Rental Decorating Guide

In the past few months I’ve gotten several requests for this post, so, I’m very excited to finally be posting it for y’all! As a 23 year old who is still in the renting stage of life, this post is very near to my heart. I know that decorating a space that you don’t own can be challenging. There are limitations, money constraints, etc. It’s tough! Especially when you see high-end, custom homes covering your Instagram feed, it’s hard to sit back and look at your apartment or home and feel stuck and uninspired.

Today’s post is all about making your rental, yours. I’m going to cover a few aspects of your rental design thay are easy to change, tweak, or add, to make your rental feel more like home!

Let’s get started!

Antiques

One of my favorite ways I’ve made my apartment feel more collected and “homey”, is with antiques. Adding art, accent furniture and decor that has lived a little will instantly elevate your space. I recently bought a vintage faux bamboo chair on Facebook Marketplace and it really changed the feel of the space by adding a little more character. People hear the word “antique”, and have a connotation of dated, expensive, etc. but that’s not the case. There are so many beautiful and affordable pieces out there! One of my favorite sources for pieces is Facebook Marketplace. You can find SUCH amazing pieces on there if you are willing to look for them. Since the items are for sale by owner, the price is often flexible. Some easy pieces to incorporate into your rental would be a chair, a bench, art, and accessories. These items tend to be budget friendly and are easy to add to any home that already has all of the necessities (bed, dresser, couch, etc.). You should also check out your local antique or consignment shops to see what you can find. Happy hunting!

Art

Art is also HUGE! I mentioned it a little in the previous point, but art is a great place to buy used. Getting a timeless piece of art can really drive a space and make a huge impact. Art can be expensive, so a great way to save is by purchasing prints. It’s so easy to re-frame a piece or buy prints and frame them. These prints are what I have hanging above my sofa in a 2x2 gallery wall and I love them! I chose to frame them in a sleek black frame to tie in the black from my coffee table and I love the contrast.

Lighting

Lighting is another key element when “designing” your rental. I know in many apartments there is no overhead lighting, and if there is, you are stuck with builder grade. By using fabulous lamps, you’ll bring the focus away from your less than desirable flush mounts. Lamps are also an opportunity to really elevate your space and make it look more custom and expensive than it is. There are so many affordable lamp options out there! I’ve linked a bunch of my favorite lamps in this post, and in my Shop tab.

Pillows

Ah, my guilty pleasure! I tend to be budget cautious and smart when it comes to home decor, as much as I would love to buy all of the beautiful pieces I see, I realize that is not within my current means. However, pillows are the one area that I let myself go a little above my “budget”. I’m surrounded by beautiful, designer fabrics all day at work, so it’s hard for me to then go and purchase pillows from Target, Wayfair, etc. For this reason, I purchase 90% of my pillows from Etsy. Etsy is my secret weapon when it comes to decorating on a budget if you want that designer look, because you can get pillows made in SO many designer fabrics. These are the pillows I have in my home currently:

Drapery Panels

In any room, window treatments are a design element that can truly transform a space. They have the power to soften a room, while also hiding any pre-existing /non-changeable (less than attractive) window treatments or window frames. There are actually a lot of great options out there for affordable drapery panels, that look a lot more expensive than they are. In my apartment I only have two windows, the one in my Bedroom, and the sliding doors in my Living Room. The window in my Bedroom is an odd size and has nicer blinds on it, so, I decided against getting window treatments in there since we are only here short term. However, I wish everyday that I had drapery panels on that window! In my previous house I had these white panels from Target and I loved them. We often recommend these Pottery Barn curtains to clients who don’t need or want custom drapery!

Plants

Greenery and flowers are something that every home should have! If you’re like me, and can’t keep anything alive, there are so many great faux options out there. Throughout my house I have several topiaries, greenery, and florals and it makes such a difference. Orchids are another great option and they last forever!

Tiles/Counters

Thankfully, the Kitchen and Bath in my apartment are updated with nice tile and counters but I know the aesthetic in these spaces can be an issue in many rentals, especially if you’re in a city. I’ve been seeing the tile and countertop contact paper all over Instagram and it seems like an amazing product. If your counter tops or tiles aren’t the look you prefer, I would definitely check out this as an option while you’re renting! This marble contact paper for countertops is SO affordable and the reviews are great. If you aren’t sure what look you’re going for, this shop on Etsy sells sample packs of their products to see the difference “stones” in hour home!

Rugs

Last but not least…. rugs! Rugs ground the room and make a huge difference. My go-to sources for affordable rugs are Wayfair and Rugs USA, there are some great items on there but you have be willing to spend some time scrolling through all of the options. I currently have this jute rug from Rugs USA in my Living Room and I have been SO impressed with the quality. If you are looking for a vintage or Turkish style rug, I high recommend checking out Etsy and Facebook Marketplace. Rugs can be expensive but there are definitely options for budget friendly choices! Note: for rugs, you want the furniture to be grounded on the rug not floating around it! Getting the correct size for the space will make it feel more “custom” than just throwing a 5x7 on the ground and calling it a day!

A couple weeks ago I posted this Amazon Home Decor post that has a bunch of budget friendly home items that would be a great place to start for accessories! If you have any specific questions about your own home, please reach out! I would love to help.

There’s always Something to Style Over!