How-to Decorate Your Apartment on a Budget

An apartment may be an affordable and convenient housing option, but this type of space has one significant downfall. Apartments are notoriously difficult to decorate. Many lack architectural features that give them personality and style. The walls are typically stark, and the tone throughout the space is neutral. While this essentially gives you a blank canvas that seemingly could be advantageous under the right circumstances, you may be one of many renters who have a limited decorating budget to work with. Transforming so much nondescript space on a tight budget can seem daunting. More than that, you may not want to waste money decorating an apartment that you may only live in for a couple of months or a few years at best. If you are eager to decorate your apartment on a budget, consider how these tips can help you to accomplish your goals.

Choose the Right Color Scheme

Many apartment renters feel that they must keep the walls a neutral color, but most leases actually permit renters to paint the walls. They simply have to return the walls to their original color before vacating. Rather than repaint the entire space, consider painting an accent wall to add a splash of color. You can also take advantage of floor coverings, wall décor, curtains and other features to incorporate color into your apartment. Choose an attractive color scheme that appeals to you. To save money, consider using colors from some of your existing pieces, or choose colors that have long-lasting appeal. Trendy colors may soon give your space a dated look and require replacement soon.

Make Use of Natural Light

Maximizing natural light can make any apartment feel brighter and more inviting, and it is available in abundant supply without cost to you. Some people may feel inclined to decorate with heavy drapes on the windows. While window coverings can give your apartment décor a completed or finished look, a smart idea is to use sheers rather than drapes. Sheers are substantially more affordable than drapes in many cases. They can add the decorative touch that you desire around your windows without blocking sunlight. To further maximize natural light, avoid blocking windows with furnishings, potted plants and other items when possible.

Choose Decorative Accents That Make a Bold Statement

A common mistake that many people make when decorating a home or an apartment is over-decorating. In many cases, it is best to choose a couple of accent pieces that make a big impact in the space rather than to waste money purchasing an excessive number of decorative items. Before you start shopping, take a closer look at the items that you have. You may be able to use those items as-is, or you could refinish or alter them in some way to make them well-suited for your space on a dime. Spend time thoroughly thinking about the room’s specific decorating needs, and avoid simply rushing out to buy items hastily.

Consider Secondhand or Vintage Items

Regardless of whether you need to purchase a few new pieces of furniture, decorative items or something else for your apartment, you may be able to find quality items at a more affordable price if you search for pre-owned items online. You can also buy secondhand or even vintage items at garage or yard sales, estate sales and more. In many cases, older items have more character and charm than new items have. Because of this, they may have a more substantial decorative benefit. As you peruse secondhand and vintage items, remember that you can refinish the items, change their color, add new cushions and more to make them better suited for use in your space.

You can see that there are many steps that you can take to create a beautiful space on a dime. While your time in an apartment may be brief in many cases, you can still create a homey environment that reflects your personal sense of style and that you are proud to live in without spending a fortune. Spend time creating a decorating plan for your apartment before you get started. By planning ahead, you can more easily control your spending and create the desired result within your allocated budget.