When it comes to decorating apartments, there's no better way to keep the style cohesive than to come up with a central theme for the curtains, rug and everything in between. And if you're a huge fan of sports, the theme seems pretty obvious: Why not show some team spirit by decorating your apartment to reflect your favorite local sports team?
No matter which group of athletes you love, representing them in your decor is a fun way to get creative and excited about your new place (just don't go overboard, or your living room might start to look like an Applebee's).
Here are some imaginative apartment decorating ideas you can use to pay homage to your favorite group of athletes.
Dedicate a Shelf for Memorabilia
When you're displaying team memorabilia, it's a good idea to do it all in one place, because it looks mature and intentional rather than cluttered. Dedicate a shelf in your living room for only sports-related books, memorabilia and equipment.
Display your autographed balls, trophies, team photos, and any other keepsake items you have, and arrange them by sport or team to give each shelf its own theme. If you don't have enough memorabilia for a whole bookshelf, try hanging some small floating shelves or shadow boxes to show off your team spirit.
Incorporate Your Team's Colors
A great way to pay homage to your team without being quite so literal is to incorporate their colors into your decor. Keep the color combination subtle by using just one of the colors in most of the decor, along with some complementary neutrals. Then utilize the second color in tiny accents that won't be too obvious.
For instance, if I were to decorate my living room to pay respect to my beloved Broncos, I might use blue curtains and throw pillows, but keep an orange vase on the windowsill.
Use Your Team's Logo
For some less abstract representation, why not use your team's logo here and there? If you're feeling creative (and your team's logo isn't too complicated), get into the Andy Warhol spirit by painting the logo several times in different color combinations on one canvas. Hang it in the bathroom or living area so guests will know which team reigns in your place.
Or, for another great DIY idea, you can even use permanent marker to decorate mugs with your team's colors and logo. Use stencils to draw the logo and other designs on the mugs, let the marker dry overnight, then bake them in the oven for 30 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Display the mugs in an open cabinet in your kitchen or with your other sports memorabilia on a shelf.
Frame Your Jerseys
Pinning jerseys to the walls may have been a good way to decorate in college, but now that you have an apartment, opt for some simple frames to display them.
Group them together on one wall or put one in each room of the apartment. If you do display them together, make sure they're all in the same style of frame for a more unified look.
Create a Gallery Wall
If you don't have any jerseys to frame, create a gallery wall using just sports-related photographs. Hang pictures of you with your friends and family at your favorite team's games, and even postcards or fliers if you have any.
The subtle display will keep your decor grown-up while still allowing you to pay homage to the team you love.
Turn Your Pennants Into Art
As is the case with jerseys, now that you have your own apartment, pinning pennants to the wall may not be the best way to display them.
Try framing them separately, or even grouping them into a larger frame by arranging them in an alternating pattern of upside-down and right-side-up. Hang the large frame over your couch to exhibit your favorite teams proudly.
Decorate With Sports Gear
One of the best apartment decorating ideas for incorporating your favorite team (or even just your love of sports in general) into your decor is also a great way to reduce clutter: by using the sports gear you already have laying around.
From baseball bats to tennis rackets, every type of equipment can be used to decorate. Here are a few creative ideas: