Budget Decorating an Apartment

Accents, like pillows, are an inexpensive way to add color to a room.

Whether you live in a studio apartment or a sprawling mansion, decorating can make all the difference. In fact, it's decorating that makes an apartment more than an apartment; it makes an apartment a home. However, decorating even the smallest spaces can quickly get expensive. To make your apartment look like a million bucks while spending considerably less, use some creativity and innovation to achieve the look you want without the debt you don't.

Organize

Although organizing should be the first step of any DIY decorator's plan, this is especially important in an apartment where space is likely limited. Although organization materials like bins, shelves and crates can get expensive, you'll save money if you plan an entire organizational system before you begin. First, see what you can get rid of. Throw away clothes you haven't worn in the last two months and go through bookshelves, odds-and-ends drawers and closets to see what you can get rid of. Sell these items to help offset the cost of decorating. Next, sit down with a pen and paper and sketch out how your ideal, organized apartment would look. Make sure to note how you would store everything, from outside items to underwear and socks. Finally, using your plan, measure the spaces in which you plan to put bookshelves, dressers and other organizational tools, then hit the yard sales and department store discounts with your list of specifics. Though it may take some time, you'll soon find you have what you need to completely organize your apartment.

Prioritize

Understand that, on a budget, you won't be able to redecorate or re-do everything in your apartment. However, if you're strategic about what you do take on, it's possible to completely re-imagine the look of your home. For instance, HGTV states that just paining one wall can transform your home and how you feel in it. If you need help deciding which projects will really spruce up your home, consider hiring an interior design student or enlisting the services of a close friend with a flair for the artistic, instead of hiring an interior decorator.

Revitalize

The key to a homey apartment is vitality --- life. It needs to look like someone lives there, someone with a personality, with likes and dislikes. The best way to achieve this is to purchase, secondhand or at a deep discount, items that really interest you. Unique touches, like framed photos and art, lamps and furniture, can be wonderful additions to even the smallest apartment. According to Apartment Guide, you can still create the illusion of space in an apartment that contains a number of conversation pieces. Just make sure to paint your walls a neutral color, like white or tan. However, don't overdo it on the interesting items, or your apartment will look cluttered. Consider going re-sale and garage sale shopping until you find the pieces that perfectly match your personality and other decor.

Accessorize

Accessories like throw pillows, curtains and tablecloths can cost next to nothing at a dollar store or on the clearance rack of a department store, but they can really change the look of a room. Add accessories to brighten a room that looks to dull or use them in place of larger items, like furniture and paintings, while you're still looking for those items at a budget price.

References

• HGTV: How to Make an Apartment Your Own
• Apartment Guide: How to Decorate Your Apartment on a Budget