{"id":17507,"date":"2019-10-31T10:31:06","date_gmt":"2019-10-31T15:31:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.abodo.com\/blog\/?p=17507"},"modified":"2021-02-02T08:37:10","modified_gmt":"2021-02-02T14:37:10","slug":"decorations-for-a-homey-apartment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rentable.co\/blog\/decorations-for-a-homey-apartment\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Affordable Ways to Make Your Apartment Feel “Homey”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Living in a rented home or apartment means that you\u2019re already spending a bunch of money every month on rent, but that doesn\u2019t mean you shouldn\u2019t like the place you live in. But, when it comes to decorating your place, it\u2019s not just the lack of money that stops you; it\u2019s also the fact that you simply don\u2019t want to invest whatever you have left on sprucing up somebody else\u2019s spot. Also, you might have questions<\/a> about what you’re able to actually upgrade since you don’t own the place. <\/span><\/p>\n

But the important thing to remember is that although the place isn\u2019t yours, you still need to live in that space for the time being so you might as well make it work for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Luckily, there are ways to personalize your apartment and make it feel a bit more “homey,” even when you\u2019re on a tight budget.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Paint the Walls<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When you live in a rented property, you need to consult the landlord before doing any changes. Although painting the walls seems like quite a big change, 99% of the landlords will probably say yes because you\u2019re actually doing them a huge favor. They\u2019ll get their walls painted for free and you\u2019ll finally get freshly painted walls in the color you prefer. Paint the whole home white to freshen it up and get a blank canvass to work with. And if white feels too plain, paint a small wall in a more shocking hue.<\/span><\/p>\n

Invest in a Great Rug<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re living in a rental, the rugs probably haven\u2019t been changed for decades and are now worn out. Even worse, the property doesn\u2019t have any rugs and you have to see that ugly old laminate floor every single day! When it comes to rugs, don\u2019t be afraid to splurge. Great vintage rugs never go out of style and the best thing is you can take them with you when you decide to leave the rented place. Try using <\/span>Scandinavian rugs<\/span><\/a> to add an art deco feel to the apartment which goes hand in hand with the current interior design trends.<\/span><\/p>\n

Change the Furniture<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When you want to furnish a space quickly and on a budget but without sacrificing appearance, IKEA is a lifesaver. If your apartment is entirely or partially furnished, set about $500 aside. With this amount, you can literally go wild and buy everything from plants and plates to mirrors and footstalls.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, as mentioned earlier, when you\u2019re renting, your money is best spent on stuff you can take with you when you leave, so make sure to invest in at least one stand-out piece of furniture.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, if you are a bit skillful, you can save lots of money by <\/span>DIY-ing<\/span><\/a>. Pallet beds, plywood dining sets, side tables made with old magazines\u2026 just scroll through Pinterest and you\u2019ll find tons of ideas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If You Can\u2019t Buy New Furniture<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If buying new pieces of furniture is still too much for you, just change the fixtures and fittings. Bathroom cabinetry, kitchen cabinetry, ironmongery, entrance doors, wardrobe doors\u2026 Changing these can upgrade the feel of the entire home. And the best part is you can take all of it with you when you leave. Installing pretty new handles on ugly kitchen cabinet doors will divert the attention and uplift the entire kitchen. Change the fabric, hooks, and feet as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Another thing you can do is paint the furniture. If it\u2019s not very ugly, you can paint only small parts of it to brighten up the space.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Forget the Soft Furnishings<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Don\u2019t forget the finishing touches, such as cushions and bed linen. Cushions are a great way to add some color to your apartment and make it feel more homely. If the property has an outdoor space, opt for printed linens that work great both inside and in outdoor areas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking to update your bedroom, changing the sheets<\/a> can do wonders. Layer up subtle neutrals in linens and denim or, if you prefer bolder colors, choose cotton sheets with striking patterns and bright colors.<\/span><\/p>\n

Make a Difference with Accessories<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Besides changing the furnishings, <\/span>home accessories<\/span><\/a> can also make a big difference in your rented home. Add them to shelves, mantels, and any other empty space in the apartment. Vases, decorative storage, candle holders, trays, you can really add whatever your heart desires. Use them to put the space together and create a story. However, be careful not to go overboard. Display only a few things and always keep them tidy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Display Pictures and Art<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Just like accessories, artworks are great for drawing attention off ugly furnishings or walls. If your landlord doesn\u2019t allow putting paintings on the walls, lean them against the walls to create a more relaxed feel to the room. This works especially well with larger pieces. You can also use tape instead of nails or place your artwork on easels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bring Nature Inside<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If the inside of your rented home looks dull, bring in some life (and extra oxygen) with plants. House plants are an easy and affordable way to personalize any room and add a pop of color. In addition, they help clean the air which is known to reduce stress levels. Put them on the windows to divert focus from ugly window ledges. Oh, and make sure to choose plants that are easy to keep alive. Just in case\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Solve the Lack of Storage Space<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If your apartment is on the smaller side, you can easily solve the problem with storage space with shelves. You can either buy cheap shelves or make your own by using plywood and wall brackets from the nearest DIY store. Then comes the best part \u2013 personalizing and dressing your shelves. Most landlords have no problem with you putting shelves as long as you agree to fill the holes before leaving the place.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dress the Windows\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There is no quicker fix than changing the window dressings. Remove the ugly old dressings and replace them with shades, curtains, or drapes in your favorite color. Don\u2019t forget that you\u2019ll be able to take this when you leave, so it is worth the investment. Bamboo shades are especially convenient as they are inexpensive and easy to hang and add instant texture and warmth to any space.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Light it Up<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Often neglected in rented homes, lighting is key to making the space more homely. Remove boring central pendants and invest in a small but great-looking lamp to add personality to your rented apartment. You can also use an overhead light to add instant ambiance to the room. In addition, consider the bulbs you are using – if there is no dimmer switch in the apartment, opt for bulbs with lower-wattages or filaments to get a beautiful evening glow.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Living in a rented home or apartment means that you\u2019re already spending a bunch of money every month on rent, but that doesn\u2019t mean you shouldn\u2019t like the place you live in. But, when it … <\/p>\n

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