Moving into a new apartment often requires hefty deposits for utilities and the apartment itself, in addition to paying movers, buying boxes and other moving costs. Consequently, many people find themselves unable to decorate, paint or furnish the apartment they've just expended so much time and effort acquiring. Fortunately, with a little ingenuity, you can easily and cheaply decorate your apartment on a small budget.
1 Try using wall decals instead of paint. These removable stickers are inexpensive and available at most craft and home stores. They're great tools for perking up otherwise boring walls and covering stains. If you still want to paint, consider painting just one wall as an accent wall and leaving the rest of your walls plain. Ask your local paint or home supply store if it has any "throwaway" batches of paint. People frequently back out of buying paint when they see that the color is not what they wanted, and stores must discount this paint to sell it quickly.
2 Visit a secondhand or thrift store for furniture. If you find a comfortable couch, buy it even if it's ugly. For $40 or $50, you can buy a slipcover in a trendy color to turn that old couch into a modern piece of furniture.
3 Check out your local dollar store. Basic apartment decorating supplies such as picture frames, silk flowers, candles and candle holders are sold for a dollar a piece at these stores. Pick a theme for your apartment. This is often cheaper than simply trying to find items to fill every space. If you love flowers, for example, buy flower picture frames and other similar items in complementary colors. You can find items at the dollar store to match virtually every theme.
4 Put curtains on the windows. Curtains can help to fill up a room and give it a finished look. Discount retailers frequently sell inexpensive curtains for as little as $10. Add a potted plant next to the window to give your apartment a vibrant, cheery atmosphere.
5 Buy a pretty comforter or bedspread for your bed. Many discount retailers sell these for under $50 and a beautiful comforter can make your entire bedroom look better.
