Easy and Cheap Renovations for your Apartment

Giving your apartment an updated look doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive.

Living in a rental – whether it is an apartment or a rental home – comes with a lot of regulations. Your landlord may not approve of painting over the boring renters’ beige color on your wall, and replacing hardware or updating the kitchen will come out of your pocket. However, you can cheaply and easily renovate and add your personal touch to your rental to make it look like a brand new place. Remember to check with the landlord and read the lease carefully before starting any project.

Painting
Check with your landlord and the lease to see what the terms are for painting. Even if your landlord approves, be sure to ask questions. For example, will he or she withhold your deposit, or will you have to pay a per wall fee if you move out without painting over it? If you receive the OK to paint, choose a color that suits you, but also be sure to choose a color that can be easily painted over when your lease is up (i.e. don’t paint the walls black, dark red, etc.).

Wall Décor
Wallpaper will take a lot of convincing, and it’s a lot of work to put up/take down. A few easy solutions include:

• Adding vinyl wall decals that come off without taking the paint with it. This is an inexpensive way to add character to your space, and you can take it with you to your next apartment.
• If you find wallpaper that you want to include in your apartment, add it to the back of a large frame, and place it on a wall in the common living space. This will create a focal point for the room.
• Another way to add character to your walls is to hang art throughout your apartment. If you’re feeling artsy, paint canvases with a similar theme and hang them up. Or, for an easier solution, wrap a fabric of your choice around the back of a picture frame and hang those up.
• Curtains and window treatments can also liven up your space. Adding a colorful curtain and bring brightness to a boring white room. Additionally, if you have floor to ceiling panels, it will make the room appear taller.

Area Rugs
Ripping up the carpet and replacing it with wooden floors will probably be frowned upon by your landlord. An easy “renovation” for this is to add area rugs. Not only are they great for adding your personal style to a room, but they can conveniently cover up stains. Additionally, area rugs absorb sound, which is beneficial in an apartment with thin walls. The best part of having area rugs is that you can take these rugs with you to your next place.

Kitchen Counter Space
Lots of kitchens come with little counter space, which is inconvenient. Adding a solid table into the space can create more space and act as a kitchen island. Get one that on wheels or lightweight so you can get it out of the way when not in use. Similarly to the items mentioned above, this can be taken with you when you move.

Furniture
Sometimes just moving furniture around will make your space feel like new. Changing the layout can also add space to the room. Take a few room measurements and furniture measurements to accurately place the furniture where you envision it going.

Hardware
Other items you can take with you to your next place are hardware pieces. You can replace your kitchen hardware quite easily. All you need is a screwdriver and replacement hardware. Keep the current ones in a box so you can put them back when you move out. You can find interesting knobs and pulls from craft stores and stores like Anthropologie or Urban Outfitters.

Photo Credit: iStockphoto/TommL