Moving to a new country can be fun and an exciting new adventure, but feeling like you don’t have a place to call “home” is not. For those who are in a perpetual state of traveling, living out of a suitcase and knowing your time in a place has an expiration date, it may be difficult to justify investing in special items for your apartment.
While this is a financially smart decision, investing in a few things that you may end up leaving behind may ultimately help your mental health and make those more difficult days abroad more manageable. Here, I will share my tips for making your home in Medellin, Colombia a little more ‘homey,’ without breaking the bank!
Make Your Space Green
The beauty of living in “The City of Eternal Spring” is the abundance of tropical plants, herbs, and flowers.
Adding plants to your space is an amazing way to make a place feel bright, lively and more like home.
Don’t have a green thumb? Herbs, aloe, succulents, snake plants, and pothos plants are all wonderful options if you are looking for low-maintenance plant options, (costing only between $1 – $5 USD).
Build your own furniture
Creating recycled furniture or shelves is a great way to add a special touch to your apartment. In Medellin, you can find pallets for around $10-15 USD which can then be painted and made into seating options, a coffee table or shelves.
One of my personal favorite DIY decorating options is buying wooden boxes from the markets ($3-10 USD) and arranging them on a wall to create floating shelves.
Personalize With Art and Photos and Postcards
Printing photos before you go or printing photos of your travels is an amazing option for personalizing your space and making your loved ones feel closer.
Hanging your photos on the refrigerator, or creating a gallery wall will instantly make your space feel more like home. Because photos are so easy to take when you travel, they are a great option for those who are always on the move.
Check Out Local Flea Markets and Antique Store
El Mercado de San Alejo, held every first Saturday of the month in Medellin, is a great option for finding antique treasures.
In Envigado, La Telarana is an incredible antique shop where you can find anything from old antique doors, records, to furniture and photos!
Adding a few antique items, whether it be an old painting or a decorative pot for a plant, is a cost-friendly way of adding a little charm to your space.
Items to Bring Before You Go
Bringing things along with you before you go as simple as your own set of sheets, photos and postcards, magnets, your favorite condiments or sauces from home and having a few small ‘comforts’ available to you in your new home abroad is only going to increase your ability to adjust to your new space.
Let us know what other tips and items you can’t live without while living abroad. Happy home-making travelers!
by: Erin Colton-Enberg
