How to Give an Apartment a Mini Makeover

If you rent an apartment, you have a lot of freedom. Someone else is responsible for fixing leaky faucets, repairing the roof and replacing broken appliances. However, it is easy to become stuck in a rut when you cannot paint your walls or install custom fixtures. Fortunately, there are some small-scale decorating ideas that you can implement in every room of your home that will not hinder your chance of recovering your security deposit.

Things You'll Need

• Picture frames
• Paint
• Rolling kitchen island
• Nightstands
• Lamps
• Window treatments

Instructions

1. Reframe your living room. If you have walls or shelves boasting numerous photos, reframe them all in matching frames to give the room a pulled-together look. If you cannot afford to purchase all new frames, simply paint them all the same color.

2. Place a rolling kitchen island in the middle of your kitchen. Many of them are only a couple of feet in diameter, and they provide much-needed space to prep meals and store large utensils or even a microwave. They are attractive to look at as well, and can be dressed up with a bowl of fruit or a vase of fresh flowers.

3. Balance the look of your bedroom by decorating in pairs. Place a nightstand on each side of the bed and place matching lamps atop them. Add interest to the room by angling the bed or other furniture pieces.

4. Add color to the bathroom by accessorizing in a chosen color scheme. Find a bathroom item you love, such as a rug or shower curtain. Find everything you can, from towels to a soap dish to scented candles, in coordinating colors.

5. Remove unattractive blinds and store them somewhere safe so that you can put them back up when it is time to move out. Replace them with appealing window treatments that enhance your apartment's decor.

Tips & Warnings

• Check with your landlord, as some will allow you to paint your walls. You may have to repaint them white at the end of your lease.

• Don't damage any walls or fixtures when decorating your apartment.

Resources

• Rolling Kitchen Islands