How to Decorate a Room in an Apartment

Decorated Apartment

Apartments often have restrictions about decorating. You might not be able to paint, change the carpet or even hang art in your rental. If you break any of the decorating rules you may forfeit the deposit. You might live in a building where all of the apartments look the same. Add your personality into the space. You can decorate a room in an apartment and make it feel like home even if you are on a budget.

Things You'll Need

• Pot Rack Fabric Panels House Plants

Instructions

1. Bring in life. Apartments can feel cold. Pick up a few ferns, houseplants or indoor palms. This is a cheap way of decorating a room in an apartment that can make a big impact. Place an herb garden in the kitchen windowsill for a decorative accessory you can eat.

2. Make statements with furniture. The room in your apartment may feel boxy and lack architecture. Invest in furniture that you can take with you. Look for bold patterns and colors to infuse the space with personality. Furniture with curvy lines will soften the space and add visual interest. You may not need a headboard or nightstand to live but it will make your apartment feel more like a home.

3. Pay attention to details. If you are shopping on a budget your room can still look decorated. Make thrift store purchases carefully. Use mismatched chairs around the dining table as long as they are the same color. Pick different plates in the same color palette or style so it has a designer air.

4. Show off why you choose the apartment. You may have looked at dozens of apartments before making your selection. Let your visitors fall in love with the space the way you did. Orient the furniture so you can look at the view or enjoy the fireplace.

5. Create the allusion of space. Many rooms in an apartment might feel cramped. Get rid of any items that you don't need so your apartment won't feel cluttered. Use vertical storage space such as pot racks and magnetic wall strips in the kitchen to hold everyday items. Choose a tall dresser that won't take up as much room as a horizontal dresser but provides the same amount of storage.

6. Work with white walls. It's unlikely that you'll be able to paint your apartment. Paint is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to transform a room but it may not be an option in your case. Keep a monochromatic look. Use white furniture and add texture through silver and crystal accessories. This makes the white walls seem intentional.

7. Go modern. Plain rooms and white walls may make your room feel like it hasn't been decorated despite your efforts. White walls were popular in retro, modern design. Decorate with abstract art and keep accessories to a minimum to implement this theme.

8. Use fabric on the walls for a pop of color. Add an entire wall of curtains for privacy and elegance. Hang large tapestries, banners or fabric panels from floor to ceiling. Fabric can help deaden noise from traffic or neighbors.