A new apartment is an exciting environment. Whether it’s an individual loft or a shared space, there are a lot of factors to be considered with decorating, furnishing and living in an apartment. College students and young professionals often live in apartments to be close to jobs, schools and friends; making a rented space a home can be a challenge, but there are a number of easy ways to inexpensively decorate an apartment.
Where to Find Inexpensive Apartment Furnishings
A bed is the most important piece of furniture in an apartment. If the apartment isn’t already furnished with a bed, purchasing an inexpensive bed becomes essential. Many college students have limited finances. There are a number of ways to find an inexpensive bed.
Use a futon as a bed and couch combo. Futons are relatively inexpensive and can be very comfortable. Additionally, a futon can be used as a couch for entertaining outside of shared living space, which is beneficial for individuals with roommates. Futons can be found at many department stores for a price that will fit any student’s budget.
Kitchen tables and chairs can often be found for a few dollars at garage sales or online. These inexpensive furnishings can be spruced up with a new coat of paint to make them look as good as new. Silverware, plates and cups can also be found for a low price, and having mismatched tableware can add an eclectic feel to an apartment.
How to Decorate an Apartment on a Budget
Living in a plain apartment can be drab and uninspiring. However, many landlords don’t allow their tenants to paint the walls, and some landlords don’t want pictures or posters to be hung with nails. Check with a landlord before doing any decorating to avoid getting fined.
Apartments that can be painted can be turned into home with a coat of brightly colored paint and some art posters or photographs. Bright, light colors like yellow can make a small space feel much larger. Paint small rooms like bathrooms or kitchens with bright colors to make them seem bigger than they are.
Small tables with candles and photographs on them are inexpensive ways to add a personal touch to any room, whether it’s a shared space or a bedroom. Tall lights can add a sense of height to a room; placing floor lamps in the corner can light up a room and help it feel bigger than it is.
How to Use Apartment Storage Space
Choosing an inexpensive desk and shelving unit can help make an apartment efficient and organized. A desk with lots of drawers can provide good storage for electronics, paperwork and other infrequently used items. Inexpensive desks can be found online, at garage sales or at some office supply stores. Choose a desk that fits in a bedroom or in a living room without taking up unnecessary space.
Use shelves that can double as storage boxes. These types of box shelves can house shoes, photographs and decorative items in addition to books. Box shelves can also be very useful for moving in and out of the apartment.
Good Colors for Decorating an Apartment
Choose a color scheme to use when decorating an apartment. Use matching curtains, rugs, candles and artwork that accent the colors of the rooms. This creates a cohesive feeling within the apartment, which can make it more comfortable. Additionally, many stores sell inexpensive color-matched sets of bathroom, kitchen and bedroom items.
Painting the walls a subtle base color like beige or ivory allows for a great deal of color experimentation with the rest of the décor, while a brighter color, like yellow, red or blue can be used to create a bold design with accenting colors. Lighter colors can also make small rooms seem larger.
Decorating an apartment on a budget can be a challenge. Furniture, paint and decorations can all be expensive. However, knowing where to look for items can help individuals find cheap solutions to decorating dilemmas. Collaborate with roommates to avoid bringing duplicate items, and search for the cheapest deals before making large purchases.
Bailey Shoemaker Richards - Bailey is a writer from Ohio. She is pursuing a creative writing degree at Ohio University, where she is currently a senior. Bailey ...
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