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Get Ready For Results: 6 Easy Apartment Decor Ideas on a Budget!

Making your rental feel like home can be tricky, but the following tips can help. Apartment decorating ideas on a budget can be fun when you try this. No matter what your square footage is.

Learn how to decorate an apartment on a budget and with style in mind! One of the top questions I get is, “How do I make my rental feel like home without damaging the property?” No one wants to lose their deposit, and I don’t blame them one bit.

Here are my favorite apartment decorating ideas!

I have curated a list of my favorite apartment decorating ideas, tips, and tricks to customize a rental to feel more like home. No matter if you have a 2000 square foot 2-bedroom apartment or a 300 Square foot studio apartment. You don’t need to have a background in interior design to decorate your space. I hope you find it helpful.

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1. Contact Paper

Wood peel-and-stick wallpaper is by far one of my favorite apartment decorating ideas and tricks on a tight budget. It’s a cost-effective and chic way to easily achieve the farmhouse look. Say goodbye to the dated traditional look of your rental and easily decorate the home to reflect your style. Always make sure to please read the instructions and precautions behind the contact paper before use.

Making your rental feel like home can be tricky, but the following these tips can help. Apartment decorating ideas can be fun when you try this!
Image Credit: Abyssaly

You can find different variations of wood grain contact paper to help you achieve the look you want. My tip to you is to make sure you are applying contact paper to a real wood or stone surface. When you apply it to a faux finish or a veneer, it can damage the surface when you remove the contact paper.

For example, I used grey contact paper in my Rental Bathroom makeover (that went VIRAL on YouTube) to cover a vanity cabinet and mirror and it looked so much better. It lasted a long time too!

My Top 6 Decorating Tricks to Class Up Your Home [Renter-Friendly]
Image Credit: Teemall

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2. Hardware

Hardware is one of the easiest ways to really upgrade a kitchen or a bathroom. If you don’t want to spend a ton to upgrade a space. One of my other favorite decorating tips and tricks is to start with the hardware. They are super inexpensive for most people and can really class up a cabinet or drawer to give it a new look. Plus, it doesn’t damage the rental the way you found it.

Making your rental feel like home can be tricky, but the following these tips can help. Apartment decorating ideas can be fun when you try this!
Image Credit: Cosmas

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RELATED: Smart and Chic Ways to Make Your Apartment Look Nice

3. Peel and Stick Backsplash

No more ugly dated backsplashes because of peel-and-stick solutions! I love these peel-and-stick backsplash tiles to help modernize a kitchen or bathroom. It’s great because you can make it really complement existing counter space. Super easy to apply and just requires a little patience when applying it.

Making your rental feel like home can be tricky, but the following these tips can help. Apartment decorating ideas can be fun when you try this!
Image Credit: Art3d

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4. Area Rugs

Area rugs are the perfect first step if you are looking to add some personality to your home. You can find some very inexpensive options out there that have a chic vibe to them.

Area rugs can be a great focal point and can go over almost any room and over any type of flooring. Not only that, but you will be protecting the existing flooring and making your small space feel like you own it.

Making your rental feel like home can be tricky, but the following these tips can help. Apartment decorating ideas can be fun when you try this!
Photo Credit: Artistic Weavers
My Top 6 Decorating Tricks to Class Up Your Home [Renter-Friendly]
Image Credit: Nourison

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RELATED: 15 DIY Projects To Make Your Rental Home Look More Expensive

5. Peel and Stick Flooring

Sometimes you can’t choose what kind of flooring your new rental has, and I have lived in some places where the flooring was pretty hideous. I am so grateful that peel-and-stick tile and other dรฉcor flooring options have become available as apartment decorating solutions.

You can achieve a farmhouse or a modern look. From wood planks to tile flooring, these upgrades will improve your space. These rental-friendly home decorating tips and tricks will not disappoint. I promise.

