Here’s how to decorate your apartment on a budget

Decorating your apartment on a shoestring budget can seem like a challenge. But it shouldn’t be.

In fact, with a little creativity and ingenuity, you can spruce things up and transform any bare-bones space into a designer showcase—all on a tight budget!

If you’re looking to give your home a stylish refresh without spending a fortune, you’re in luck. Below are eight affordable décor ideas that we picked from these furnished rentals in San Francisco for your inspiration.

Hang Long Curtains High

Whether it’s for privacy or light blocking, you likely need curtains.

When hung correctly, curtains can add a lot of style to your apartment décor. Mount the curtain rod as high as possible, so your curtains are closer to the ceiling when hung.

Also, use a long curtain that extends about six inches below the window’s lower sash. This will make your windows appear taller while adding brightness and texture to dull walls.

It’ll also make your small space feel larger.

Lay Down a Multicolored Area Rug

You can’t overhaul your apartment’s flooring on a budget.

Instead, you can use a color-patterned rug to make it a lot more interesting. Rugs can help camouflage unstylish flooring by making it feel a lot cozier.

For best results, choose colors and patterns that coordinate with your other décor throughout each room. Little patches of cohesion can go a long way in making your apartment feel whole and connected.

The best part is, you don’t need an expensive rug to create a cozy, relaxing space.

Make a Statement with Art

Art matters much more than you can fathom. This is especially the case when decorating your apartment on a budget. A large-scale print or painting can transform a living room wall into an artful display.

Hang up your photos, puzzles, patterned wallpapers, or other kinds of art on an empty wall to make it the focal point of your living room.

You can also paint your wall in a bold hue to give your room interest and depth.

Brighten Up Dark Areas

Nothing can make or break a room quite like lighting. Good lighting sets the ambiance, changes the mood, and adds a touch of drama and grandeur to a subdued space.

Luckily, you don’t need to use a hardwired ceiling fixture if you have a limited budget.

Instead, invest in cheap lamps for nightstands, side tables, and end tables. Illuminate dark corners with floor lamps and use plug-in sconces in hallways. Give your kitchen a new life by using plug-in under cabinet lighting.

Add a Pop of Plant Color

Plants can liven up any room at a price that cannot be beat. Whether it’s a large houseplant or a window box full of herbs, the pay-off is instant.

Plus, live plants will thrive year-round with little maintenance.

Add plants to the windowsill in the living room, kitchen counters, a nightstand beside the bed, and any other place that you deem fit. An interesting plant display livens up a neutral space while helping you become more productive.

Create Some Magic with a Mirror

Using a statement mirror is a quick and easy way to upgrade your apartment on the fly. Mirrors reflect light and create the illusion that the space is bigger than it actually is.

In fact, tall mirrors can make a ceiling appear higher while illuminating dimmer parts of the room.

Hang a mirror close to a window in your dining room to make it feel larger and brighter.

Similarly, swap out the regular sink mirror in your bathroom with one that exemplifies your unique décor style to create a dramatic vibe for your bathroom.

Put Up Floating Shelves

Floating shelves offer functional space to showcase a collection of decorative objects and souvenirs in your apartment. These shelves often take up less space than chests, bookcases and tables.

And they have an open design that serves as a strong basis for rotating displays.

The good thing about the floating shelves is that they make your apartment look more casual and modern.

Plus, metal or wood shelving will go with pretty much anything. That means you don’t need to make any more holes in your apartment walls in order to change the look of your vignette.

Paint Your Walls, Ceiling and Cabinet

To make your apartment even more beautiful, you can consider painting your walls, ceiling and cabinet with decorative, substantial and eye-catching colors. When you cover these areas with a fresh coat of paint, you make them look remodeled at a fraction of the cost.

You’ll want to paint the walls in a vibrant hue to create a dramatic focal point of your apartment. There’s no need to actually paint your bedroom if your budget can’t support that vision. You can make do with colorful décor items, such the bright blue media console or orange plant stand.

Now, which of these tips for decorating an apartment on a budget have you tried? How was the experience?

Please share with us in the comments section below.