When it comes to decorating your New York City apartment, you don’t always have to choose between stylish and budget-friendly. There are plenty of DIY tips, tricks, and guides on the internet that can help you turn your apartment into a chic living space without spending too much. We’ve consolidated some of the best information we could find to give you the best budget-friendly decorating tips for your apartment!
1. Bring Some Life to Your Walls
Nothing’s worse than having boring white walls in an apartment. However, not every landlord is willing to let you repaint them (even if you promise to return them to their original shade of monotony). So what do you do? Well, aside from adding wall art (which will be discussed), you can create a patterned dot wall using stick-on vinyl. Assuming you already have some of the basic tools, it could cost you as little as $10 for an entire wall. Best of all, you simply have to peel the dots off upon moving out.
While you can find a complete and thorough breakdown of the project, here are some of the basics you really need to know:
Start by purchasing some sheets of sticky vinyl online. You can find sticky vinyl in literally any color, pattern, or shade you’d like these days, so don’t be afraid to get a little creative. For a classic, chic look, you can go with gold (as the tutorial suggests).
Cut them into small circles or 1.5 inch dots using an automatic or manual die cutting tool. (Don’t have access to a cameo cutting tool? Scissors will work if you’re willing to put in the time and effort).
Use a laser level to figure out where you’ll place the vinyl stickers on the wall. Next, use a pencil to mark these spots for easy placement. (The tutorial suggest 6.5 inch spacing for 1.5 inch dots).
It’s truly that easy. This project only costs a few dollars and can be completed – from start to finish – in a single afternoon or evening. What do you think?
One of the downsides of renting an apartment is that you pay a premium for space and storage. As a result, people often compromise storage for other amenities and features. That doesn’t mean you have to deal with crowded closets and overstuffed cabinets, though. By embracing open storage, you can add a unique flare to your apartment and free up some space.
Better Homes and Gardens has a list of some unique and stylish ideas for open storage in the kitchen. Some of our favorites include the stainless steel industrial kitchen shelving and hanging pot rack above the island. However, open storage isn’t just for the kitchen. There are also plenty of options for the living room, bedroom, and bathrooms. Look around and don’t be afraid to get creative with what you already have.
3. Design a Gallery Wall
If you’re looking to maximize wall space and make a tasteful statement, consider a gallery wall. They’re currently in-style and can really add some genuine character to your apartment. Best of all? Assuming you already have some frames, pictures, and portraits, you can design a gallery wall for $5-$10. (However, you can also scale the project as much as you want – theoretically spending hundreds of dollars).
When it comes to gallery walls, there really aren’t any rules. You can set your own, of course, but you don’t have to follow anyone’s directions. This is what makes them so great. You’re free to express your own creative ideas and styles.
The first step is to gather your prints, frames, and pieces. Some people like to create themed gallery walls (color, shapes, frames, etc.), while other go for a totally random design. The best place to start is by laying them out on the floor and taking inventory of what you have. Next, rearrange them in the pattern you like.
After formulating your plan, start hanging. Begin with your largest piece and then build out from there. For best results, include some points of symmetry while simultaneously scattering other pieces off-center. Check out online forms to find forums with examples of unique and stylish gallery walls.
4. Repurpose a Tripod…Into a Lamp
Have you given up on your dreams of becoming a musician? Well, the good news is that you may have an old music stand hanging around. There are beginner-friendly guides for this project. The best part is that they claim it can be done for only $30!
In addition to the tripod, you’ll need a lamp switch, power outlet head, power cable and some standard tools. As the guide explains, you’ll remove the sheet music holder from the top, exposing a natural housing for the power cable You then thread the pieces into the appropriate parts and you’re left with a stylish lamp in no time. Depending on which shade you purchase for it (and the appearance of the tripod), you can go for rustic, charming, or chic.
With tripod lamps regularly selling for $100 or more, this unique DIY tripod lamp is an incredible money-saver. Not to mention, it has more character and a rather compelling backstory.
After completing this project, you may be interested to learn that there are hundreds of other tutorials on the internet for repurposing standard objects into floor and table lamps.
Editor’s Note: We updated this article to enhance readability.
Lee is a data geek from MIT who spent years at quantitative hedge funds cranking out models to explain and predict financial markets. Real estate has always been a big part of Lee's life. He grew up helping out at his parents' Jersey Shore motels, became a landlord his first year out of college, analyzed mortgages on a fixed-income trading desk, and acquired a New York real estate license. At RentHop, he combines his nerd talents and real estate knowledge to constantly tweak the secret HopScore. He currently lives near Bryant Park and his favorite restaurant was Cafe Zaiya (now known as Tomiz).
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