Decorating on a budget may seem difficult or even impossible. According to Colonial Van Lines, the average person spends approximately $7,700 decorating and furnishing a one-bedroom apartment. For someone trying to style on a dime, that amount is probably a lot more than you want to spend.
The better news is that whether you’ve moved into one of the apartments in Dallas, TX or have lived in your place in Omaha for years, using the following tips and tricks can help you make your apartment look great on any budget.
Start with a Plan
You have to create two game plans: one for your money and a vision of how you want your overall space to look and feel. Determine how much you can spend, what items you need, where you want to splurge, and where you can save. Once the money side of it is figured out, you can work on design. Create a vision board with photos of furniture, mirrors, wall art, carpets, candles, vases, and paint swatches that you like and inspires an overall feel and design for your apartment.
Take Inventory
What items do you have now that you love? Utilizing furniture and art that you already have will help to save you money. You can also work your design around a rug or artwork that you already own, which allows for a great jumping off point.
If you own something that no longer works for you or that you just no longer feel joy from, sell it if it’s in good shape. You can use that money towards any new items you want to purchase. It’s easy to sell most anything nowadays with apps like OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace, and Nextdoor.
Go Thrifting
Thrift stores often carry beautiful vases, wall art, furniture, and other home goods. Before hitting a department store or going online, check out thrift stores, flea markets, antiques stores, and garage sales. There’s a good chance you’ll find something amazing at a remarkable price. It’s also worth it to drive to a nearby neighborhood or city that’s known for its more expensive homes. The thrift shops there are likely to have fancy brand names and excellent quality finds. Take your time and search value stores and garage sales for a while before you decide to buy brand new. This weekend’s sales may be lacking, but next weekend, or even next month, you may find exactly what you were looking for.
Less is More
Not only will the “less is more” mentality have a better impact on your budget, it’s something that’s recommended in good design. Don’t buy what you don’t need. At the same time, your design doesn’t need to feel minimalist. You just want to avoid clutter, knick knacks, over-decorating, and taking up space you don’t have with most apartments on the smaller side.
Big Changes
Even when renting, it may still be possible to make big changes. Ask the property manager if you can paint the walls provided you paint them back to their original color before moving out. Paint is inexpensive and can make a huge difference in styling your apartment. You can also remove plastic window coverings and replace them with curtains. Get a large area rug for your main living space and put it right on top of your current carpet.
Styling your apartment may seem like a daunting task, but when you have a plan, a solid budget, and take your time, it can easily be done.