How to Love Your Apartment

There’s nothing like moving into that new-to-you apartment. It’s a chance to decorate unadorned walls, cook in a new kitchen and see if the furniture looks better in a different setting.

If you’ve fallen out of love with your place, there are some things you can do to get that new-apartment feeling back. To revive the magic, follow these suggestions and watch yourself fall in love with your home all over again.

Work the walls
If it’s okay with your landlord, repainting the walls can make a dramatic difference to the light, atmosphere and even the perception of space in your apartment. Or maybe it’s time to cycle out the old posters and framed items hanging throughout your place. Choosing a new theme, era or style scheme for your decorations can make everything feel new.

Revamp the floors
Whether it’s a good steam cleaning for carpets or new area rugs, dealing with your floor coverings can make a big difference in bringing back the charm of your current pad. Flor.com offers some great options, for instance, from wall-to-wall carpeting to lightly-adhesive area rugs, all of which you could take with you someday if you were to move.

Makeover your bed
In most bedrooms, the bed is the most prominent part of the scenery. Make it work for you! Splurge on a new bedding set and create a sanctuary. Go with the fabric’s dominant colors or style and build around it, making a space you can’t wait to get to at the end of the day.

A few new pieces
Is it time to ditch the cinder-block and wood bookcase for something with more style and staying power? Your local thrift store, garage sales, IKEA, furniture outlet or scratch-and-dent store could offer plenty of reasonably-priced options for redecorating — or you could splurge on new furniture! Search for items that can be picked up locally and you can even save on shipping. And don’t forget eBay and Craigslist for even more options. (Read Finding Cheap Furniture, as well.)

A simple slip-cover and new pillows can completely transform your current sofa, as will a new finish or coat of paint on your bookcases and tables. Also ask friends and family if there are pieces they want to get rid of or may have in storage. You never know what treasures you might have passed on to you, even if only temporarily.

Details, details
Plants, candles, ceiling fans and lighting can also work wonders in creating a new atmosphere. Consider moving things around and swapping items between rooms. With a small table, chair and your laptop, a corner of the kitchen could become your new office, freeing up a spare room for guests, perhaps. A window view can lend a new perspective to all kinds of things.

If you’re bored with your apartment decor, don’t despair. There are plenty of ways to breathe new life into the place and make you feel like you’ve just met your apartment for the first time.