6 Decorating Ideas to Change Your Apartment Without Violating Your Lease

By Kailey Walters on June 6, 2018

This article is brought to you by CORT Furniture Rental. We take the hassle out of furnishing your new place so you can do more important things like read this article. Learn more about why furniture rental is the best way to get a great looking apartment.

One of the best things about having your own place is knowing that you can make it your own. You have the freedom to do whatever you want in your space to make it feel comfortable and homey… at least, in some instances, to a certain extent. If you live in an apartment, there are certain limitations on what you can do to your living space.

As you definitely want to avoid violating your lease and/or making your landlord angry, you’ll want to take a look at some decorating ideas that will keep you safe and still have the power to transform your apartment into a welcoming and appealing environment.

living room, sofa, pillow

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1. Make the most of your furniture.

Furniture is a huge focal point of any living space. While you might not be able to change the structure of the apartment or the color of the walls, there is a lot you can do with furniture to customize the space.

One thing you can do is rearrange the furniture. While it’s a seemingly minor move, it can actually go a long way in changing up the dynamic of your apartment. Experiment with different furniture layouts — if you’re in your living room, move around the sofa, coffee table, TV, and whatever else you have in different positions to get a feel for what looks best. In your bedroom, play around with the locations of your bed, dresser, and other furniture until you get a look you love.

If your furniture itself is what you want to change, shop for some new furniture (and it doesn’t have to break the bank). Scavenge your local furniture stores or shop online for some relatively inexpensive pieces that can add some new energy to your apartment.

If you really can’t afford to replace all your old furniture with new ones, perhaps a more affordable option is painting over your current furniture pieces. If you have wooden desks and tables, chairs, or dressers, you might consider painting them different colors to add a bit of character to your apartment. A small change in color from mahogany to pink, for example, can work wonders in showing off a piece of furniture and making it seem brand new.

2. Maximize storage space.

Chances are that your apartment is a bit tight on space. If this is the case, having furniture that allows you to store your belongings in the most organized, efficient manner is a definite plus.

Seek out types of furniture that allow you to store your things inside, such as benches with opening lids, ottomans, and desks or cabinets with plenty of drawer space. So, even if you happen to have a lot of clutter, hiding it inside your furniture can give off the illusion that you’re super neat and organized!

curtains, light, window

pexels.com

3. Get curtains.

Curtains can make a big difference in changing the atmosphere of your apartment, without breaking any rules. Find curtains that best suit your personal tastes, whether solid colored or vibrantly patterned, and use them to dress up your windows. And if you’re feeling extra savvy, you can even try sewing the curtains yourself!

4. Get some plants.

Adding plants to any space usually helps to liven it up and energize the atmosphere. Placing plants of different kinds throughout your apartment — some in your living room, kitchen, bedroom, etc. — can give the space a natural feel that makes your apartment feel more open and inviting.

5. Change your light fixtures.

If you’re not quite so fond of the light fixtures in your apartment, it may be time to swap them out for something a little more appealing.

While it may not be feasible to replace every single light fixture, you can still replace enough of them to make a difference in certain rooms, perhaps the ones you visit most often such as your bedroom, the kitchen, and living room. Shop for some light fixtures that match your personal interests and the style of the room they’ll be in. Doing so can make a world of difference!

6. Use tricks to make the space look larger.

There are several little tricks you can use to create the illusion that your apartment is bigger than it actually is. One thing you can do is use tall bookshelves, as their vertical height will allow you to fill space near the ceiling and free up more room on the ground. You can also use mirrors, as they reflect natural and artificial light to make the room look both brighter and larger.

There are many things you can do to make the most of your apartment without breaking any rules or upsetting the landlord. Take advantage of them and see how your living space will be transformed!

Looking for an easy way to furnish your off-campus apartment? Renting furniture from CORT saves you time and money. See how easy it is to get great looking furniture without breaking the bank.

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