Apartment/ Dorm Decor Tips

We have all been there. We pinch our pennies and eat peanut butter and jam sandwiches every meal to afford our first place all by ourselves. And even though the walls are usually just some kind of white and the space is very bare we love it because it is ours. I don't think that rentals or dorms should be boring and lacking in personality. There are some simple ways to add character to a space without breaking the piggy bank or loosing a security deposit.

1) Art
While it used to be that posters and magazines pictures were pasted to the wall with sticky tack or tape there have been some serious leaps forward in the ways people can fasten things to walls. My favorite non-marking wall hangers are the Command Picture Strips and Command Wall Hooks. (click here to find them.)

You know what this means? You can create so many things. Ikea has a great selection of art work that is reasonably priced! So find your favourite paintings or pictures and get hanging. Or for an even more personal touch you can create a photo wall of all your own pictures. I personally like the idea of a photo wall with mis-matched frames and fun adventure pictures.

2) Linens
Who said your bed has to be boring? There are so many cute comforters out there that are bursting with color, pattern, and life that will brighten even the most boring of bedrooms. Of course you can find fun bedding just about everywhere but I prefer to splurge just a little bit because you spend so much time in and around your bed I think that's where the most money should be spent. I choose some of my favs from the PB Teen collections.



 

 3) Home Accents

From a colorful throw on your couch to a collection of knick knacks from your travels the accents placed around your home can completely change the feel of your house/apartment/dorm. A colorful vase with some pretty flowers can create a pop of color on your kitchen table. Even if you don't have a lot of extra spending money there are so many ways to incorporate your own touches into a space. Check out places like Homegoods or Ikea for cute items to place around your house. Or if you're really short on cash then shop your closet. A cute clutch and some shoes can add a super girly feel to a vignette on a bookshelf or console table.

 

4) Wallpaper???

Yes wallpaper. While some may shudder just at that word in a renters world hear me out. There is a great new technology in wallpaper that makes it come off super quick and easy without damaging walls. Choose a wall in your space and pick a pattern that makes you smile. It does cost just a little bit more then the normal stuff but in the long run when you're not dealing with the mess of removal its well worth it. If that idea is still kind of daunting especially for a single girl (I couldn't put up wallpaper if you paid me a million dollars) what about wallpaper panels.

 

There are two different ways you could do this. If you have a handyman in your life get him to make you some bases and just hang those. Or if your so not a DIY person or don't know anyone that is you can always just go somewhere and find a huge frame with a pretty border and put a piece of wallpaper into it. Panels can double as art on a blank wall.

 

5) Double Duty Furniture

Furnishing your fist place can be scary and not to mention expensive. But have no fear there are some simple ways not to break the bank. First ask yourself is it necessary to have a kitchen table? Do you cook or have people over for dinner a lot? Or is it just you? If you don't absolutely have to have a piece of furniture don't. And don't buy something just because most people have it. Of course if you're like me and do like having a kitchen table you can always use that as a desk as well which is what I do. Which leads me to find ways to use furniture for multiple uses. A sofa table can double as a desk and a bookcase can hold more then just books with simple baskets for the more unsightly things.