Renting? Here’s How to Refresh Your Space on a Budget

Make your rental home your own with budget-friendly, easily reversible house and apartment décor ideas. Simple, temporary changes and updated pieces that you can take with you are great ways to upgrade your living space. With the right interior updates, you'll infuse your living space with personality and avoid unwanted labour and cost when it's time to move out.

Add Character with these DIY Apartment Décor Ideas

Whether you're looking to add character to your new rental or refresh your existing one, there are plenty of quick, easy and affordable ways to decorate your apartment that aren't permanent. Choose from quick hardware updates to crafty furniture projects and simple accent pieces.

Update Existing Hardware or Fixtures

Update the unit's existing hardware or fixtures. These simple fixes can freshen up the feel of your space.

Change the pulls or knobs on cabinets and drawers. This is a simple way to upgrade anything from kitchen cabinets to a bedroom dresser.

Update your kitchen faucet or your bathroom faucet, flusher or accessories for a more modern or sophisticated look.

Switch out old light fixtures for stylish and functional lighting that reflects your taste. Dated light fixtures can drag down the look of any living space.

Replace tired outlet covers with new ones. Choose trendy covers for a quick and easy refresh, or paint them to match the walls for a seamless look. 

Hardware and fixtures come in endless options with different styles and finishes to suit your taste. Make sure to store the original hardware, so you can easily replace it when you move.

Create a Striking Accent Wall

Tackle your walls. If it's a simple refresh you want, a fresh coat of white paint can brighten up the space and won't require updating when you move. 

If you want to add more flair, consider these creative ideas and get decorating!

Update your space with removable wallpaper. Peel and stick wallpaper looks great, is easy to apply and won't damage your walls. You can use it throughout a room or to create a statement wall that stands out. Check out our Here's How Guide for all sorts of stick-on wallpaper ideas.

Put up floating shelves. Floating shelves provide an artful way to display home décor items. You can make them pop for impact or match them to the walls for a custom look.

Update the backsplash. Peel and stick tiles are a great way to refresh your kitchen backsplash. They're quick and easy to apply and easily removeable when the time comes. Peel and stick tiles are also a great solution for the bathroom. Feeling motivated? You can also tile over a worn floor for a sleek yet inexpensive finish.

Show off your creative side. Add a bold piece of art as a focal point or create a gallery wall of photos. Hang decorative plates for retro style or source funky pieces found in nature and frame them.

Get Crafty with Your Favourite Furniture

Think about your furniture when contemplating affordable apartment décor ideas. Freshening up furniture is a great way to update your living space, and you won't have to worry about changing it back when you move. 

In addition to walls, you can use temporary wallpaper to decorate furniture. Paper your bedside tables, bookcase, headboard or desk top. Cover the entire piece or paper the inside for a subtle pop of eye-catching style. 

You can also use removable wallpaper to create a colourful mirror or picture frame, paper over an old refrigerator or accent your kitchen table or island. 

Painting or staining your wood furniture is another great option. First, make sure to sand every surface so the paint or stain can absorb into the wood. You can use a lower grit sandpaper, sanding block or orbital sander if you have one on hand. With so many paint and stain options to choose from, you can stick with a traditional look that shows off the natural wood or add a pop of contrast with a bold paint colour. 

Looking for additional cheap and cheerful ways to update furniture? Apply decorative furniture tacks or pushpins as nailhead trim. Swap out drawers for baskets. Have fun and transform pieces while sticking to your budget.

Decorate the Apartment with Stylish Accent Pieces

If you are looking to enhance your living space quickly and with minimal effort, accent pieces are the way to go. And when it's time to move, you can easily take them with you. You can: 

• Hang window treatments. Choose blinds, sheer curtains or mix and match. Temporary blinds are another option and require no nails or screws 

• Add throw pillows for a pop of colour or accent the floor with a chic new rug 

• Add plants. They bring natural beauty to a room. For extra style, display plants in unique planters 

• Brighten dark rooms with extra lighting. An extra floor or table lamp can turn a gloomy space around. Stick-on LED strip lights for undercabinet lighting are great for uplifting drab kitchens

Quick and Easy Touch-Up Tips

When deciding how to upgrade your rental, you'll want to consider the possibility of patch-up work. You may need to make touch ups when you decide to move or as part of a spur-of-the-moment style update. 

If you hung items such as pictures, shelves or a TV, purchase putty and a scraper to fill in the holes. For light items consider a reusable adhesive and skip nails or tacks altogether. 

Research the tools you'll need for your DIY décor project. Whether updating fixtures or applying peel and stick wallpaper, you'll save time and effort with the right tools. 

While needs will vary by project, there are certain items that come in handy when you decorate. Purchase a household tool kit or keep essentials like these at the ready: 

• Screwdriver

• Utility knife

• Measuring tape

• Level

• Step stool

With a little imagination and fresh décor ideas, it's possible to make your rental feel like home in no time. From simple hardware changes to creative art projects, you can update the space on a budget and with minimal hassle when it's time to move. Get inspired and love where you live.