One of the biggest downsides to living in an apartment is not having the freedom to change your space how you please. With most leases, you can’t paint the walls, make holes, install built-in furniture, or modify the windows and door in drastic ways. In short, you’re not allowed to make permanent changes to your space.
However, that doesn’t mean you have to stick with a bland bedroom for the rest of your stay. If your apartment is like any other, it’s most likely going to be plain (and maybe even a little dreary), but with these simple tricks, you can transform your boring bedroom without making any drastic changes–or breaking the bank.
1. Install temporary walls
There are more ways to modify your walls other than painting them. With temporary walls, you can give your apartment bedroom a whole new look without angering your landlord–or spending a fortune. For example, fake brick brownstone walls can give your bedroom an urban feel and add texture to the space. If you’re looking for a more rustic, homey vibe, you can outfit your walls with stick-on “wooden” panels. The possibilities are even broader with peelable wallpapers that you can be easily removed (with no residue) when it’s time to vacate the apartment.
2. Hang your own curtains
Your landlord will probably ban you from installing your own curtain rods over the windows. And if you live in an area that mandates blinds on apartment windows, you could be stuck with ugly-looking windows for the rest of your time there. The best way to solve this aesthetic issue? Use temporary command hooks and tension rods to hang curtains over the blinds. It’s also a good idea to permanently draw up the blinds to keep them out of the way (and prevent them from gathering dust). Sheer curtains are a good idea to let in natural light without direct sunlight entering your bedroom. Supplement them with another layer of heavier curtains to block out light whenever you want to.
Stay away from drapes, however. Drapers are a hassle to clean and gather up a crazy amount of dust, making your apartment more difficult to clean.
3. Invest in high-quality linens and pillows
Having high-quality linens and pillows can make a big difference in the quality of sleep that you get every night. Not only does this make your bed more comfortable, but it’s also a great way to make your bedroom look more put-together and welcoming as a whole.
4. Change the light fixtures
You may not be able to install your own light fixtures, but you can change the existing fixtures or the light bulbs alone. Choose fixtures that go well with the vision that you have for the room. For instance, if you want your bedroom to have a more relaxing vibe, install sconces that provide just enough illumination in the room. If you want more versatility, on the other hand, color-changing lights may be your best bet.
Color temperature is another factor that you have to consider. For bedrooms, it is recommended to have lights with a temperature of 2,700 to 3,000 Kelvin, which is a soft white that promotes a warm and cozy feeling in the space.
5. Hang artwork
Hanging artwork in your bedroom will help introduce more personality into the space, something that is much-needed if you have a very plain apartment. Thankfully, art prints are relatively inexpensive and you can choose from countless artwork online. You just have to frame them or stretch the print over a canvas, if applicable.
6. Hide the flooring
There’s not much you can do about an ugly or plain bedroom floor except concealing it. You can cover it up with peel and stick vinyl flooring, vinyl sheets, or click-in faux wooden flooring, among many other options. These are temporary fixes to hide unsightly floors and can be easily removed when it’s time to leave the apartment. Nevertheless, they can help transform your bedroom into a more pleasant space.
If this option is out of your budget, lay down a large rug to divert the attention away from your floors. Strongly colored or patterned rugs are especially great options for bland, neutral-colored flooring.
You may not be able to drill holes in the walls or tear out the floorboards, but there are still many ways to make an apartment bedroom your own. With these tips, you can transform your boring old bedroom into a space where you can exude your personality and truly make it seem like home–all while keeping expenses to a minimum and not doing anything to violate the terms of your lease.