My Top 6 Decorating Tricks to Class Up Your Home [Renter-Friendly]
Image Credit: Achim Home Furnishings
Making your rental feel like home can be tricky, but the following these tips can help. Apartment decorating ideas can be fun when you try this!
Image Credit: FloorPops
Making your rental feel like home can be tricky, but the following these tips can help. Apartment decorating ideas can be fun when you try this!
Photo Credit: FloorPops

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RELATED: 10 Smart & Cheap Ways To Make Your Apartment Look Better

6. Temporary Wallpaper

This has become my go-to solution for decorating the walls of my home. I’m not going to lie to you, it does require patience to apply, but the finished product always blows my mind. I also recommend checking out 9 types of apartment decorating wall ideas & inspiration.

6 Decorating Tips and Tricks to Class Up a Rental
Credit: RoomMates
Making your rental feel like home can be tricky, but the following these tips can help. Apartment decorating ideas can be fun when you try this!
Image Credit: EiCute
6 Decorating Tips and Tricks to Class Up a Rental
Credit: RoomMates

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RELATED: 10 Steps to a New Room Design for Free

HERE ARE SOME BONUS TIPS

TO HELP WITH APARTMENT DECORATING IDEAS ON A BUDGET THAT WILL MAKE A BIG IMPACT!


Some other ways you can decorate your apartment on a budget to make it feel like you own it are with window treatments. Drapery, like curtains, blinds, and shades, can help you add a pop of color and some personality with fabrics in your space. Fun fact, there are even some helpful renter-friendly tricks with hanging a curtain rod using 2 broom wall holders from Dollar Tree.

Throw pillows and throw blankets are one of my favorite ways to keep up with the trends and the seasons, and they are simply just an easy way to develop a cohesive color palette in a living space.

Wall art and decor are another way to incorporate your style and personality into your interiors. You don’t fear damaging the walls either. Depending on your lease, you may have the ability to use nails and screws for your artwork. Either way, you can also use handy command strips, putty, hooks, and other no-damage picture hangers.

HERE ARE SOME *EXTRA* BONUS TIPS

Statement lighting fixtures like floor lamps, table lamps, or any light fixture can help you brighten up the space and give the feeling of natural light. Especially if your apartment doesn’t have access to natural light.

Furniture can be a perfect solution for adding colorful accents to your apartment and balcony spaces if you have them. Especially dual-purpose furniture. Accent chairs, sofas, coffee tables, side tables, nightstands, ottomans, headboards, etc, can be easily used to add a touch of style and assist in improving the layout of a small room.

Towels can be a clever way to bring your style, textures, and color into your bathroom and your kitchen.


Now that you’ve seen plenty of small apartment decorating ideas and tricks available to renters, it’s time to get excited about making your small space look bigger! With the right furniture, colors, lighting, storage space, and accessories, you can easily create an illusion of more room.

Not only is it affordable to decorate on a budget, but it also looks stylish and polished. Decorating an apartment is tricky work, but having the knowledge of small space hacks will make it easier. Let me know if the tips presented here have been helping in creating a beautiful living atmosphere for you and your small space!

All of these solutions are intended to help you decorate your home to reflect your personality, but still, help you get your deposit back when you move. If you are looking for more budget-friendly rental decorating solutions, check out the DIY High-End Home Decorating from The Dollar Store.


Make sure you are following me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more DIY and home decor tips!

How can I decorate my apartment on a tight budget?

Start by shopping your own space. Rearrange furniture, repurpose what you have, and use peel-and-stick wallpaper or decals for an instant refresh. Thrift stores and Facebook Marketplace are goldmines for budget-friendly finds. DIY projects like painting furniture or creating art add a personal touch for less. The key is getting creative, not spending big!

What are some renter-friendly ways to update my apartment?

Look for temporary solutions like command hooks, removable wallpaper, and stylish rugs to layer over basic flooring. Swap out hardware on cabinets or dressers for a custom look. Even budget-friendly curtains and lighting upgrades can make a huge difference. These small changes wonโ€™t cost much, and they wonโ€™t risk your security deposit.

Where can I find inspiration for apartment decorating ideas on a budget?

Pinterest and Instagram are full of budget-savvy DIYs and small space hacks. Blogs like mine (hi there!) often share renter-friendly ideas and thrifted transformations. You can also get inspired by browsing clearance aisles with a creative eye. Affordable style is all about vision, not just your wallet.

6 Decorating Tips and Tricks to Class Up a Rental

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