6 Tips for Designing Your Apartment on a Budget

When you’re living in an apartment, you sometimes face some tough design challenges. Renting means that you can’t do any permanent damage to walls, carpets, and other fixtures. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t change up the look of your living space! And, the changes you make to your rental don’t have to be expensive. Below, we’ve gathered some of our favorite decorating tips for making your apartment more vibrant and cozier. Keep reading to learn how to transform your space!

Tip #1: Get Green

Plants not only help clean and filter the air, but they also add an undeniable cheerfulness to any space. You can choose low maintenance plants like ferns or snake plants – or you can even get a small tree and watch it thrive under your care.

If you’re concerned about watering, getting a self-watering planter or watering globes are a great way to ensure that your plants stay healthy and hydrated. It’s also a good idea to invest in indoor plant fertilizer as well. 

To make your plants even more colorful and fun, get some crocheted hanging plant holders or hand-painted drainage pots. 

Tip #2: Invest in Quality Curtains and Furniture

Many apartments have one ugly thing in common: vertical blinds. If you don’t want to stare at ugly vertical blinds all day, every day – we totally understand. To beautify your windows, you can invest in a tension rod and beautiful sheer curtains to diffuse light and provide privacy. You can even get fun ombre dyed curtains or crocheted curtains if you’re looking for a more bohemian look. 

For your furniture, check out local flea markets and a Hooker Furniture outlet. Quality furniture can last you for years and make your apartment look more polished.

Tip #3: Change up the Walls with Removable Wallpaper and Art

It’s unlikely that your landlord will approve you painting your walls – but that doesn’t mean you can’t alter the walls at all! There are plenty of websites that sell interesting wallpapers that can be removed easily when you move out. You can choose from solid colors to interesting patterns.

If you think that putting up wallpaper sounds like too much work – we get it. Instead, you can put up interesting wall coverings like tapestries or even hang up some DIY art. For example, you can try your hand at acrylic pour paintings. Just get a kit and start pouring away!

Tip #4: Add Soft Textiles and Interesting Textures

One commonly forgotten aspect of decorating apartments and houses is adding soft textures. It can be easy to narrow in on the color palette you like, but without textiles and textures, the overall look can end up being quite boring. 

To avoid a boring, dreary aesthetic, consider using a shag rug to add some softness to your floors. Use macramé wall hanging to add some soft visual interest to your space. And finally, don’t forget to place throw pillows on your sofa and bed.

Tip #5: Pay Attention to Lighting

Lighting is everything – especially in a small apartment. For your main lighting sources, invest in tall lamps that can provide a large swath of light. Then, you can fill in with accessory lighting. You can add in fairy lights and drape them across walls or get interesting corner rainbow lights to add visual interest. 

If you need task lighting for your workplace or your nightstand, make sure you get a light with a dimmer, so you always have just the right amount of light.

Conclusion: Decorating Your Apartment, One Step at a Time

If you’re decorating an apartment, you might be at a loss for how to approach it without creating permanent damage. Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can brighten up your apartment living spaces without losing your security department. First, you can consider adding in plants that liven up the space with oxygen-creating green friends. 

Then, you move on to beautifying your windows with drapery or curtains. Next, it’s time to address the blank walls. You can put up temporary wallpaper or art to make those white walls less boring and sterile. And finally, you’ll want to think about your lighting. Lighting can really change the entire look and feel of a room – so take time to think about this aspect of your apartment décor! With these tips, you’ll be on your way to a more enjoyable and beautiful apartment.