How to Decorate an Apartment (Renter Decor Ideas)

Living in an apartment doesn’t mean you have to settle for blank walls and builder-basic everything. These renter decor ideas will show you how to decorate an apartment in simple ways that make a huge difference.

Finn and I spent five years as renters during our twenties, traveling from Wisconsin to Missouri, and finally back home to Chicago. During that time, we learned a lot about how to decorate an apartment and make temporary spaces feel like home.

While I couldn’t tear down walls or completely renovate a bathroom, there were still plenty of renter-friendly projects I could do to make our apartments feel more personal and more like us.

And if you’re worried about making design mistakes in a rental, I also wrote a post about the most common mistakes people make when decorating an apartment.

Apartment Decorating Tips for Renters

I know many of you are renters, so I thought it was time to talk about how to decorate an apartment and make it feel more personal to your style. Whether you’re in your first apartment, a new apartment, or a rental apartment you know won’t be living in forever, there are still so many ways to make it feel like home.

No Excuses

First things first…I don’t care if your lease expires in six months or your landlord says you absolutely can’t put a nail hole in your wall! There are no excuses when it comes to “waiting” to decorate your apartment.

I used to always be in the mindset of “When I have a home, I’ll buy this,” or “When we move into our own place I’ll print those pictures and hang them.” I finally changed my mindset and decided to enjoy the space I was already living in. My new motto is “Don’t wait!”

You may not be able to install picture frame molding or add permanent built-ins, but there are still plenty of ways to decorate an apartment and make your living space feel more homey and personal.

Start with the Walls When Decorating an Apartment

Okay, now that you’re officially on board the decorating train, the first step is to think about the walls. And at this point, you’re probably thinking, “Casey, I want to get my deposit back. There’s no way I’m painting my walls.” I totally hear ya. But I also know that painting is an easy and affordable DIY project that can make a huge impact, especially in a small space.

Here are some options…

1. Ask your landlord for permission to paint your walls a nice neutral color. Neutral tones and light colors are a great way to warm up a space without doing anything too wild. (Check out this post for some color inspiration and this one has my favorite warm white paint colors).

If your landlord is smart, they’ll understand that you only want to improve their property, which makes it a win-win for all parties. That’s what we did in our past rental, and our landlord gave us the green light. And before you paint, check out this blog post with rookie painting mistakes that you’ll want to avoid.

2. If your landlord says the walls must be white when you move out, then you can always paint them back at the end of your lease, which, while being a pain, is still an option.

3. If those first two options don’t work, then leave your walls white and spruce them up in other ways. Some of my favorite apartment decor ideas are all about adding wall art, texture, and personality without making major permanent changes.

• Install some removable wallpaper: I’ve used peel-and-stick wallpaper in the past, and it was a fun DIY project. (You can read the tutorial here.) It’s an easy way to add color, pattern, and personality to a small apartment without committing to anything permanent. While I’ve personally never removed peel-and-stick wallpaper, I put a call out on Instagram, and a majority of my followers said it was easy to take off!

• Display a large leaning mirror in your entryway – this one is gorgeous! A large mirror is one of the easiest ways to bounce around natural light and make smaller spaces feel bigger. Just be sure to secure it to the wall so it doesn’t topple over.

• Create a gallery wall of picture frames. Yes, you will have to fill nail holes when you move out, but c’mon, that won’t take you long at all. Here’s a tutorial on how to fix those bad boys. Don’t let nail holes be an excuse for blank walls.
• Wall art is such a great way to create a focal point and bring life to your apartment. I’ve also used heavy-duty 3M Command Strips to hang art, so that could be an option if nail holes really scare you!
• Hang some shelves: These will leave larger holes, but this tutorial walks you through how to patch those holes. Shelves are also a smart way to use vertical space, especially in small apartments where every inch counts. If you’re new to tools, this beginner’s guide to using a power drill walks you through everything you need to know
• Display a large tapestry like this one.

