Once you're done with all the logistics of a move and have had a minute to breathe, you can start enjoying the exciting parts of living in a brand new apartment. For many, the fun begins at the opportunity to personalize the living space. A typical problem with this, however, is that the move has strained your budget and you are still working on breathing life back into your bank account.
That's okay! With a little bit of digging mixed with creativity, you can create a well put together living space on any budget.
Getting Started
Pick a Theme
You will probably want to pick a theme or two before you begin your bargain decorating adventure, just so you have an idea of what you'll be looking for when rooting through second hand items or any discount stores. Decide on something that's broad enough for you to be flexible with your design concept, or maybe even just a color you like. If you already have a great item that you'd like to be the focal point of your room, use that as a starting point for everything else to fall into place.
Ask About Painting
Some apartment buildings may not want you to paint at all, but usually landlords are okay with this as long as you paint the walls back before you move – just be sure to ask before you get started. If your landlord gives you the green light on painting, you can utilize this method as an inexpensive yet drastic change to your apartment. To cut costs, don't get a custom paint mixed for you at your local hardware store, look into any marked down paint, including colors that were mixed for other customers. Sometimes customers decide they don't want the paint anymore, or the hardware store mixed it incorrectly. Whatever the case, this may mean savings and freshly painted walls for you.
Make a List
You can get a "wish list" of sorts going by writing down general items you would want to see in each room. You should also put a dollar amount down for how much money you'd be willing to spend on each room, so you can be conscious of your budget throughout your shopping experience. TIP: If you have very specific items in mind, you may want to consider calling stores ahead of time to see if they carry such items, so you won't have to waste a trip if they don't.
Where to Buy
Although there are many home goods and furniture stores all over the place, a lot of decorations can be found in alternative places as well.
Thrift Stores and Dollar Stores
It may be difficult to find larger furniture items at thrift stores on a regular basis, but if you keep checking back, you can get great deals on donated furniture pieces like couches and end tables. Thrift stores often have a wide variety of electronics, household knick-knacks and appliances, too. If you like to read, you can purchase a number of old books to display on any currently empty shelves. Often times you can find old paintings and picture frames for under $3. At dollar stores, you can find many miscellaneous items from dishtowels to picture frames to glass vases that can be filled with plastic gems or colored water. You can empty glow stick liquid into mason jars for a cost-effective lighting arrangement for your living room.
Discount Stores
Sure, you can check stores like Wal-Mart or Target for home décor items, but many times these items are overpriced and can be found elsewhere for a fraction of the cost. Try stores like Marshalls or Ross, if you have any in your area. These discount stores offer name brand appliances and reasonably priced decorative items from jewelry trees, to ottomans and area rugs to wall hangings and more. TIP: Although these stores have discounted window treatments, opt for cloth shower curtains to use as window treatments instead. Overall, shower curtains run much cheaper and you may even get more of a variety.
Yard Sales and Flea Markets
In the same way you probably had to get rid of a lot of your household items at a fraction of the cost, so do many other people. Ask your neighbors and other residents of your community where the nearest flea market is, or if anyone is having any yard sales. The best part about yard sales is that prices are usually negotiable, so you may be able to snag framed photo of Audrey Hepburn for $7 instead of $10, leaving you savings to splurge on other items later in your decorating process.
Flea Markets offer much of the same flexibility as private yard sales, but you'll get a mix of commercial products and random household goods people are looking to get rid of. Keep your eyes peeled and look slowly – that seemingly broken rocking chair may just be able to be refurbished with some wood glue, a little patience, and a great throw pillow. It could end up a great conversation piece in your new living room.
Vintage Shops
Many décor-savvy people go for the vintage theme in a few, if not all, rooms in their apartment because not only can it be pleasing to the eye, vintage pieces can be found in abundance and for great deals. Even if that old corner desk has a jammed drawer or looks a little dingy, you can always negotiate the price down and throw some fresh paint on it, and it will still work as a nice corner nook in your bedroom. Put some flameless candles on top of it with some books, picture frames or flower vases for under $20 to create dimension.
Free or Recycled Items
Keep checking your local "free" section of Craigslist, or even free items at local yard sales. Many people will toss items to the curb and list them on Internet sites, free for the taking. Don't just look for couches and chairs, but anything that might make a good decoration piece. Some people get rid of photo frames, clocks, and old tube TV's.
- So what if the TV is broken? Gut it out all the wires and leave the glass, leaving you with a creative display case for your fish tank or aquarium. Found an old rickety ladder on the side of the road? Put it on your patio and use it as shelving for flowerpots.
- Have a recycling bin full of wine bottles or glass soda bottles (You can ask local liquor stores or bars for any empty bottles they may be willing to part with)? Put candles in them and let the wax melt over them for rustic decoration (make sure the candles are lit while someone is supervising to avoid any fire hazard). What about those old maps your parents had before the days of the GPS? Pick your favorite state, or country, and hang it on the wall.
- You can even turn old doorframes or pianos into coffee tables, books into shelves (just place the books on top of wall mounts screwed into the wall), and old tires into flower beds. Got any old film negatives or disposable cameras? You can varnish the film strips to similar sized strips of cardboard or metal to make a modern picture frame.
Do It Yourself Projects
If you're creative, the possibilities are endless when it comes to decorating. Even if you aren't artistically inclined, make a party out of it! Have your friends come over with paintbrushes, canvases and smocks, and let the creativity commence. You don't have to be the next Da Vinci, splatter bright colors on a canvas or scribble a few geometric shapes for a more modern look to adorn your newly rented walls, and see what your friends come up with, too!
If you're handy, or know someone who is, you can turn almost any old bottle or dish into a light fixture, or turn your old bicycle wheel into a modern chandelier. If you sew, pick up some discounted fabric and make all of your window treatments and linens.
Décor Ideas That Save Money
- Don't buy a full bed set. Many vintage and discount home good stores have miscellaneous blankets, duvet covers and throw pillows. Don't be concerned with everything matching. Odds are you can find items that are very similar in style, and it will give your room more character.
- Think outside of the box. If you have items you are considering throwing or giving away just because you are sick of them, think again. There are always ways to freshen up something old. Sponge paint your fading dresser with your favorite colors, or buy new hardware for that old hope chest.
- Instead of painting an entire room, bring your old shelving to life by sticking some colorful contact paper to the backs and sides (or wallpaper, if you choose).
- Instead of buying mass-produced wall art, save a few dollars and print out your own personal photos to give your space a personal touch. Hang them individually or make a collage before hanging.