How to do Apartment Interior Design

Apartment interior design allows you to build a home even if you're renting. It doesn't matter how long you'll live in the space or even if you are doing college apartment decorating. Many of the decorations will be able to move with you into your next place. You can build a home no matter where you live and what you have to spend.

Instructions

1. Make a statement with furniture. Furniture is the one thing you'll be able to take with you when you move so spend a little more money to get pieces with style. Look at the overall apartment building design to take your furniture and decorating cues from. Look for curvy lines if you live in an art deco building or sleek pieces with stainless steel legs if you're decorating a building in a modern apartment for a cohesive look.

2. Take away the feeling of an apartment. Most rentals have the same lighting fixtures, wall colors, carpet, flooring and cupboards. Your landlord might not even let you paint. Add in touches that look permanent but aren't. You can hang a plug in chandelier to accent a portable kitchen island to spruce up a rental. Apply large wall stickers, such as poppies that reach from floor to ceiling to add color to bland walls while giving your apartment a hand painted effect. Get permission to hang up curtains for a homey touch. You may have to take down the brackets and fill in the holes when you live. Many landlords will require that the lining of the curtains be white so it matches the rest of the window treatments in the building. Plus curtains are easier to open and close and you won't have to worry about breaking cheap rental blinds.

3. Design to scale. When decorating your apartment use different furniture than you would pick for a house. You may be able to get by with one ottoman instead of two or fewer side tables and floor lamps to free up the floor plan. Try a smaller scale sofa that won't overwhelm the space. Plant stands can work as nightstands. A platform bed may make a room feel bigger than a regular four poster bed. Having a headboard is important so your space doesn't feel like a college dorm room.

4. Use color. Even when you do apartment interior decorating you might feel like your house is still bland and boring. Choose painted furniture pieces with color so the white walls look intentional. Bring color in through accessories and artwork such as pottery or hanging colorful plates on the wall for a Southwest room. Pick bold colors that will really pop such as purple, orange, teal, or red.

Tips & Warnings

• If your landlord gives you permission to make any permanent changes to the apartment get it in writing so you can get your security deposit back later.