subject: 4 Transformational Apartment Rental Decor Tips [print this page] Are you stuck in an apartment rental dreaming of the day you will live in a "real" home? Guess what? You already do! Home is where you choose to make it, and your apartment can be every bit as cozy and inviting as the house of your dreams if you're willing to invest some time, money and imagination into your current space.
1. Tame the Mess.
Let's face it, life in an apartment can be crowded, but nothing reminds you of how small your space is like living in a constant mess. Throw out all the non-essentials and purchase some organizing systems to help you deal with what's left. Floor space is limited to begin with so organizing your apartment means taking advantage of vertical spaces wherever possible. Install shelves and purchase tall, shallow book shelves instead of short, wide units for housing all kinds of essential items.
2. Invest in Yourself.
If you've recently moved from your parent's home or a college dorm, chances are most of your furnishings are mismatched hand-me-downs and discount-store specials. And if you've been on your own for years, but are still using bricks and plywood as a bookshelf it is definitely time to start buying some real furniture. Maybe you can't afford to replace everything at once, but start by purchasing a few basic items like a couch, dining room set or a bed. Avoid anything too trendy or stylized. Even though you may like it, in a small apartment, pieces like these will take up space and can look out of place. Choose well-built furniture that will work in your current space and transition with you in the future.
3. Light it Up.
A single bulb ceiling fixture as the only point of light in your apartment can feel cold and impersonal. Use floor and table lamps to add warmth to your rental apartment and make it feel more like home. If you've got a particularly plain or ugly fixture overhead, buy a ceiling fan or a better looking one. Carefully wrap and store the original fixture and replace it when you leave.
4. Add Color.
Changing the wall color is often forbidden in an apartment rental, but you can add a dramatic splash of color to any wall with a simple craft project. There are lots of options that don't need any paint or nails that still change a room dramatically. Cover a square of foam board with quilt batting and then again with fabric in the color of your choice. Use a single, solid fabric, a pattern or mix and match. Adhere the materials to the board with masking tape. You'll want to make enough tiles to fill the space you want, whether you're wanting to cover only a yard or so or the whole wall. Secure them to the wall with hook and loop adhesive strips and you have a brand new room without breaking any rules.
Even though there are some limitations to how you can decorate your rental apartment, you don't have to let those limitations keep you from making some dramatic improvements. Try one of these decorating tips to make your apartment rental look and feel like home sweet home.
