If you're anything like me then you're already planning out how to decorate your apartment. Even though move in is a month away, it's never too early to get some ideas on how you want to style your apartment or dorm! My roommates and I have even created a group Pinterest board to generate ideas of what we want out future home to look like. Here are ten ways you can decorate your place on a budget:
1. Artsy tapestries are all the rave but why spend $60 on one from Urban Outfitters when you can get similar styles from Amazon for only $15! Tapestries are a great way to add some color to a plain wall or to a dull cell block, aka the dorms.
2. Another way to add a pop of color to otherwise ordinary space or objects is with Washi tape. This past year I used different styles of Washi tape to decorate clothes pins that I hung pictures from. You can find Washi tape at any craft store, Target or even Walgreens. It's super cute and pretty cheap.
3. It's rare for apartments to have mudrooms so if you have a bare wall in a hallway of your apartment, add some hooks and maybe even a cubby so you and your roommates can keep things neat and organized. Make it easy by flipping an Ikea bookshelf on its side, adding some cushions and nailing in coat hooks into the wall.
4. If you don't have a headboard and want something over your bed, install some shelves. Personalize them up with picture frames or your favorite books. Ikea has some great shelves for fairly cheap prices. For an even cooler look go with a bright colored shelf like neon pink or royal blue.
5. Display your photos in a cute way! Print out some of your favorite Instagram posts with Print Studio, or if you want them to be polaroid style, try Fotobar. Hang them with string and clothespins or even with some tape. Photos are a great way to personalize your space and make your room feel more homey.
6. Rugs make rooms feel so much more comfortable and soft so you should 100% invest in one. Rugs come in all different shapes, sizes and colors so it's easy to find a rug that matches both your personality and your room. Wether it be a small one for your bathroom or a larger size for your living room, rugs are worth spending some money on because they last a while. Target and Bed Bath & Beyond have some inexpensive ones that fit well in dorm rooms as well. Get this one from Urban Outfitters for only $34.
7. Fresh products really bring life and joy into any room. The Farmer's Market has some gorgeous flowers so if you want to brighten up your living space without paying too much, look no further. Display them in a chic vase or even in a Jack Daniels bottle for an "edgy" vibe.
8. Decorate your wooden chairs by doing a simple DIY project. Craft nights are always a fun activity for you and your friends so why not call up your homies and bring your chair decor to the next level. All you need is some modge-podge, scissors, a brush and some scrapbook paper and you can create something beautiful and amazing. You could even use a map or sheet music to cater to your personality and interests.
9. Rather than trying to find the perfect poster and spending a ton of money on it for your place, just blow up and order some of your favorite prints from Walgreen's or Kinko's. Make a collage of your posters or photos on a wall above your desk. Print anything from some of your favorite movie posters to inspiring quotes. My advice is try not to get too crazy and cluttered. Less is always more and I promise once decorations start to clutter it doesn't look pretty.
10. Lighting is everything and really makes or breaks a rooms vibe! Few apartments or dorms get great natural life so do yourself a favor and buy some lights (they are worth it). Even if you use old Christmas lights that you found in your basement, cute lights can really spruce up your dark dorm and make you feel a lot more comfortable. In fact, they're practically a staple and can be seen in nearly every girl's dorm room. Go for it...hop on the basic trend (it's a cute one).
Hopefully these 10 tips will help make your dorm/apartment shopping a little easier. Happy moving!
