10 Inspiring Apartment Decorating on a Budget Ideas Easily

Let me guess – you just scrolled through Pinterest, saw those gorgeous apartment tours, checked your bank account, and immediately closed the app. Been there. When I first moved into my apartment, I had exactly $237 left after paying rent and buying a mattress.

My “dining table” consisted of two cardboard boxes, and my idea of wall art involved taping up free posters from that campus event three years ago.

But here’s what I discovered: you don’t need thousands of dollars to create a space you love. You just need creativity, patience, and maybe a screwdriver. Over the past five years, I’ve decorated three different apartments on budgets that would make interior designers cry. And you know what? Each one looked amazing.

These budget decorating ideas actually work because I’ve tested every single one. No trust fund required, no professional help needed. Just real solutions for real people who want their apartments to look intentional instead of like a storage unit with a bed.

Cozy Minimalist Apartment Makeover

Minimalism gets a bad rap for being cold and boring, but cozy minimalism combines simplicity with warmth – and it’s basically free to achieve. You know why? Because it’s literally about having less stuff.

I went minimalist out of necessity (couldn’t afford furniture), but discovered something magical. My apartment felt bigger, calmer, and somehow more expensive-looking with less in it. The trick isn’t just removing things randomly – it’s keeping the right things and making them count.

Starting Your Minimalist Journey

Here’s how to begin without throwing away everything:

• Keep only items that serve a purpose or bring genuine joy
• Choose a neutral color palette (white, beige, gray, black)
• Invest in quality over quantity
• Add warmth through textures, not clutter

The best part about minimalist decorating? You save money by not buying things. Revolutionary concept, right?

Making Minimalism Cozy

Nobody wants to live in a sterile white box. Add warmth with:

• Soft throw blankets in neutral tones
• Warm lighting (never overhead only)
• Natural materials like wood and linen
• One or two meaningful art pieces

I found my favorite throw blanket at Goodwill for $4. It’s cream-colored, chunky knit, and makes my entire living room look expensive. That single blanket does more for my space than ten decorative pillows ever could.

Boho Chic Budget Decorating Hacks

Boho style loves thrift stores, flea markets, and DIY projects. This aesthetic practically demands imperfection, which makes it perfect for budget decorating. You can’t mess up boho – the messier and more eclectic, the better.

My first boho apartment looked like a Pinterest board exploded, and I spent maybe $200 total. The secret? Layer everything, mix patterns fearlessly, and embrace the chaos. If something doesn’t match, call it eclectic and move on.

Essential Boho Elements on the Cheap

Build your boho paradise with:

• Tapestries as wall art ($15-30 online)
• Thrifted rugs layered on top of each other
• Macramé plant hangers (DIY for $5)
• String lights everywhere
• Mismatched throw pillows

DIY Boho Projects

Make these yourself and save hundreds:

• Macramé wall hangings using rope from hardware stores
• Painted terracotta pots for plants
• Fabric wall art using embroidery hoops
• Pampas grass from craft stores (not the $50 boutique ones)

I made a massive macramé wall hanging for $12 worth of rope. YouTube University taught me how, and now everyone thinks I bought it from West Elm.

Small Space Storage & Style Tips

Small apartments and clutter go together like oil and water. Smart storage solutions make tiny spaces livable without sacrificing style or your security deposit.

Living in 500 square feet taught me that every item needs a home, and that home better be hidden. Visible clutter makes small spaces feel chaotic, but too many storage boxes make it look like you’re moving. Finding the balance changed everything.

Vertical Storage Solutions

Why waste floor space when walls exist?

• Floating shelves using Command strips
• Over-door organizers for everything
• Wall-mounted hooks for bags and coats
• Ceiling-mounted plant holders

Hidden Storage Hacks

These tricks saved my sanity:

• Bed risers create under-bed storage space
• Ottoman storage cubes (seating + storage)
• Decorative baskets hide ugly necessities
• Behind-door shoe organizers for literally anything

My bathroom has zero storage, but an over-toilet shelf unit and three Command strip baskets later, everything has a place. Cost me $40 total.

Also Read: 12 Fun Small Studio Apartment Decorating Ideas for Trendy Spaces

DIY Wall Art for Apartments

Blank walls scream “I just moved in and gave up.” But original art costs more than my monthly groceries. DIY wall art fills those voids without emptying your wallet or violating your lease.

I’ve created gallery walls using free printables, thrift store frames, and pure determination. My living room features “art” that consists of fabric samples in frames, pressed flowers, and pages from old books. Total cost? Under $30.

Easy Wall Art Projects

Anyone can make these:

• Frame fabric samples or scrapbook paper
• Create a gallery wall with thrifted frames
• Print free art from museum websites
• Make geometric art with washi tape

Renter-Friendly Display Methods

No nails? No problem:

• Command strips hold more than you think
• Picture ledges for rotating displays
• Washi tape for lightweight prints
• Lean large pieces against walls

FYI, museum websites offer thousands of high-resolution artwork downloads for free. Print them at home or cheaply at office stores, and suddenly you’re cultured.

Affordable Lighting Transformations

Overhead lighting makes everyone look terrible and apartments feel like hospitals. Strategic lighting changes everything – mood, ambiance, and how expensive your space looks.

I banned overhead lights from my apartment two years ago. Now I use three table lamps, string lights, and candles. My electric bill dropped, and my apartment looks like an adult lives here instead of a college student who forgot to graduate.

Lighting Layers on a Budget

Create ambiance with:

• Multiple light sources at different heights
• String lights for soft background glow
• Thrifted lamps with new shades
• Battery-operated puck lights for dark corners

DIY Lighting Hacks

Transform basic fixtures:

• Wrap string lights around existing fixtures
• Paint lamp bases for custom colors
• Replace lampshades with basket-style shades
• Add dimmer switches (landlord-friendly ones exist)

My favorite lighting hack? Putting string lights in glass vases. Instant ambiance for $10, and everyone asks where I bought these “designer lamps.”

