8 BUDGET-FRIENDLY HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR RENTERS

8 Budget-Friendly Home Improvement Projects For Renters
Renting an apartment or house may feel like a limitation to some, but it doesn’t have to be! There are numerous ways to upgrade your living space without breaking the bank or upsetting your landlord. By thinking outside the box, you can elevate your rental to make it beautiful, functional, and personalized. In this article, we’ll be diving into eight budget-friendly home improvement projects that renters can embark on to spruce up their spaces.

Painting Accent Walls

Painting Accent Walls
Paint is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to spruce up any apartment. One smart way to use paint is by creating an accent wall. Not only does it add vibrancy and interest to a room, but it can also change the overall mood and atmosphere of a space. You can use bright or dark colors to give your room a cozy feel, or go with a lighter shade to brighten up a space. When you choose to paint an accent wall, make sure to get the go-ahead from your landlord, and stick to non-permanent paint options such as semi-permanent wall paint. It’s also important to choose a focal wall that naturally draws the eyes – typically the wall behind where your headboard, couch, or TV stand is placed. Once you’ve decided on the wall and the color, it’s time to get painting! Consider using painter’s tape to create a clean edge between the accent wall and the other walls. Then, apply two to three coats of paint, letting each coat dry before adding the next layer. Once you’re done, you’ll have a new statement piece in your room that adds color and personality.

Upgrade Your Lighting

Upgrade Your Lighting
Lighting can make or break the ambiance of a room. Unfortunately, rental apartments often come with generic lighting fixtures that are too harsh or outdated. Luckily, there are many ways to improve your apartment’s lighting that doesn’t require any electrical expertise. For instance, you could invest in floor lamps or table lamps to create softer and more mood-focused light in various parts of your home. This allows you to amp up the coziness factor without making any permanent changes. Alternatively, you can buy adhesive LED light strips, which are available in numerous colors and designs, for under $30 a set. Apply the lights above or below cabinetry or shelving to brighten up dark areas and create an interesting design element. If you’re feeling ambitious, you could also replace the existing lighting fixtures with a more modern or stylish one. Be sure to check in with the landlord first and keep the original fixtures safe to replace when you’re ready to move out.

Window Treatments Make a Difference

Window Treatments Make A Difference
Dull, boring, or outdated window treatments can make an otherwise beautiful space feel uninviting. Fortunately, a new set of window treatments is an affordable way to instantly uplift your space. Before choosing a window treatment, consider the purpose of the room. For instance, sheer curtains provide privacy while still allowing sunlight to filter through, making them perfect for living rooms and bedrooms. Blackout curtains are perfect for rooms where you need complete darkness during the day, such as home theaters or bedrooms.You can install curtains on tension rods or adhesive hooks without drilling holes or damaging the walls. If you wish to add more personality, choose curtains with bright colors or bold patterns, that match other decor elements in your space.

Transform Your Furniture

Transform Your Furniture
Furniture is the backbone of any living space. Still, sometimes you might feel like your furniture doesn’t reflect your style or personality. Getting new furniture is not only costly but also unsustainable, so why not transform your furniture instead? Reupholstering or painting your existing furniture can give it a whole new life without breaking your budget. For example, you can paint your nightstand or coffee table in a trendy color that matches your accent wall or other decor elements in your space. You can also update your cushions and drapes if you have a set of old or outdated furniture. If you’re willing to put in some extra effort, reupholstering can give your older furniture a fresh, contemporary look. You can buy fabric glue, batting, and upholstery fabric at a reasonable price and have a piece of furniture that looks brand new.

Add Some Greenery

Add Some Greenery
Plants are the perfect way to add instant life and vibrancy to any living space. Whether you’re living in a tiny apartment or a spacious house, plants can make your space feel more natural, relaxing, and welcoming. Plus, plants come with numerous health benefits, including reducing stress levels and purifying the air. If you’re not an experienced gardener, start with low-maintenance plants such as succulents, cacti, or spider plants, that require minimal watering, sunlight, and attention. You can also install a few floating shelves or hanging planters and create an indoor herb garden or a mini greenspace. To add a more personalized touch to your space, choose colorful planters or pots that match your existing decor elements. You can also decorate and paint your planters to make them even more unique.

Install Unique Hardware

Install Unique Hardware
One of the most overlooked areas in an apartment is often the hardware, whether it’s doorknobs, drawer pulls, or handles. Often, rental spaces come with functional but cheap-looking hardware that doesn’t add anything to the decor of the room. Thankfully, updating hardware is a fast and easy way to transform an entire room without incurring any lasting damage to a property.Consider unique and quirky handles, knobs, and pulls that add a little bit of personality and excitement to your living space. You can invest in a statement piece, such as ornate bronze doorknobs for your front door, or choose colorful and playful ceramic knobs for your kitchen cabinets. Updating hardware adds a personal touch without altering the structural integrity or function of the space.

Personalize Your Wall Decor

Personalize Your Wall Decor
Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of renting a property is personalizing the walls. Without adding much-needed personality and depth to the apartment, an otherwise perfectly functional space can feel generic, sterile and uninviting. Yet, we understand that holes in the walls are a big no-no in rental properties; thankfully, modern removable wall decor options have expanded the possibilities for spicing up your space. For instance, you can use peel-and-stick wall decals which don’t leave any damage behind when you remove them. Better yet, decals come in a range of designs, graphics to match different style preferences. Another option is to arrange a gallery wall of your favorite art pieces, photos, or posters, either framed or hung with sticky strips to avoid drilling. You can choose images that evoke a particular mood to better reflect your personality and keep you feeling at home.

Organize Your Space

Organize Your Space
Clutter can often make any living space appear small, disorganized, and hectic, especially when you’re renting. To keep your apartment free of clutter and organized, consider investing in functional storage solutions.For instance, under-bed storage or shoe organizers are great for maximizing storage capacity while creating a more open, streamlined look. You can also opt for modular shelving systems that can be configured in multiple ways, according to your needs.In conclusion, while home improvements might seem like a daunting task, there are many ways to spruce up your rental apartment without incurring lasting damage or massive expenses. When it comes to upgrading your rental, think outside the box to create a space that feels custom-tailored to your needs and style preferences. By starting small and being creative, you can transform your apartment into a space you’ll love being in.

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