Living Room Ideas
Whether you’ve got a cozy space in the city, or found an affordable apartment on the outskirts of town, budget-friendly small apartment decorating ideas are something we are always looking out for.
With real estate still being advertised at premium prices, many of us aren’t blessed with a ton of square footage.
So it’s always inspiring to see well thought-out apartment decorating ideas that are considerate of smaller setups too.
Looking for small apartment decorating ideas on a budget?
Make your apartment space feel like home with these home decor ideas.
From DIY furniture to home accents, there are plenty of apartment decor ideas to choose from.
With these cheap and easy projects for the home, you can make your apartment look classy without spending much money!
You will find ideas for inspiration that are great for renters and college dorm rooms.
Budget apartment living room ideas
Curtains will make your space feel bigger Recreate thisapartment decorating ideas on a budget.
Seriously, they get the job done. I love adding curtains to my space when I want a little spice and to feel a bit fancier.
For real, if you want to feel put together, add curtains haha. They will make your space look and feel 10x more expensive.
Note: Many times the window treatments are already installed in a rental property, but if you need or want treatments on a budget, consider making your own—no sewing skills needed. Fusible bonding web (also known as stitch witchery) is available at fabric and craft stores and can be used to create simple, finished-edged panels of fabric to hang over windows or glass doorways.
Most apartments provide little to no space for a traditional dining table and chairs, which is why counter dining sets can be a total game-changer when it comes to apartment dining style.
You don’t need a “dining room” to create an entertaining zone.
With a small space-friendly round table, square table, triangle table our counter-height table, you can dine and entertain easily.
And if your kitchen has a breakfast bar, that can be an additional meal destination.
Taller in size than traditional dining sets, counter sets take up more vertical space – and less floor space.
And because they are often smaller by design than traditional sets, they often come at more affordable price ranges.
If you’re working with a small apartment dining area, incorporate a streamlined counter set to save you space and money – and keep your apartment style on-trend.
- Install a floating shelf (or three) on a sliver of your living room wall to score some vertical storage space.
2. Add impact to your living space with bands of color painted as horizontal stripes or use blocks of color to create a focal point such as the backdrop to a favorite artwork, or perhaps highlight architectural detailing.
3. Vivid hues and lively tones work well in budget apartment living rooms that are made for entertaining.
4. Efficiently Arrange The Furniture
In a small living room throw out old stuff if it doesn’t match your new vision.
As the new stuff flows in, it’s time to be cold-hearted and throw out your old junker stuff.
Those sentimental attachments can get in the way of achieving the look you desire.
I found a quote that I feel really speaks on this and it’s from Francis Jourdain, “One can furnish a room very luxuriously by taking out furniture rather than putting it in.”
Creating your very own gallery wall in your apartment couldn’t be easier, or cheaper.
Often it can be hard to know what to put that expanse of space behind the sofa, a gallery wall is a good option and it won’t break the bank.
If you’re on a shoestring budget, keep the original base of the lamp, and buy a new shade that adds a pop of color or a graphic pattern to liven up your apartment cheaply.
Related: How to travel on a budget?
Modern Style/Smaller Space
Whether you prefer to have a coffee table or large cocktail ottoman, your lounging zone should have some type of surface for storing/displaying essentials and decor.
If you want to go for a multipurpose piece, a lift-top coffee table can act as a desk and dining table.
Alternative: Create a coffee table display.
A nice candle, a stylish coffee table book, a vase of flowers, a couple of cute coasters and voila, the focal point of your living room now looks like something that came straight out of Pinterest but you’ve only spent a few bucks.
Fitting a bunch of furniture into a studio apartment can be tricky, but a few multi-functional pieces save on space while doubling up on functionality.
A storage bench acts as extra seating (for you or your pet!) when easily moved from the end of the bed into the living room.
Sleeper sofas serve as a secret guest bed when friends and family come over. Multifunctional furniture is great for small apartments.
Storage Ideas
A crate storage unit can be used in just about any room in your apartment.
Great in your entryway for shoes and accessories, a great place to store dishes, or just about any need for more storage space.
If you need extra space for stowing away clothes and sheets, you can even look into getting a bed with storage drawers.
More Space
- A Rolling Utility Cart
These are great for small spaces.
They are versatile, customizable, and mobile so you can move them around.
You can also use them in the kitchen for extra storage space (e.g. coffee or bar cart).
