What makes a house or apartment a home? And what if, due to certain life circumstances, you have to move all the time? How to decorate a rental house or apartment so that it creates a sense of comfort, security, and serves as your personal haven to unwind and recharge? At Enjoy The Wood, we decided to look into all these “what-ifs” and “hows” to help you make your home comfier and more inviting.

Let Vintage Do Its Job

Styling your interior with vintage items adds a sense of character and tells stories that, in tandem, make the space look more inviting and home-like. A mid-century sofa, a vintage bookshelf, or an antique coffee table – any piece of classy furniture will do. 

Buys Some Textiles

Pillows, blankets, plaids, and curtains are made to turn your home into a sanctuary. Even if you have blinds, curtains are sure to soften the look. When in need of pops of color, fabric tapestries and wall hangings rock.

Don’t Hesitate to Personalize Your Walls

Hang posters, photos, or framed art that have something to do with you, your lifestyle, job, hobbies, etc. The best option is to have a gallery wall using adhesive hooks that won’t damage the wall.

Use Mismatched Chairs

They are a vibe, guys! One has to only recall the “Friends” TV show where characters were frequently sitting around the dining room table with mismatched chairs. Do the same. Instant cozy feel is guaranteed!

Mount a Map

What can be a better reminder of your (probably faraway) home than a city, town, or village pinned on the world or regional maps? And you’ll have both – a gorgeous piece of décor and one more thing, showing where you’ve left your heart.

Bring in a Collection of Plants

They’re great when it comes to breathing life into the most boring room. Plus, low-maintenance plants are a perfect choice for those who lack time and wonder how to make apartment feel like home without designer skills.

Use a Chair as an Accent

Need an extra seat? We recommend getting the fluffiest chair ever and placing it in the reading nook or beneath the window of your apartment.

Upgrade Your Dropzone

If your place doesn’t have a well-organized entryway, get a couple of wall-mounted pieces, baskets, a huge mirror, and finish the look using your purses, hats, and jackets. Now add the sunglasses and keys, and your perfect and inviting entryway is ready to welcome your first guests.

Style a Standing Bookshelf

The best part about adding a standing bookshelf is that it works for those who need to know how to decorate a rented flat. All of your favorite books will be kept in one place while your apartment will get a piece of décor that takes coziness to the next level. We recommend adding elements like real plants, wooden décor, and personal décor with a candle to cozy up the look.   

Take Care of the Bathroom

Photo by RDNE Stock project from Pexels

Even if it’s a small one. All those candles, bubble baths, flowers, wall shelves, pretty door hooks and hand towels, framed vintage art in the most unexpected places, and plants create ultimate cozy vibes.

Use Wood

Whenever possible. At EnjoyHome, we talked a lot about the ability of this material to evoke cozy feelings. Even if it’s a small decorative piece like a frame or a couple of shelves, or something more grandiose like a table or wooden flooring, it instantly makes any room warmer.

Maximize Storage Options

How to make my apartment look better and reduce clutter? Organize your belongings well. Vertical storage solutions (if you lack horizontal space) like hooks and shelves, beds with drawers, ottomans equipped with hidden sections – each does a great job when it comes to camouflaging your stuff.  

Make a Nap Nook

If there’s a lounge zone, convert a part of it into a nap area with your favorite fluffy plaid and a couple of pillows. Having this comfort zone just for yourself turns any room into a snug nest.

How to Decorate a Rental Home Without Breaking the Rules

Photo by Dmitry Zvolskiy from Pexels

…and the bank. After all, renting always comes with a range of restrictions on what you can/can’t change. The good news – we know how to make an apartment feel like home even if it’s not yours.

Temporary Options for Walls

• Peel-and-stick wallpapers are great to add a touch of bold design and be able to remove them whenever you feel like.
• XXL artwork. No hammer nails included! Just lean the canvas against the wall and voilà! Style’s in the game.
• Fabric panels. Hang colorful fabric to have a hooking accent wall.

Take Your Lighting to the Next Level

• Pendant lights and plug-in scones hone the space's look without electrical components.
• Pick stylish lamp shades to install them instead of old ones.
• Smart bulbs will help you add warmth and brightness that you prefer.

And the best thing is that no wiring is needed!

Rugs Here and There

• Use rugs to camouflage scuffed floors and old tiles and define the room zones.
• Smaller rugs = visual interest (keep that in mind, renters!). 
• Put a fluffy rug in a bathroom for the best self-care sanctuary look. 

Tips to Decorate Your Home Without Buying Everything at Once

To create a beautiful home, you don’t have to spend all you’ve got. How to decorate an apartment on a budget? Three elements are needed: planning, a dose of your creativity, and a couple of hacks listed below:

• Know your budget and priorities. What room is the first to decorate? Bedroom? Home office?
• Spend more $ on stuff you use every day, like a sofa, desk, or a bed.
• Shop smart, giving preference to flea markets and thrift stores.
• Let DIY décor help you (create your own prints, posters, wall art, repurpose old pieces of furniture, and so on).

How to make an ugly apartment cute? Whether it’s a rented, brand-new, or not-so-new apartment, adding life and relaxation to it can take time. However, with a pinch of your own personality injected into it and our tips above, you’re sure to achieve the house look.