Renters’ Guide to Budget-Friendly Decor & Home Furnishings

Want to spruce up your rental, but worried about blowing your budget? Don’t worry, this article has you covered! We’ll explore a list of budget-friendly ways to give your rental the perfect makeover.  

Top tips for a budget-friendly makeover 

Skip the headache and choose rental furniture 

The worst part about renovation is the cost. Some items of furniture can quickly blow a hole in your wallet (a good couch, for instance, can cost at least $500). 

Then you have the hassle of assembly. This stage often takes longer than it should, especially when you’re dealing with vague and unhelpful instructions. But what if there was a way to skip these frustrations? 

Well, that’s where renting furniture comes in. When renting, you skip the upfront cost and pay installments instead. Best of all, rented furniture comes pre-assembled. So, you get set up easily without the headache. 

Some rental companies also offer a ‘rent to own’ option. If you’re wondering how rent to own furniture works, the process is simple. At the end of your payment plan, you have full ownership of your furniture. During rental, you also often have benefits such as free repairs and the option to swap an item whenever you’d like.  

Add your own stamp with removable wallpaper 

Removable wallpaper, as the name suggests, can be peeled away with ease, leaving the wallpaper beneath untouched. It’s the perfect answer for those who want to add their own touch but are worried about voiding a rental agreement.    

Removable wallpaper is also perfect for those who regularly like to update their aesthetic. You can swap looks whenever you want, ‘in a jiffy.’

This form of wallpaper can also be cheaper, as you avoid the costs of hiring someone to fit your paper. Thanks to a simple peel-and-stick design, removable wallpaper can be applied even by those who don’t have the gift of DIY. 

Hang heavier items with command strips

‘What’s a command strip?’, we hear you ask. They’re pads that stick to walls, enabling you to hang heavier objects. Command strips are inexpensive and less risky than using nails. There’s no danger of damaging a wall and voiding your lease agreement. 

What’s more, command strips can support a wide variety of furnishings. Whether it's paintings, flowers, or coat hooks, they help make your room feel brighter. Want to take an item down? No problem – just softly pull them off. 

Rethink your lighting fixtures 

Never underestimate the importance of a good lampshade. Because lights generally hang from the center of a room, lampshades set the vibe for the space around them. An old, tatty lampshade will always impact your aesthetic, even if the rest of the room is modern and tidy.  

You can find a lampshade to suit the style of every room. Going for a vintage style? An empire lampshade could be the perfect fit. If you're opting for a post-modern space, a drum design might be the best choice. 

Lampshades don’t need to be expensive. Head to your nearest thrift store or auction, and you might find a bargain. If you’re blessed with DIY skills, you can even make your own lampshades. By repurposing old fabrics, you can make a shade that’s low-cost and high-style.

Disguise ugly carpets with rugs 

Typically, you can’t replace carpets in rental apartments, even if they’re an eyesore. If you’re stuck with a carpet you can’t stand, rugs offer an easy cover-up option. 

Rugs can be purchased at a low cost and fill your space, covering the ugly carpet beneath. They’re also more pleasing to stand on. Whereas a ragged carpet can feel rough underfoot, a rug made from materials such as cotton or wool can provide a soft, pillowy feel. 

Lastly, rugs are also perfect for those looking for pet-friendly design ideas. They’re often easy to clean and stain-resistant, so your day won’t be ruined by muddy paw prints.   

Re-examine your radiators 

This point might sound a little odd. After all, while they may not look pretty, radiators are essential. Think a little outside the box, however, and there’s no reason radiators can’t complement the look of a room. 

Try some of the hacks listed below to turn your radiator into a statement of style. Just remember, you may need to get permission from your landlord first!  

• Paint your radiator - Consider a lick of paint if a radiator doesn’t match the color of a space. 

• Add a bench or shelf - With the addition of some wooden planks, a low radiator can become a comfy bench. Taller radiators, on the other hand, are ideal as a base for a shelf. 

• Use a radiator wrap - A radiator wrap is a magnetic cover that gives your radiator a new look. They can be removed with ease and leave no trace behind. 

Lastly, if you run out of options, you can always hide your radiator. Carefully place couches or desks as a disguise, or add a radiator cover. 

Introduce flexible furniture 

If you’re unsure about your future plans or regularly like to switch up your look, adaptability should be a major consideration.

First, as mentioned, it may be better to opt for lease to own furniture. This way, you can swap items to make sure you always have furniture that meets your needs. Alongside this, consider items that provide maximum flexibility. 

Portable storage, for example, like a cart or ottoman, can be moved between rooms with ease. It’s the perfect solution if your storage needs are likely to change over time (eg, if you introduce a little one into the house).   

Sofa beds are another great example. Lacking enough space for both a study and a guest room? By adding a sofa bed, a space can switch between both functions in a cinch. 

Get decorating! 

Decorating and staying both in budget and within the lines of a rental agreement can be tricky. With a little ingenuity, however, you can make a space that shines. Stick to our tips, and remember, always ask permission before making any physical alterations!   

Here are some related articles:

• Cozy Design Harmony: Warm Up Your Living Room with an Electric Fireplace TV Stand
• Transform Your Home with Small, Stylish, and Cozy Adjustments
• Making Spaces That Are Eclectic but Feel Authentically Like Home