help divert the monotony of the drab grey of the urban landscape.

2. Plants help purify the air. Forget about inhaling the usual city smog by seeking some oxygen break around your mini-garden.

3. Gardening is relaxing. It's one fine way to help reduce the urban-living stress.

I know the feeling of part excitement and part anxiety when finally moving out of the 'rents' house. For once, you know you'll have all the freedom you've been craving since you've hit the teen mark, but at the same time there is that twinge of worry about the responsibilities that comes with independent living you'll have to face.

Don't worry. We're here to help you with exactly that. But let's take it one step at a time. Let's start with the furniture basics. If you've just graduated from high school or college with very little money of your own to buy from Ikea, then it wouldn't exactly hurt if you

a) Borrow from family and friends
b) Buy from flea markets and thrift shops
c) Recycle your old stuff

These are some of the stuff that you might want to start with:

* sofa bed/ a sofa and a bed
* one comfortable upholstered chair
* two stackable chair, just in case you've got company coming over
* book case or mounted shelves
* a multi-purpose table ( i.e. coffee/study/dining)

Don't pout yet, the next posts will focus on adding life to old furniture.