Recommended for you

Decorating On A Budget Doesn't Have To Be Hard, Thanks To These 8 Tips

When broke college students get a place to live

Apr 21, 2021

Decorating On A Budget Doesn't Have To Be Hard, Thanks To These 8 Tips

I just signed the lease on my first apartment, which is super exciting, but filling it up is going to be really hard because I can only take a few things from home (what fits in my suitcase,) and money will be tight because rent is suddenly a thing. So, I spent the past two days figuring out how to make my three-room place feel full on a $200 budget, and I (believe) I have succeeded, so here are my tips.

Bring everything you can from home

Ketut Subiyanto

I'm bringing sheets and a chic spice rack. But, if I could bring more, I would definitely want old pots and pans, the old kitchen table and chairs, some pictures we've taken down, and our old plates. Even though this stuff isn't décor, it reallly eats into the overall budget, which takes away from the decorating budget.

Look online for everything you need

Karolina Grabowska

By looking online, you can get better sense of what stores are worth visiting in person. Target, for example, is where I'll be buying most of my things, but, until I checked online, I assumed it would be much more costly than it is, and I would have missed out on all those deals ($1 glass cups!)

Shop multiple retailers

Shvets Anna

Some stores have great deals on certain items, but others are expensive. In my case, Costco has great towels and food storage containers, but it's flatware and throw pillows are way out of my tiny budget. Whereas Walmart has throw pillows and flatware that are affordable, but no great food storage containers.

Make use of yard sales and freebies

MoneyforCoffee

These are the best, especially if you live near a military base where people move all the time. I found a full dining room table, bought just months ago, totally free on Facebook Marketplace.

Buy things that are big

Meruyert Gonullu

When you have a small budget, you need to get the most bang for your buck. So, buying large and cheap items, like tapestries, lets you make the space feel full and friendly without going way over budget for lots of small decorations.

Don't get things that look too cheap

Mak

The key to making your home look nice is filling it with nice things. With that in mind, it's better to have fewer nice things than lots of crappy things.

DIY it!

Wallace Chuck

Sometimes DIYs actually cost more than just buying something, so be careful, but, in most cases, you can get cute stuff by making it for yourself! There are DIY bookshelves made from painted crates, DIY light fixtures to put over rental lights, and simpler things like DIY curtains.

Use old gift cards

Pixabay

If you were like me in middle school, you got a lot of gift cards for birthdays, but never spent them because your parents bought what you needed. Well, this is the time to use them! I have $50 to spend at Target for turning 12, 9 years ago.

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Entertainment

25 Beatles Lyrics: Your Go-To Guide for Every Situation

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

SUNY Binghamton

95315

Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less

best beatles lyrics

Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Smith College

133529

college students waiting in a long line in the hallway

StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

waitlisted

Recommended for you

Decorating On A Budget Doesn't Have To Be Hard, Thanks To These 8 Tips

When broke college students get a place to live

Bring everything you can from home

Look online for everything you need

Shop multiple retailers

Make use of yard sales and freebies

Buy things that are big

Don't get things that look too cheap

DIY it!

Use old gift cards

Subscribe to our Newsletter

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

Trending Topics

Top Creators

Trending Stories

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments

Subscribe to our
Newsletter