By Victoria Robertson

Making a space your own is a battle that many college students face while away at school. Whether you’re living in a dorm room, a house or an apartment, your college space can be made yours with a little creativity.

If you’re living in an apartment in specific, these tips will help you to decorate your space to your specifications, without costing you a dime when it comes time to move out (and trust us, as college students we know there isn’t a dime to spare).
 

via Pixabay

1. Ask About Paint

First and foremost, when you move into an apartment, you’re likely moving into a space that has an ugly, plain paint color on the walls. While this isn’t necessarily a problem, and can be spruced up if painting isn’t an option, some renters will allow tenants to paint their space.

So long as you have permission (and understand what’s expected of you in terms of returning the paint to its normal color prior to move out), you are all set to paint your space and really make it your own.

2. Invest in Wall Hanging Supplies

Many apartment complexes have landlords that will require you pay back some security deposit if you leave holes in the walls from your hangings, whether those are paintings, pictures or tapestries.

For this reason, invest in hanging supplies that don’t leave holes in the wall, but rather stick on and peel off with ease. This is an easy way to ensure you hang whatever you want, without damaging the walls themselves and costing yourself money in the long run.

3. Grab Some Inexpensive Rugs

Whether your apartment is carpeted or has tile or hardwood floors, you’re likely not going to like the way the flooring looks. While this is still college, and you don’t need to be spending an arm and a leg to spruce them up, rugs are still a great way to bring a space together with your own, personal touch.

So, find some inexpensive rugs that fit the aesthetic you’re going for and put them around the apartment. This not only protects the floors so you don’t get charged later on, but it also makes a space feel much more homey and like it reflects you rather than the other tenants that previously lived there.

4. Use Throw Blankets and Pillows

If you’re leasing an apartment that comes furnished, you don’t have much say over the furniture in the apartment. However, that’s not to say you can’t decorate it in the way that you want.

When you have a furnished apartment, don’t shy away from using throw blankets and pillows to take outdated furniture and make it something you actually enjoy lounging around in. While it’s not going to look perfect, this is a great way to save money and decorate with little investment. Plus, you’ll get plenty of compliments on the way it looks.

5. Bring in Some Greenery

Plants are known to bring in positive vibes, and when you use them to decorate your apartment, you’re promoting that positivity that makes your apartment feel much more like a home than it did without them.

The best part about this is that you don’t need to have a green thumb to pull it off. If you’re a well-known plant killer, opt for faux styles or plants that require minimal care. However you select your plants doesn’t matter, so long as you decorate the space with them and reap the benefits.

6. Impose Your Personal Style

Last, but certainly not least, remember that your apartment is all about you. Just because you’re leasing isn’t to say you can’t make the space your own. So, impose your personal style, wherever possible.

Put a welcome mat out front with a quirky one-liner, or hang up some tapestries that speak to your interests. You can even bring in your own furniture, such as bookshelves, to showcase your favorite belongings that promote your happiness. Whatever your personal aesthetic is, don’t leave it behind just because you’re living in an apartment. This is your first space to make entirely your own, so take advantage of the challenge!

College living is its own beast. For many of us, it’s the first time that we’re living away from home. For this reason, making the space feel like a home is quite the challenge, but that’s not to say it’s impossible.

If you’re living in an apartment this upcoming school year, these helpful tips are a great way to get started in decorating your space to ensure it feels as homey as possible. Because when it comes down to it, there’s no need to compromise your personal style and comfort just because you’ve signed a lease. This is your new home, so make it one!