You can get carts at IKEA for around $20.
You may also check Amazon to make the best use of limited space in the kitchen.
- Storage The Quick and easy way
If you’re scant of wall space, consider incorporating shelving ideas above your headboard.
This is not only a space-saving idea, but you can make this a feature or ‘shelfie’ in your sleeping area.
It’s also a great way to display picture frames if you’re not allowed to use nails or adhesive materials as part of a rental agreement.
Work Wonders With Small Spaces
Try these simple budget decorating ideas for infusing unique style and personality into your apartment.
Those decorating ideas will give your space an illusion of depth that will make it seem like you have extra room.
Larger house plants can however still be expensive so to create the illusion of your room being filled with lots of greenery, arrange groups of small plants at different heights.
Small Apartment Lighting
Adding additional lighting to a room is a cheap way to brighten up a drab style. When lighting a room, think in layers from top to bottom.
Overhead lighting is a given and lamps can provide a soft glow or task lighting, but do not neglect floor uplighting or accent lighting to highlight art, cabinets, or bookcases.
One of our favorite ways to save money on a project while still getting quality items in a home is using makers from Etsy.
There are so many great small lighting shops that have amazing products for a fraction of the price of big retailers.
‘You can find vintage or newly-made lamps specifically for living rooms”.
Avoid making your room feel like an over-lit operating theatre by going for floor or table lamps at different heights; layering your lighting this way will create cozy pools of light that can quickly change the mood of a room.
Low Budget Style and Decorating ideas
Accessories-One of the best ways to add color and personality to a rental is through accessories.
Accessories are easily portable. To add uniqueness to an otherwise bland apartment or rental home, look for handmade or vintage items to spruce up your decor.
Add punches of color through throw pillows and small accessories such as pottery, photo frames, or book covers.
These items are inexpensive, can be easily painted, covered up, or donated if they do not match or fit into your next home.
For the bulk of your decorating, stick with ideas that are not part of the physical area.
Invest in items you can take with you when you move, such as throw pillows, bedspreads, artwork, furniture and area rugs.
Mix up textures, colors and patterns to add interest to the house.
To keep the right balance between edgy-bohemian vibe and full on carpet shop, stick to a simple color palette and use neutral rugs, such as jute, as a base.
Walls
Wall Decor Ideas for Boosting Blah Spaces
Stick to lighter colors Oh my gosh, this tip is so important.
For real, if you have a smaller place, stick with thesecolors!! I promise you can pull out your moody dark colors when you get your mansion but light colors will make your entire house feel 10x bigger than it actually is.
Also, the paint is not expensive!!
Stick to your taste, just try to stay as light as possible when it comes to your walls and large pieces (like furniture, paintings, etc).
Whether you opt for patterned wallpaper, fabric or simply add a few house plants to your room, it provides an uplifting and optimistic feel.
Don’t overcrowd
Apartments are notoriously small and you don’t want to unintentionally create an insanely claustrophobic room.
In particular we’re seeing an increase in decorating and co-ordinating their flooring with their walls.
When you find a color that works for you, be brave and consider using it on both the floor and ceiling. Gentler, tranquil shades such as lilac, will create a calming inviting environment.
Apartment Hacks
Don’t decorate your whole apartment all at once
As you begin decorating, Experts advise to start with one room.
This eliminates the anxiety of having to decorate the entire apartment at once. Patience is a virtue – especially for your wallet.
Develop a “big vision” or you’ll buy things for the wrong reasons.
The key to smart apartment decorating is to start with a master plan, or a “big vision” before you buy anything.
“Without a road map, you will end up going in circles and making costly mistakes.
The best approach is to stick to a budget-friendly queen size or full size bed with clean lines.
These accents will give your apartment decorating a personalized touch and act as the focal point in your bedroom.
Whether you want a full length floor mirror to see your entire outfit, or just need a wall mirror that lets you confirm you’re the fairest of them all, any looking glass will do.
Conclusion: Save And Control the Clutter
Simply keep your clutter under control and keep your space organized to maximize the little room you have.
I honestly feel so proud when I can find ways to make a space look luxurious for a penny of the price.
Through the years of decorating my spaces from my room in my parent’s house, to my dorm, to my apartment, I’ve accumulated a few tips, tricks, and secrets that make ideas on a budget possible.
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