Just moving into your first apartment and need ideas for decorating? Or, have you lived in your place for awhile but you need an apartment makeover? Here’s some budget decorating tips that will liven up your space while not breaking the bank.

Most apartments have all-white walls because many landlords do not allow residents to paint. But, don’t let that stifle your decorating sense! You can liven up a room with colorful curtains, pillows, lamps, candles, blankets, area rugs, and even wall decals.

How to Use Color
Warm colors help create a cozy feeling. These colors are: red-violet, red, red-orange, orange, yellow-orange, and yellow.
Cool make the space seem more spacious with a touch of elegance. These colors are: green, blue-green, blue, and blue-violet. White can have the same effect.
Depending on your style and the colors that convey the feeling you want, you can create a complete look just by sticking to a simple color palette. Just because you can’t paint the walls, does not mean you can’t paint your furniture! Stick to 2 – 3 colors that harmonize well together. You may even find some fabric or a rug as inspiration.

Bargain Furniture
Where can you find bargain furniture? Friends and family are a good place to start! Many people are storing unused end tables and chairs in their garage and would be happy for their furniture to find a new home in your space. Still need more? Try garage sales and thrift stores. Remember, fabric seat covers are easy to recover and faded wood furniture will pop with a coat of paint.

Keep it Simple
A small apartment will feel larger if you use cool colors, and minimal amounts of furniture. Avoid busy patterns that can overwhelm your room on items like curtains, tablecloths and bedspreads.

Try this Look

See how these Sweeties wall stickers make this room look complete by tying in with the red color of the pillow and bedspread? Just peel and stick to dress up a white wall with the look of wall paper, but no mess and permanence. Just as easy to remove as it is to install. Vinyl wall decals are easy to take down when you move and won’t leave residue on the walls like paper backed stickers. It’s an inexpensive designer look for you that will also keep the landlord happy.