Apartment Decorating Hacks On a Budget

Moving in on your own place can be really exciting. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned renter, you know that nothing beats the feeling of having a space to call your own. You can finally sing at the top of your lungs when you’re in the shower - and no one would even bother. 

You can finally eat whatever you want and no one would judge you for it. Pizza for breakfast? Why not? 

But let’s be real here, you guys. The real excitement of moving in on a new place is the decorating and furnishing part. 

However, decorating and furnishing can be a bit scary - especially if you’re clueless on how to make your space HGTV-worthy. But don’t worry, we got you. 

We’ve got some apartment decorating hacks that will surely turn your space from drab to fab. The best part? These are all budget-friendly, easy to do, and landlord-approved hacks! No interior design experience necessary. 

SPRUCE UP YOUR WALLS

Are your walls lookin’ a little bit meh? Why not try adding some color? But before you rush to the nearest hardware and grab those painting supplies, make sure to review your contract first or ask your landlord for permission.

Some landlords actually allow renters to paint their walls on a condition that they have to re-paint it to its original color when they move out. 

But if it’s not an option, you can opt for removable wallpapers or wall art. In fact, why not try a combination of both? Wallpapers are great if you want to add a bit of personality to your space. 

Wall arts are great if you want to showcase your art collection or if you want to personalize your apartment. You can actually mount things on your wall without drilling by using hooks and tapes. 

We recommend the XFasten Acrylic Mounting Tape. It works on various surfaces and it doesn’t leave any residue upon removal. 

One thing to note, though. These tools have limited weight holding capacity - so you really have to be sure that you know the weight of the objects that you’re going to mount on your wall. 

But you’re not only limited to these options. Here are other ideas you can try: 

• Use magazine cut-outs and photos as your wall art. Tape them on a blank space of your wall by using washi tapes. But if washi tapes are not your thing, you can use a good quality double-sided tape instead. Put the tape on the back of your cut-outs and photos for a seamless installation. 

• Hang tapestries to give your space a cozy, Bohemian-vibe. You’ll be thrilled to know that there are hundreds of designs to choose from! Use it as a backdrop from where you would place your couch. 

• Use wall decals. They’re easy to apply and remove, and they’re inexpensive! 

• If you have a small apartment, consider installing mirrors to make your space look brighter and bigger. 

DECORATE, DECORATE, AND DECORATE

We get it: decorating is a challenge. It’s hard to know which decors go with which furniture, and before you know it, everything is chaotic and messy. Not to mention, it can get a little expensive. 

But who says you have to break the bank to add some spice to your space? All you need is a little imagination and creativity! Here are some tips:

• Plants are not only great to liven up an area, but it’s also a natural air purifier! Consider placing pots of succulents on your workspace and on your windowsills. 

• Got empty bottles of wine? Don’t throw them just yet! Just give them a good wash and you can repurpose them as flower vases. 

• You don’t have to buy expensive furniture. Score your local thrift shops for one-of-a-kind furniture pieces. Much better if you have family and friends who are willing to hand you down their pre-loved furniture. Breathe new life to these items by repainting it or repurposing it. 
• Add rugs to give zest to your living and dining area. Make it pop even more by choosing bold and colorful designs. To avoid slips and falls, secure your carpets with the XFasten Double-Sided Carpet Tape. Know which carpet suits your home. 

SET THE MOOD

After a long day, we all want our homes to be our own sanctuary. It should be a place where we can comfortably take our shoes off, put your feet up, and grab an ice-cold beer after a long, exhausting day. 

For starters, invest in good lighting. It’s true when they say that lighting can make or break the total atmosphere of any room. Plus, it has effects on your mood as well. Have you ever visited a place with poor lighting conditions and you can’t help but feel down in the dumps afterward? 

The same holds true when a place has warm or natural lighting. It does a lot of wonders to uplift our spirits and we generally feel more positive. And we all want the same thing for our own place, right? 

If your apartment has recessed lights already installed, that’s a good place to start. But if it doesn’t and your landlord doesn’t allow you to make any modifications to the ceiling, you can use lamps to achieve the same warm and cozy effect. 

And the plus points of having lamps on your apartment? These double as decorations, too! Win-win, right? 

HIDE SOMETHING YOU DON’T LIKE

Unfortunately, some apartments have construction flaws that give us an eyesore - unless of course, you’re living in a luxurious apartment. But luckily, you can hide these imperfections and you can do so in style! 

Here are some hacks that can help you out: 

• Don’t like the surface of your countertop? Make it ultra-modern and elegant in a jiffy by using marble contact paper.

• For awkward spaces in your room, hide it using a wall art big enough to conceal those uneven and awkward corners. 

• If there’s a space under the staircase that really ticks you off, use that opportunity to place a stylish ottoman (or even a bench) to make it more inviting.

• Space stuck between two walls? Turn it into your own work area. Jazz it up with wallpaper or even a chalkboard contact paper for that rustic vibe. 

• If your bathroom doesn’t have any cabinets and you’re stuck with that space under the sink, maximize it. Use a pretty basket to store all your bathroom essentials. 

• Exposed electrical wiring? Adorn that area on the wall with calendars, pictures, or vinyl cut-outs. 

Now that you’ve already learned these useful apartment decorating hacks, we’re sure that you’re super pumped to put those hands to work and start decorating. 

Do you have any decorating ideas that you’d like to share with us? Leave us your comments down below!