7 Easy Small Apartment Decorating Ideas on a Budget

Whether you’re living in a smaller apartment in Brooklyn or are looking to decorate an apartment in Chicago, you may put most of your energy toward getting all your belongings to fit. While this is important, you should carve out time to decorate.

Even with a small budget, if you add some creative thinking, you can decorate an apartment to be functional, personal and, well, pretty.

How to decorate an apartment

With limited space to work with, it’s important to have a vision or particular style for your decorations. Without it, you could end up making purchases you don’t have room for or that end up not working with the rest of the space. This can lead to wasted time and money.

Craft a decorating plan by collecting fabrics and color inspiration from the internet. This helps ensure a design that’s affordable and cohesive. As you begin planning, you may even find you have most of the pieces you want to display, saving even more money by repurposing and reusing.

When it’s time to shop, follow the simple advice of Gabrielle Blackman at Real Homes:

“Don’t rush into buying the first thing you see to match your vision. Consider your budget, how something will work in a space and most importantly, if you really need it. If you don’t love it, don’t buy it!”

Now, let’s dive into 7 easy ideas for how to decorate a small apartment on a budget.

1. Plant life

There’s a long list of plants that need minimal maintenance. Position them in the right spot, water occasionally and you have a simple and affordable bit of decor. Not only that, but houseplants come in every shape and size. Some flower and others don’t. You have the variety to pick a plant or two you like to liven up your apartment.

Some plants even do double-duty, providing health benefits besides looking pretty. The pot you put your plant in can add a pop of color, as well as creating an even more attractive decoration.

Terrariums, as well as cut flowers, also look great in small spaces. You can take a bouquet of fresh flowers and either display them as a large, single bunch or break down the blooms into multiple bud vases to stretch the decoration even further.

Terrariums can feature plants, as well as their own mini decorations. Organize one within a uniquely-shaped container, and it becomes a living knick-knack requiring minimal care.

2. Stick it

With limited wall space in a small apartment, you want to be deliberate with what you put up. You may also need that vertical space for shelving and storage, but save some for a little decoration.

Vinyl wall decals come as pictures, inspirational quotes and even images of your favorite characters. Applying them doesn’t require any holes in your walls, and they’re easy to remove and re-stick should you want to change up your space.

Installation is no problem, either, and you can use them to decorate cabinets and doors, too. Anywhere you want to stick them, they’ll hold on, providing you with an easy and affordable decorating strategy.

3. Hardware update

You don’t want to make any permanent changes in your apartment since you’re most likely a temporary tenant. You can, however, focus on things that are easy to change back should you want to add design elements that don’t add to the footprint of your space.

One suggestion is to switch out the cabinet and drawer pulls in your kitchen or bathroom. Replace what’s there with something that reflects your own sense of style. With options under $10 apiece, it’s not a costly change, and you get to bring the hardware with you for your next place.

The trick for this design idea is to match the footprint of the original hardware. You don’t want to add new holes into your cabinet and drawer faces. If the current pulls attach with a single screw, don’t buy ones that use two. Also, don’t forget to keep your old hardware to switch it back before you move.

4. Comfort in a signature color

It’s amazing how much a few throw pillows or a plush blanket tossed on the back of the couch can add to a room. They help create a feeling of comfort and relaxation. They can take a small space and turn it into a cozy haven. With a variety of colors, patterns, styles and materials, finding throw pillows and blankets in your signature color is easy.

Pretty to look at, these items are also functional. Larger pillows can create extra seating. Added to a daybed, throw pillows transform the furniture piece into a couch. Mix and match patterns and textures to add depth and style. You can even rotate out pillows for special holidays or the changing seasons to keep things fresh.

Additionally, if you’re tired of old, paint-faded pieces, Nathan Novick with Alpine Outlets in Denver says, “If you have used or old furniture that needs a little love, you can breathe new life into it with a quick coat of paint or simple hardware updates.” Using a color that reflects your style is a wonderful, budget-friendly decorating technique.

5. Reflect your own style

Mirrors are a perfect decorative piece in a small apartment because they help make rooms appear bigger. Rather than buy a large, more expensive mirror, try to find smaller ones in a variety of shapes and sizes to create a mirrored collage on the wall.

Their reflective power helps spread light through the room. More brightness in a small space gives the impression it’s bigger than it looks. The extra light also makes a space feel more cheery and happy.

If comfort and simplicity are the keys to your heart, Peggy Holloway with Holloway Home Design in Tacoma recommends integrating “multi-purpose furnishings, like stylish, storage ottomans.” Peggy calls these pieces, a “secret weapon to stash away cozy throws for a clutter-free look.” For additional decorative options, she suggests, “Top the ottoman with a simple wood tray to magically turn it into a coffee table for your latte or latest page-turner.”

6. Personality the easy way

If shopping for new items isn’t in the budget, don’t worry. You most likely have almost all you need at home to create your own decorations. Start with your own mementos. Pictures, postcards or dated art calendars can all transform into art pieces for your walls.

“Getting a few favorite photos up on the wall is one of the quickest and easiest ways to make a new place feel like home,” says Forbes contributing writer, Laura Gaskill.

You can even transform a series of pictures into a collage for a unique, framed print. If you have a little money in the budget for decor, pick out some stencils, paint and a small canvas or two and create your own art.

Jesus Del Carpio with Buffalo NY Painters says, “The most efficient and affordable way to decorate a room is by painting an accent wall. Adding a different color to a wall in your living room, dining room, or even bedroom could substantially transform the way it looks.”

Repurposing items can also provide unexpected decor pieces. Put a fresh coat of paint on a drab piece of furniture to make it like new. Get creative with things like empty metal tea tins, coffee tins or even food cans. Once cleaned out, they make great planters or cute storage for smaller items.

7. Don’t forget the balcony

If you’re lucky enough to get an apartment with a balcony, don’t forget to decorate that, too. How to decorate an apartment balcony isn’t complicated. Place a small table with one or two chairs out there to start. You can even get ones that fold up should you ever need to free up some space.

Add a few of the plants from inside or decorate with larger pots. Herbs grow great in a variety of climates and do well on balconies. They can also make the area smell delicious and ensure you have fresh ingredients when you cook at home.

Toss in a small, outdoor rug and you’ve created an inviting space for appetizers and cocktails with friends, as well as an additional room to read a book or savor a cup of coffee.

The design you create within your apartment can extend to the outdoors to create a sensation in your home that’s truly you.

Keep your budget in mind when decorating your small apartment

You don’t always have to buy new to find quality, decorative pieces that align with your design style. Check out your favorite stores, discount shops and outlets, but also make time to go a little off the beaten path.

Visit consignment shops, garage and estate sales as well as flea markets. Art fairs and craft fairs are yet another place to find unique pieces. They may be a little less affordable, but it can be part of your budget to splurge on one or two items.

A unique piece is something nobody can duplicate, so it’s a worthwhile investment if you find something that speaks to you.

Design for the entire space

Whether working with small or large spaces and a big or tiny budget, cohesive design choices allow you to show off your personality while establishing your home as your perfect space.

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