I need inexpensive ideas how to decorate my apartment?

Question

I just moved into an apartment and I didn't notice before that the walls and floors are REALLY old and ugly. I lived in the same apartment building before and it was in much much better condition. The lanlord isn't painting my apartment since they claim that it was painted 1.5 years ago but you can't tell since its old, banged up and not well kept at all.

I don't want to invest much since I don't own it and I won't be able to walk away with it once I move out. (The lanlord won't invest and fix up anything unless its something like plubming.)

Any ideas how to fix up or decorate the apartment with not spending a lot of money would be great.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Since you've been renting from the same landlord for a length of time and know he's cheap--ask him if he'd mind if you painted it yourself.

Cheap paint and a few brushes is really the least expensive way you can decorate lots of room for little money with a lot of personality.

In a former apt. building they allowed wallborders and that made a huge difference for me...I took them down before I Ieft and actually re-used them!

Sort of depends on what look you want to go for and how big your place is--

Just getting yourself a nice bed cover and using a brand new sheet to cover an old couch or chair can sharpen up something that feels old or drab.

I've always painted old pieces of furniture I've found on the side of the road and they come out great--either spray paint or brush. Simple and quick fixes.

P.S. If you decide to paint yourself--and the landlord hesistates just say, "I know you didn't paint it, just buy the paint and I'll do it myself." Or if he has an issue with color just ask him if he wouldn't mind you painting if you paint it a generic white when you do move? Most lazy landlords don't care just make sure to take before and after pictures to show the conditions of the walls and have a witness to the conversation or get it in writing. The worst thing that can happen is he demands it is repainted when you move out. No big deal.

Answer 2

Curtains make the place feel more homey and warm...wall decor like art helps to fill in the ugly, bare walls... trinkets/vases/pots/houseplants help to give the place more personality. If the landlord will let you paint, even if it's just white or eggshell, that's relatively inexpensive and can improve the look of the place...to cover up marks left by the previous tenent if nothing more. And you can take all of this (except for the paint) with you when you move!

Answer 3

Get curtain rods that are much bigger than the window so that you can cover more of the walls. Even if it's a small window you can make it look like it's big. Curtain rods are very inexpensive & come with the brackets. If you can't find cheap curtains, look for cheap sheets. If you open the side seam on the sheets at the end that has the fold over you can clip it right on the rods.

Answer 4

Try re focusing on other points in the room. The eye naturally runs to places of colour and shape. By adding these perspectives the room appears more interesting.

Wall hangings an be bought very cheaply. Visit a fabric shop and choose a couple of metres of interesting fabric. Add a length of dowel rod and hang it. Do the same with flooring areas.

Answer 5

The best way to brighten up any space is with paint. You say the walls are ugly so the best thing to do is clean them, prime them and paint them colours that make you happy. Once you paint your apartment you will be amazed at how much happier you will be. Once it's painted go to your local flea market and pick up inexpensive accents like pillows, pictures, mirrors etc. No matter how long you are planning to stay make your space comfortable for you, you'll enjoy doing it and you'll love coming home to it. Have some fun with it and pick paint colours you love. Good luck

Answer 6

I have used lattice before to cover a really bad wall.....It is yours and you can take it with you.......or resell it when you are through........You just hang it on the wall from the top and then Through one of the openings......Place a hanger for a good size print you might have....Push your couch up against it and you will be surprised at how good it will look......Lattice can be used with so many decorating themes....Jungle ,Garden.,even Tuscan and it is CHEAP. At the dollar stores around you can always buy baskets and greenery...........Several grouped together are interesting with a little greenery here and there.........If you sew...........Pillows are easy and fast...... And coordinating fabrics are fun to work with and an inexpensive way to change things.....Check out thrift stores and garage sales for boxes and containers....A lot of people are getting rid of the old ficus trees and they are really good if you have a really bad area on a wall you want to cover............As for the floor look for carpet remnant.....Big enough to cover a place in front of your sofa and one that will hide some of that floor......And then get little area rugs.....To place strategically.......Have Fun and Good Luck

Answer 7

if the walls and ceiling are rough try to scrape them as smooth as possible and cover with lining paper and you can emulsion them any colour or combination of colours you wish
lining paper is fairly cheap depending on where abouts in the UK you live from approx 50pence to £1.50p a roll hope this is of some assistance

Answer 8

Try getting tapestry's, wall hangings or some nice posters, that catch the eyes, and draw the focus of the walls themselves.