Color Pop Decorating on a Budget

Beige apartments depress everyone. Strategic color pops bring life to bland spaces without painting walls or spending fortunes.

My apartment came in exactly one color: sadness beige. But with colorful throw pillows, bright artwork, and one statement chair from Facebook Marketplace, it now looks intentional rather than institutional.

Where to Add Color

Maximum impact spots:

• Throw pillows and blankets (easiest to change)
• One piece of colorful furniture
• Bright curtains or shower curtains
• Colorful kitchen accessories

Budget-Friendly Color Sources

Find affordable color at:

• Clearance sections of home stores
• Thrift stores (spray paint transforms everything)
• Dollar store decorative items
• DIY projects using paint samples

I spray-painted a thrifted chair bright yellow. Cost me $3 for the chair and $5 for spray paint. It’s now my apartment’s statement piece that everyone compliments.

Also Read: 15 Easy Small Apartment Decorating Ideas for Renters

Multi-Functional Furniture Ideas

Every furniture piece in a budget apartment needs to work overtime. Multi-functional furniture saves money and space while making you look clever.

My coffee table lifts up to become a desk, stores all my work supplies, and has wheels. It replaced three pieces of furniture and cost less than a regular coffee table. That’s the kind of math I like.

Budget Multi-Taskers

Invest in these heroes:

• Storage ottomans (seating + storage + coffee table)
• Expandable dining tables
• Sofa beds that don’t suck
• Bookshelf room dividers

DIY Multi-Function Solutions

Create your own:

• Turn a dresser into a TV stand
• Use a desk as a console table
• Bar cart as bathroom storage
• Ladder as blanket display and storage

The key? Look at furniture differently. That vintage trunk? Coffee table and storage. Those floating shelves? Nightstand alternative.

Upcycled Decor for Stylish Homes

Trash to treasure isn’t just a saying – upcycling creates unique pieces nobody else has, for practically nothing. Plus, you get to feel smug about saving the environment.

My proudest upcycle? Turning old wooden crates into a modular shelving system. Found them free on Craigslist, sanded them down, stained them, and now I have custom shelving that would cost hundreds retail. Total investment: $15 for stain.

Upcycling Goldmines

Transform these common finds:

• Old ladders become plant stands
• Wine crates turn into wall shelves
• Mason jars become bathroom organizers
• Tin cans transform into planters

Easy Upcycling Projects

Start with these beginner-friendly ideas:

• Paint thrifted frames in matching colors
• Cover boxes with contact paper
• Decoupage furniture with book pages
• Repurpose glass jars as vases

The beauty of upcycling? If you mess up, you’re only out a few dollars. When you succeed, you have something completely original.

Plant-Filled Apartment Inspirations

Plants make apartments look expensive and you look responsible. Living greenery transforms spaces for the cost of a fancy coffee drink.

I started with one pothos (basically unkillable) and now have 23 plants. Each one cost between free (propagated from friends) and $10. They clean my air, provide free therapy, and make my apartment look like an urban jungle. Win-win-win.

Budget Plant Strategies

Build your collection cheaply:

• Start with easy plants (pothos, snake plants, ZZ plants)
• Propagate from friends’ plants
• Check grocery store clearance sections
• Buy small and let them grow

Creative Plant Displays

Show them off without spending:

• DIY macramé hangers from rope
• Thrifted vessels as planters
• Wall-mounted displays using shelves
• Ladder plant stands

IMO, plants do more for a space than any decorative object. They’re alive, they grow, they change – basically free entertainment that makes you look like you have your life together 🙂

Also Read: 15 Minimalist Apartment Decorating Ideas That Feel Warm

Quick Weekend Apartment Refresh

Sometimes you need instant gratification. Weekend refreshes give immediate impact without major commitments or costs.

Last weekend, I rearranged my furniture, swapped out throw pillow covers, and added new art prints. Spent $30 and three hours, but my apartment feels completely new. That’s the power of strategic refreshing.

One-Day Transformations

Maximum impact projects:

• Rearrange furniture for new layout
• Deep clean and declutter
• Swap textiles (pillows, throws, curtains)
• Create a gallery wall

Weekend Project Priorities

Focus on these high-impact areas:

• Entryway (first impressions matter)
• Living room seating arrangement
• Bedroom ambiance
• Kitchen organization

The secret? Change things that affect daily life. New furniture arrangement changes how you move through space. Fresh bedding changes how you sleep. Small changes, big impact.

Making Budget Decorating Work

Here’s what five years of broke decorating taught me: constraints breed creativity. Having unlimited money would’ve made me lazy. Instead, I learned to see potential everywhere and value creativity over credit cards.

Start with one idea from this list. See how it transforms your space and your confidence. Then tackle another. Before you know it, you’ll have an apartment that looks expensive but cost less than one month’s rent to decorate.

The best decorated apartments aren’t the most expensive ones. They’re the ones with personality, creativity, and intention. Your budget apartment can be just as stylish as those magazine spreads – you just have to work a little harder for it. But honestly? That makes it even more satisfying when someone asks “Where did you get that?” and you get to say “I made it for $5.”

So grab some Command strips, hit up your local thrift store, and start creating. Your dream apartment doesn’t require a dream budget. Just some imagination, effort, and maybe a can of spray paint. Trust me, if I can make a cardboard box dining table look intentional (briefly), you can definitely transform your space. The only thing standing between you and a beautifully decorated apartment is that first trip to the dollar store.