Decorating your new apartment or dorm doesn’t have to be expensive. By thinking outside the box and using a little creativity, you can create a stylish, functional space that is the perfect reflection of your personal style. Use these affordable decorating tips to get you started!
Repurpose Existing Decor or Everyday Items
You can save money by using pieces you already have and giving them a new use or a new home in your dorm or apartment. Paint old mugs or jars a bright new color and use them to hold small items like pens or hair accessories. Stack suitcases horizontally for a creative coffee table, or weave old scarves in a loose braid to hang as a draping piece of decor over the top of a mirror or bed frame. Add some cushions to a low coffee table to create additional seating. The options are endless when you begin to get creative with DIY decor!
Shop Smarter for Home Decor
The highest price tag doesn’t always equal the best, especially when it comes to today’s home decor and curtain trends. You can get high quality, modern decor designs and drapes for a fraction of the cost with a few smart shopping tips. First, go beyond the big box stores and look for online retail options that are focused on saving consumers money every day, like
Half Price Drapes. Next, sign up for email alerts so you can cash in on the savings when your favorite stores have sales and specials. Look for coupons and online coupon codes to save you even more, and finding free shipping options can keep more money in your pocket. Seasonal and clearance sales or
online curtain outlets are also great choices to find more affordable decor.
Use Smart Strategies to Create a Big Impact with Less Decor
Less is often more, and this is especially true when it comes to more compact spaces like apartments and dorms. Modern style guides suggest you can create focal points in any space that make a big impact, allowing you to use fewer decor pieces and still have incredibly stylish surroundings. For example, choosing a few pieces of bright, eclectic accent furniture can instantly amplify a room. Choosing a set of curtains with a
unique pattern or bold print can create an all-over style transformation for a room. Add a splash with
cushion covers in a fresh pattern or color. A single piece of large artwork or creatively arranged items like candles, books, or collectibles in small groupings will make a focal point that adds depth and style without making the area seem cramped or cluttered.
Arrange a Swap for Cheap DIY Decor
Chances are, many of your friends are in the same boat when it comes to wanting to create a stylish dorm or apartment on a budget. One way to help everyone out is to arrange a decor swap. Have guests bring any items they no longer love, from curtains to accent furniture to smaller decor items, and trade items so everyone goes home with something new to them. If you swap for something that’s not quite the right style for you, don’t be afraid to dress it up with some new paint, fabric, or other revamp to make it feel like it’s truly yours. The best home decor and curtain trends are the ones that really feel like you, whether they match the latest looks or not.
Create a Simple Theme for Your Dorm or Apartment
Styling your dorm or apartment around a simple, central theme is another way you can save money. A beach theme or rustic decor look makes it easy to find lots of style options, including items you can find at traditional stores or even thrift stores and yard sales. Even using one main color as your background theme can help you decorate affordably. Sticking to the main palette and adding in splashes of color through a few unique accents can help you embrace a stylish look with a smaller investment.
If your decor has a specific theme, it makes it easy for people to gift items to you on birthdays or holidays, too, because they’ll know just what will fit with your space. You don’t have to follow a fancy style guide to choose a theme that fits with your interests and personality.
Fresh, Modern, and Affordable DIY Decor That Works for You
Whether you love soft, cozy decor with lots of textures, or you prefer a more minimalist design that embraces clean lines and subtle accents, you can find the decor and curtain trends that are right for you by considering a few tips and tricks. Get the fresh, beautiful look that makes your dorm or apartment the perfect place for studying, get-togethers with friends, and cozy dinners when you decorate with smart, affordable styles in mind.
