How to Decorate a Rental Apartment

How can you decorate and make over a rental apartment in your own style? It’s a problem many apartment dwellers struggle with. Many renters think they have to live with the apartment as it is but that isn’t true. You can decorate and when moving, leave it just as you found it, which of course is what management demands. It’s just a matter of a little imagination.

First let’s go with the walls. You can paint them in their present color just to freshen them up, or you can apply stick on wallpaper which pulls off easily. You might paper one wall or two. Maybe it’s only the entrance you wish to brighten up. Just changing the entrance will have a huge effect.

If you don’t like wallpaper, how about lattice? Lattice comes in sheets of 4 by eight feet. Paint as much lattice as you choose. Maybe just enough for a focal point or one whole wall. What about a couple of sections to hang family pictures? Paint lattice the color of your choice and tack it to the wall. This small change reflects on the look of the whole room.

Fabric tacked to the wall is another way to redo walls. There isn’t much you can do to the ceiling unless you make a fabric topping with hooks on every corner to anchor to the walls. I wouldn’t advice lattice on the ceiling because it could possibly fall. Don’t use any large nails on your walls. Use the smallest you can find.

Curtains, cushions and bed coverings can be made to match or contrast with your new walls. Lamp shades can be covered with fabric and so can upholstery. Pieces of furniture can be sanded and varnished or repainted. If you are satisfied with your furniture, how about purchasing a small desk or chest at a thrift store and paint it to be a focal piece.

If you need storage space, there are small stool type storages pieces with cushioned tops that open up. These can be set anywhere you have space, at the entrance, hallway, bedroom or living room. Place cushions on top to make them even more cozy or cover tops with fabric to match other cushions. They can be pushed under coffee and end tables and used to store games, art supplies, table linen, fabric and sewing notions or anything you have need for.

It’s very useful to have a closed cabinet for computer and bill paying in a small apartment. You can close the door and it’s always nice and neat. In small spaces it’s important to use everything for different purposes. Keep that in mind when decorating.

When moving take down your decorating items and if you have large nail holes, go to a building supply store and buy a compound to cover them with. Smooth down with sand paper and touch up with paint the same color of the walls. If it’s small tack holes it will probably be all right. Now, that wasn’t too hard, was it?

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Articles by Ruby Hawk:

http://gomestic.com/home-improvement/decorating-with-color/

http://gomestic.com/homemaking/ways-to-make-the-most-of-closet-and-cabinet-space/

http://gomestic.com/apartment-living/more-storage-solutions-for-a-small-apartment/

http://gomestic.com/do-it-yourself/how-to-hang-curtains-like-a-professional/

http://gomestic.com/apartment-living/big-living-in-a-small-apartment/