Decorating your apartment can be something that gets expensive especially if you’re just moving in. You’ve already dealt with paying for deposits and first month’s rent so wanting to make your place a little more personalized falls down the list of priorities easily. The problem is when you put it off it often doesn’t get done at all.

You don’t have to decorate your apartment to make it livable but it does make your apartment more enjoyable. You’ve already spent a lot of time and effort locating an apartment so it would be disappointing overall if you didn’t spend at least a little time making your new place truly your own.

You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to decorate your new place. There are ways to decorate that are both budget and apartment-friendly. You still have to adjust your decorating tactics for a rental unit that you’ll want your deposit back on so keep that in mind. Here are five inexpensive yet cool ways to decorate your apartment.

1. Wall Art

You don’t have to spend a lot to make your white walls look a little less drab. If you don’t have a lot left over after you move in, that’s okay. You can still do some great wall art if you just use a little imagination. Think about what you already have available to you and go from there.

You can frame scrapbooking paper and hang that on your walls. You can frame pretty fabrics you might have already. If you want to forgo the frame a picture wire and clips are still very inexpensive and give you a way to personalize your space that isn’t permanent. You can change what’s hanging from the picture wire as it suits your mood.

If you want to go a little bolder you can also invest in wall decals or make your own from self-adhesive shelf paper. Just keep in mind that decorating your walls doesn’t have to be expensive and it will go a really long way in making sure your apartment doesn’t stay looking cold and unwelcoming.

2. Find Some Area Rugs, ASAP

Your carpet could be one of the biggest reasons you don’t end up getting your deposit back. It’s also one of the more drab things in most apartments aside from the stark white walls. Area rugs will give you a two-for-one deal and combine decorating your apartment with protecting the carpet. It’s really worth it to find some area rugs as soon as you move in.

You don’t have to spend a lot to get some rugs into your new place. You can find rugs that others are getting rid of on sites like Craigslist or Facebook Market. You might not be able to have a wide selection of designs if you go that route but you’re likely to find something that at least suits your taste for a while.

You can buy the area rugs first and match your wall decor to that if you want to tie your whole room together. Since you might be finding things second hand it’s probably easier to match your walls to it than to look for something that matches whatever you’ve decided to put on your walls. Area rugs really will be your best friend both in keeping your carpet safe and making your apartment look fabulous.

3. Back To The Walls

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You can make your rooms look a little bigger and more inviting at the same time (another two-for-one) by hanging mirrors on your walls. You can choose to put up some large mirrors or go with mirror tiles spaced across the wall however you please. Either way, the look will be the same and your walls will be more intriguing.

Mirrors don’t have to be just for checking out your outfit for the day. Use them as strategic decorating options and see what a difference they can make in a room. They’re affordable and easy to hang without ruining the walls. If you want to make them even more appealing you can always hang frames around them to make them look more purposeful too.

4. Create Your Own Backsplash

Your kitchen doesn’t have to be left out of sprucing up your apartment just because it’s mostly utilitarian. Just like there are removable wall decals there are also removable tile stickers. You can use those to create a backsplash that makes your kitchen look more high-end and customized to your own personal tastes.

If your kitchen is small you won’t have to spend much on tile stickers at all. The difference they’ll make is something you’ll notice instantly. It’s also something guests are likely to notice and talk about when they come to visit too. It’s not something people expect in an apartment so it’s a great way to express yourself and still save some money in the process.

5. Plants Can Make A Space Work

If you’re finding that you just can’t figure out how to finish decorating your apartment it might be time to bring in some house plants. If you can’t keep plants alive, that’s okay, there are really great fake plants out there right now. They look as real as possible and the goal of bringing some plants in will still be accomplished.

Plants can warm up a bedroom or living room and make it feel more like an oasis. You don’t have to spend a lot to get this look in your apartment either. Plants aren’t super expensive and if you fall in love with one that is you can always figure it into your budget a few months down the road. Just be sure you’re ready to care for it then too.

Bringing a little bit of the outdoors inside can help you feel more relaxed and “at home” in your apartment. If you’re finding that you just can’t finalize the look of your apartment using the other tips you’ve read about try bringing in some plants. It might just be what you’ve been looking for even if you didn’t realize it yet.

Conclusion:

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Decorating your apartment doesn’t have to break the bank, and it does make a huge difference in how you feel when you’re at home. If you haven’t tried making things your own yet, now is definitely the time. If you’ve just moved in don’t allow yourself to settle for what’s already there. Using these budget decorating tips won’t take a lot of effort and the pay-off will be well worth it.