Cheap Ways to Decorate Your First Apartment
Add Flare to Your Rented Space Inexpensively
Sep 3, 2008
After the excitement of finally getting your own place wears down, you might find that the amount of furniture you have is limited at best. If your budget is small, the following strategies will help you make the most of your decorating dollar.
Using Canvas
Since painting is usually against your lease when you rent, opt for canvases as a way to add color to your walls. Large canvases can be purchased at art or hobby stores, and you don’t need to be artistically inclined in order to decorate them. Fill up that white space with a collage, one solid block of color, or even fabric. Hang one large piece separately or a grouping of three to make an impact.
Slipcovers
When folks move out for the first time, they tend to get offered leftover furniture and hand-me-downs from friends and relatives. Before you turn down these offers, however, see if someone else’s used furniture might be usable in your own place. Check out the durability of the couch, not color or style.
If you find that a couch or chair is in great condition, opt for a slipcover. Slipcovers today are much improved over their counterparts from just a few years ago. Best of all, they can be custom fit at a reasonable price. Check out websites like Overstock or slipcovers.com for the best available price.
Painting Furniture
If you find a great piece of wooden or plastic furniture that just needs some updating, pick it up. Make sure to prime the piece before you paint it, and then choose a flat paint color to compliment the décor of your place.
Spray paint is usually a better alternative for painting furniture as it doesn’t leave brush marks. For plastic pieces, look for special paint that not only covers the furniture but gives it a protective coat as well.
Recovering Furniture
Covering over used furniture is not as difficult as it appears. All you need is a staple gun and some fabric in most cases. Choose a chair in good condition and remove the seat by unscrewing at the point it is connected to the legs. Remove the seat and place on a piece of fabric. Cut around the fabric, leaving room to pull up the edges onto the backside of the seat.
Take the staple gun and secure fabric down all the way around the seat. Pull it tightly around the entire seat. Turn it over to ensure fabric is placed the way you want it, and reattach by screwing it back to base of the chair. Cut off any excess fabric that might be showing.
Don’t forget to check out flea markets or rummage sales to find the best possible deals on gently used furniture. With a little elbow grease and some creativity, you can have a completely unique space suited especially to your personality.
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