I’ve been a renter for almost 20 years and let me tell you I have moved more times than I can count. With each move I’ve come a long way when it comes to making my apartment feel like home. In the past, I would have much rather decorated my body (i.e. buying clothes and shoes) than my apartment. Also, I used to feel that the more “stuff” I put in my apartment, the more I had to move when it was time to move on to bigger and better. So, for years, I only had the bare minimum in my apartment. And while I still don’t like there to be a lot of clutter in my home, my mindset has certainly evolved when it comes to decorating my apartment and making it feel like home. My apartment is my home, no matter how temporary it may be and it’s important that I feel safe, comfortable, and at peace when I’m there. So, a few years ago I decided to put actual effort into making my apartment feel more like home and it was one of the best decisions.
Let’s get into some ways you can make your apartment feel more like home below:
PAINT/WALLPAPER/BACKSPLASH
I used to be terrified to paint the walls in my apartment but now it is one of the first things I ask when I move in. And guess what…I have never been told that I couldn’t paint. Most apartment complexes just require you to paint the walls with primer before moving out so that they can easily repaint after you leave. Painting the walls (or even just an accent wall) can really pull things together in a room. Don’t feel like bothering with paint? Well, you can also use removable backsplash or tile to spruce up your kitchen or bathroom or removable wallpaper in your rooms.
PLANTS
In 2020, I became a proud plant mom and I love it! Sometimes it can be hard keeping a plant alive but it’s so rewarding. Plants literally add life to your space and can really change the aesthetic of a room. If you’re unsure how to care for your plant baby head over to my friend Antonia’s blog at The Modern Plant Lady for simple steps to care for your houseplants.
ACCENT FURNITURE
As I mentioned earlier, before my mindset change about decorating my apartment, I was all about only having the basics (bed, couch, dresser) when it came to furniture. Basically, if it didn’t have a function, I probably didn’t have it in my place. Now, I am all about adding accents such as mirrors, rugs, ottomans, shelves, and other items that really elevate the look of a room. If you’re like me, you may not have a truck or the manpower to move larger accent furniture into your space. But, don’t let that stop you from getting those larger pieces because College Dudes Help U Move has you covered. They not only move you from place to place but also provide furniture delivery services as well.
LIGHTS
I love lights but one of the things I have pretty consistently not liked in any of my apartments are the light fixtures. Over the years, I have stayed in some pretty nice places but for some reason, one area that properties like to skimp on is the light fixtures. Don’t like them? Change them! Just be sure to place the original light fixtures in a safe place so that you can swap them back out before you move. I also love to add extra lighting to my apartment and have lamps in almost every room.
CREATE A SAFE SPACE
When I think of the house I grew up in, the first word that comes to mind is “safe.” I always felt safe at home before going off to college. So going from my parent’s house to an apartment where I’m living in close proximity with strangers can be a little unnerving. So, whenever I move to an apartment I try to do whatever I can to make it feel safe. Some of the ways that this can be achieved is by checking with your landlord to see if the locks can be changed to include a deadbolt if there isn’t already one installed. If that’s not possible, look into companies that provide alarm systems for apartments. Another way is to make your valuables such as guns and jewelry more difficult to find by placing them in a portable safe. And when it’s time to move on to a new place check out Charlotte Gun Safe Movers to help get that heavy safe moved safely.
