How to Decorate Your Apartment (Without Breaking Your Lease)
It’s common knowledge that having a space that feels like home is key for solid mental health and overall well-being. However, many landlords include terms and conditions within leases that prevent renters from making permanent changes to their apartments. This can make it difficult to fully decorate in a new space. If everything is temporary, how can you feel permanent?
The good news is that there are solutions to help you decorate in a rented space that won’t break the terms of your lease. By using these products, you’ll make a comfortable living space, while keeping your landlord happy. Who knows, you might even get your security deposit back?
Hang on Hooks
Instead of drilling a hole in your walls every time you want to hang a picture frame, use sticky hooks like these from 3M. These hooks are super easy to use. To install, first clean and dry the surface of the wall. Then remove the protective covering on the back of the hook to expose the sticky tape. Finally, apply the sticky side of the hook to the clean, dried wall. It’s that easy!
You can use hooks to hang pictures, posters, even wall hangings. Larger hooks are great for hanging coats, jackets and hats. You can even use them as closet storage solutions for bulky items like bags, which take up a lot of space on shelves. The possibilities are endless.
Mounting Putty
Space is at a premium when living in an apartment, so maximizing every square inch is key to decorating a small space. The tops of bookcases, dressers and stands can be a great spot for items like photos, planters and vases. But how do you keep these items from scratching the furniture underneath, or the walls behind a picture frame?
Putty, buddy! A high quality mounting putty like this can be applied to all the edges of an item, saving the surface underneath from unnecessary wear and tear. Putty also keeps items in place and prevents them from falling. It’s also really fun to play with.
To install, rip off a tiny piece of putty and place it around the edges of an item. Then, lightly press down on the item to hold it in place. It’s that easy.
Rugs and Rug Pads
Every great designer knows that the right rug can transform a space. In an apartment, rugs can be a great way to separate spaces into unique areas. Or, tie multiple design motifs into one.
Rugs should be placed in all high traffic areas of your apartment. Watch a lot of TV? Put a rug underneath the couch. Track a lot of mud in from the outdoors? Place a rug in the entryway. Doing so will protect your floors or carpets and make it easier to clean.
To protect the longevity of your rugs, be sure to place a rug pad underneath like this. Rug pads come in various shapes and sizes and help prevent slipping while also adding extra cushioning. Some pads can be cut to length to perfectly fit the dimensions of your existing rugs, others are one-size fits all.
Houseplants
Houseplants are a great way to add greenery to your apartment. Their various shapes and sizes can create depth and motion in a room, while also adding pops of color. Plants like hostas, ferns, palms, ZZ plants, snake plants and philodendrons are all easy to care for and thrive at home. Larger plants like fiddle leaf figs and monstera can add height to a room.
If you live in an apartment with low light conditions fake plants are a great alternative to their real counterparts. Ikea offers a wide selection of fake potted plants that won’t break the bank, as do other big box home improvement and decoration stores. The best part about a fake plant? You don’t have to remember to water it.
Always remember to check the care instructions for any plants that you buy online. It never hurts to watch a quick Youtube video. Keep in mind that some plants are dangerous for pets. So, make sure to do your research before purchasing.
Mirrors
A well placed mirror can open up a space and brighten any room. In addition, mirrors provide depth by making rooms seem larger than they are. They’re perfect for any small space within an apartment. Or, as statement pieces in a larger room.
Smaller mirrors should be placed on top of existing furniture, while floor length mirrors can stand alone. When setting mirrors, be sure to use the putty we discussed earlier in this article to protect your furniture and floors. You can also use the adhesive hooks that we linked to in order to secure mirrors on walls or the back of doors.
Plus, extra mirrors will provide you with even more views of your beautifully decorated apartment. What’s not to love?
