How to Make an Apartment Feel Like Home: Simple, Budget-Friendly Hacks
The temporary nature of rentals can sometimes make them appear impersonal and limit your rental décor ideas, but you don’t have to be a homeowner to live in a space that feels like yours. Whether you’re in an apartment, a townhome, or a house, there are plenty of renter-friendly apartment decorating tips to create warm and welcoming spaces without risking your security deposit. From comforting textures to clever layout tricks, these easy rental upgrades will transform your space into a place you genuinely love coming home to. Read on and learn how to decorate an apartment!
1. Customize with temporary décor for rentals.
One of the quickest, low-effort ways to make a big impact and personalize your rental is through temporary décor. Peel-and-stick wallpaper, removable decals, and adhesive backsplash panels can instantly help you start decorating without damaging walls and allow you to make a statement without leaving a mark. These apartment décor ideas are especially useful in frequented areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways.
For renter-friendly kitchen upgrades, swapping out hardware for cabinetry, such as doorknobs and drawer handles, along with light fixtures, can add personality with minimal effort and minimal investment. Just remember to hang onto the originals!
Tip: Use brass or matte black hardware to modernize a dated kitchen or bathroom in minutes. Even small changes can reflect your style while keeping things lease-friendly!
2. Layer textures for instant coziness.
Textures play a key role in making a place inviting. Looking for cozy rental ideas? Throw blankets, plush pillows, and eclectic rugs embody a sense of softness and warmth. Carpets and throw rugs are ideal for laminated or hardwood flooring, offering comfort while defining areas of your home. Mix and match textures like wool, flannel, fleece, and even velvet, paired with color schemes that complement and captivate.
3. Upgrade windows with renter-friendly treatments.
The renter-friendly decorating finesse doesn’t stop at your floors. Often considered the “eyebrows of a space,” window treatments are a prime opportunity to make your home finished and elevated without making permanent changes. Curtains not only provide privacy but also soften bare windows and add charm to your home. If your rental comes with basic blinds, layer sheer curtains over them for a sophisticated look. Or add a bit of balance and beauty with colorful drapes that pull your room together and beat the heat in the summer.
4. Make the most of wall space.
Blank walls have a way of making a space cold and sterile, but you don’t need nails to make them shine. Use adhesive hooks or hanging strips to mount your favorite works of art, vintage mirrors, or lightweight shelving to showcase keepsakes and trinkets. Design a photo or gallery wall with prints that bring you joy, or build a mood board with inspiring images.
RELATED: How to Create a Gallery Wall Like an Interior Designer
5. Bring nature’s beauty indoors.
Plants breathe life into your home. Integrating natural elements in your apartment decorating ideas can make your rental feel more grounded and calm, whether you choose vibrant greenery or low-maintenance succulents. Other good plants for apartments include:
- Snake plants
- ZZ plants
- Pothos
- Peace lilies
Even a small herb garden can bring freshness and function to your home.
6. Define spaces with furniture and layout.
If you’re in need of small apartment decorating ideas or your rental boasts an open layout, use furniture to carve out defined zones when decorating a rental. Carpets can separate living and dining areas, while bookshelves and folding screens double as stylish room dividers (game changers for studio rentals).
Situate furniture into conversational areas, situating sofas and chairs around coffee and end tables. Be sure to incorporate multi-functional furniture like storage ottomans, foldout desks, or nesting tables. These help maximize space without cluttering it.
RELATED: Top Interior Design Mistakes People Make (& How to Fix Them)
7. Experiment with scents.
Leave your signature by infusing your home with your favorite scents. Feature candles, diffusers, decorative wax warmers, or incense to evoke familiarity and comfort. Choose accessories in colors that tie everything together and make the space cohesive. For added flair in your apartment décor, curate a simple reading nook or mini coffee station.
8. Personalize your rental with unique touches.
Making your rental feel like a home ends with the finishing touches. Show off your one-of-a-kind personality by displaying items with significant meaning: books, souvenirs, art you’ve made, and cards loved ones have given you. These pieces make easy DIY décor for renters, tell your story, and make your home authentically yours.
Make A Rental Feel Like Home—One Detail at a Time
Decorating a rental and turning it into a home doesn’t require major renovations or a big budget. Using a few intentional, renter-friendly apartment decorating ideas that reflect your personality can elevate any space. From layering snuggly textures and upgrading window treatments to adding plants, art, and personal touches, each element exudes ambiance, style, and function. These simple yet impactful apartment decorating tips can make even the most generic rental a true reflection of you.
Whether you’re renting or looking to take the leap, creating a space you love is always worth the effort. Looking to become a new homebuyer? Check out our article on the benefits of HOA living!