Before guests come for the holidays or friends arrive for dinner, you’ve got to get your apartment dressed to impress quickly, easily and, above all, inexpensively. Of course, you’re not going to repaint, fill the walls with huge pieces of art or replace all your furniture, so how exactly are you supposed to pretty up your space? We’ve got you covered with these nine clever tips for adding a pop of pretty at (almost) a moment’s notice!
Collect Your Smaller Décor Pieces on a Bookshelf
Project via Leslie @
House on the Way
A clean, clutter-free home isn’t always a pretty home. In fact, if you’re on a quest to add some flavor to your layout, showcasing your decorative details is a great way to do it. Display your treasure tastefully by using a couple shelves of your bookcase to arrange small knickknacks, metallic bowls or your summer shell collection. If you don’t think you have enough pretty pieces to show off, wrap some ordinary glass containers in rope for a coastal feel.
Make the Perfect Light Fixture to Fit Your Space
If you have a generous property manager, lights are one thing they’ll usually let you change, but even if that’s not the case, adding light to your apartment comes in all different forms.
Make your own stunning fixture to sit on the end of a bare bulb, find a thrift store lamp and give it a glamorous makeover, or DIY some small luminaries to brighten up your bookcases and coffee table.
Lay Down a Newly DIYed Rug
Project via Katie @
Upcycled Treasures
As a renter, your apartment floor is one thing you’ll constantly dream about prettifying. Even though you can’t change your floors, you can definitely cover them up with something gorgeous by DIYing an inexpensive rug to fit your space and your style.
This homemade design takes an inexpensive area rug and gives it a fresh look with craft paint!
Bring In Fresh Flowers
Project via Cat @
Pocketful of Posies
Clip some bright blooms from your patio garden or pick out a fresh bouquet from the flower store once a week — however you do it, filling your apartment with fresh flowers adds a pretty touch of life to your space. If you’re blessed with a green thumb, you should also get some greenery to revive tired corners. Even if you’ve got plants, though, nothing makes an impact quite like fresh flowers.
Store Everything in Glass Jars
Project via Liz Marie @
Liz Marie Blog
This is an easy one, but it makes quite an impact! Turn empty sauce jars (or ever-popular mason jars) into glamorous high-end storage by adding decorative knobs to the covers, dipping them in different shades of paint or wrapping them in yarn or twine. Glass storage jars are an easy way to bring some style to your pantry, give your bathroom vanity a facelift or add some pretty and practical organization to your work space.
Replace Old, Tired Drapes
Project via Destiny @
Just Destiny
Drapes are an excellent way to make a statement, but if your drapes are getting a little sad and droopy around the edges, that statement might not be one you want to make. Update your tired drapes by adding a border or trim, painting them with a large stencil and a paint roller, or simply replacing them with an inexpensive DIY option.
Add New Covers to Throw Pillows
Project via Katie @
Upcycled Treasures
New throw pillows make a world of difference when it comes to instantly updating your rented space, but buying them can quickly lead to an expensive shopping trip. Instead of splurging on some additions, makeover the throw pillows you’ve already got by sewing (or gluing) new covers or even adding trim or designs to your old ones. You can literally paint right on your pillows with
this cool how-to!
Make an Eye-Catching Headboard
Project via Lindsay @
The White Buffalo Styling Co.
Other than throw pillows, nothing grabs attention in your bedroom quite like a headboard. Re-center your sleeping space and pretty up your design with a statement headboard that’s easy to make and will complement the rest of your apartment décor. There are plenty of homemade styles out there, from tufted upholstery to woven macramé to a rustic design like this. Get more ideas on
ForRent’s apartment living page.
Refresh Your Furniture
Project via Larissa @
Prodigal Pieces
If you can’t paint the walls, at least you can liven up your space by giving your tired pieces a new, bright coat of color. Choosing something unique and out of the ordinary like this surprising two-toned design or an intricate stencil will make just this one pop of pretty go a long way.