Invest in Pieces you Love

Just because you live in a rental doesn’t mean you have to live with furniture from your college days. The right furniture pieces can completely change the feel of an apartment and help your space go from college dorm to grown-up and pulled together.

Many people assume that whatever they buy now simply won’t fit in a future home, so they keep putting it off. Maybe you should avoid buying a ten-person dining room table or something super specific, but I think it’s a-okay to invest in a coffee table, bed frame, headboard, or rug you really love. If a piece fits your personal style, chances are you’ll find a place for it later too.

Best Decor Pieces to Buy For an Apartment

• Headboards
• Accent Chairs
• Area Rugs: In fact, this is a MUST on the rental to-buy list. If you have ugly stained carpet or scratched hardwood floors, you can cover those suckers up with a nice area rug of your choice. Area rugs are great investment pieces and make any living space look that much more complete. Plus, they’re comfy on your feet and absorb some noise. Your neighbors will thank you! Here’s a guide to finding the perfect rug.
• Good Lighting: Harsh lighting isn’t going to do your home any favors.  (This post outlines my rules for layering lighting.) Instead, bring in some table lamps and floor lamps to give the room a warmer, cozier feel. Good lighting totally changes the feel of a room, especially when you choose the right light bulb. Plus, you won’t have to rely on any harsh fluorescent lighting in your rental.
• Plug-In Sconces: You can make your lighting look more custom with plug-in sconces. These are such a good option for apartment dwellers because they give you that high-end feel without hardwiring anything. This post outlines how to install them and hide the cord.
• Mattress and nightstands: It is likely that you will be able to move these with you to your next place. Invest in a nice mattress and your back will thank you!
• Small Ottomans: If you need more storage and space, then a cute little ottoman is the way to go. It can make a small room feel more functional without taking up much square footage.

Small Apartment Ideas That Make a Big Impact

Now that we’ve got the basics covered, it’s time to really add your personality to your space. These are the little decor pieces and finishing touches that can completely change the overall look of your space.

• Change kitchen, bath, and closet hardware: Just be sure to keep the bag of old hardware to trade out when it’s time to move. This post goes into detail about choosing the best hardware.
• Ditch the rental blinds: Pull vertical blinds to the side and horizontal ones all the way up, and instead go for curtains or drapes. Window treatments make such a big impact and are one of the best ways to soften a room, frame the window, and make the whole apartment feel more finished.
• Buy some plants or succulents: If you have a green thumb, amazing. If not, artificial plants can still give your apartment that lived-in, styled look. This post outlines the indoor plants I have in my home.
• Add color with pillows and throws: This is such an easy way to build out your color scheme and make a space feel cozy.
• Style a bookshelf with your favorite reads, photos, and souvenirs from your travels. This post outlines the dos and don’ts for styling shelves.
• Invest in quality bedding
• Add a bar cart and style it up with your favorite decanters and wine bottles. 

Rental Style – Shop the Look

Rental-Friendly DIY Projects

If you’re itching to dive into some DIY projects but you’ve held back because you’re not a homeowner, I’m here to tell you that there are still plenty of projects you can tackle. These are some of my favorite ways to add personality to an apartment without losing that renter-friendly mindset.

• Make DIY abstract art and build a custom frame for it.
• Transform outdated decor with spray paint.
• Try these inexpensive art ideas for your walls.
• Make simple wood shelves.
• Plant flowers for your patio or balcony space.
• Change your toilet seat with a fresh, new one!
• Make a budget-friendly bath tray.
• DIY book or picture ledges for your walls.
• Make your own marble side table.
• Build a DIY wood planter box for your table.

Love Your Home

Whether you’re a lifetime renter, or you just put a down payment on your slice of suburbia, I think it’s important to show your home some love. Home is a place to gather and make memories and, in the end, that’s the most important tip I can give you.

Fill your home with special people, and it will automatically become a special place to be. So please don’t be afraid to decorate your apartment and make it feel like you. You got this!

Casey

If you’re looking for more rental content, this blog post goes into the 10 common mistakes I see when people decorate a rental. Come see if you’re making any of them…