If you are about to move out on your own for the first time or have recently signed a lease at your first apartment, chances are you find yourself on a tight budget when it comes to actually decorating the apartment you will be paying for for the next 6-12 months. After putting down the security deposit, paying all required application fees, and selling out the money for your first and last month of rent, it can be difficult coming up with the money to pay for furniture and other necessities, let alone money to pay for decorative items. Here are some tips to help you make your first apartment look great without spending a fortune.
Buy Your Paint at Walmart
Paint can dramatically alter the way a room looks for the better. If your apartment complex allows you to paint the walls in the apartment, take advantage of it to make your place look great. Walmart sells interior paint cheaper than anywhere else I have found, with some brands costing as low as $7 a gallon. They also have a wide variety of awesome colors to choose from, making it easy to pick the right shade for you.
Old wooden furniture can easily be updated with a few coats of paint, and you will be surprised to find that even the ugliest coffee table can become fabulous after you change the color. Regular, interior house paint can easily be used to repaint wooden furniture such as entertainment stands, bookshelves, tables and chairs. Using inexpensive paint to redecorate your existing furniture or cheap furniture from a thrift store is a cheaper alternative to buying a new set.
Apartments typically have some form of blinds on the windows to provide privacy. While blinds may be practical, they do little to further the decor of the place. You can inexpensively make your own curtains using fabric from any hobby store. You will find that having curtains on your windows will not only make the room look great but will also keep the room more temperate. This will save you money on your utility bill as you will not need to spend as much money to heat or cool your apartment.
Use Decorative Shelves
Decorative shelving units will not only make your apartment look more put together, they will also provide much needed storage space. There are a number of different shelving options for you to consider using in your apartment, and you will be surprised at how many different types of shelves you can find inexpensively at thrift stores.
Apartment carpeting is usually very cheap and low-grade, making it easy to ruin. To prevent yourself from having to pay to replace the carpet when you move out, purchase inexpensive area rugs to decorate the room and protect the flooring. Stores like Walmart, Target and TJMAXX sell a wide variety on inexpensive area rugs.
