For years before we owned a home, we lived in apartments or spaces that weren’t really our own. There were even times we lived without any of our own furniture in our home. We actually spent years without even our own mattress. The list goes on. In the process, though, we always tried to find ways to make a home wherever we were. Since many of you are in similar places where you may be renting until you can buy, staying with family or even not in your dream home yet, I partnered with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority to share ways we made the most out of those times in our life without breaking the bank.
I have many friends who do not own homes and even live between multiple places in order to save money or while they chase a dream. These days, with the rising pricing of housing, I think this is fairly common and programs such as MSHDA can significantly help renters and homebuyers find ways to purchase a home or make renting more affordable. However, what do you do if that space isn’t your ideal living situation? How can you make it feel like it is meant for you while you call it home for however long that may be?
I am a big believer in the importance of establishing a sense of home and making it feel like it is a comfortable, inspiring, and beautiful space that makes you want to cook, invite people over, or just relax. It is the worst when you are living somewhere that you don’t want to be, am I right? So here are the 5 things I did that cost very little but really helped create a space that felt like home:
How To Make An Apartment Feel Like Home
1. Let The Light In
Nearly every place you are has windows. If you don’t have windows, it probably isn’t legal – or safe — for you to be staying there. I find that natural light can dramatically shift a space. By removing curtains, shades, or any other light deterrents in your space you will be able to feel like your room is brighter, fuller, and more inspiring.
Natural light is powerful. Now, if you still feel like the light isn’t to your liking or you hate the lighting in the space, take notes from the Danish. They set warm lights low or at eye level in order to create a cozy and inviting feeling in a space. Simple lights such as these ones can dramatically shift how the light feels especially in the evening or if you aren’t allowed to burn candles where you are renting.
You may also consider LED strip lights for your decorations. But, are LED strip lights environmentally friendly? LED light strips that still function can even be sold as used lighting. Their long lifespan makes this ability to reuse and reduce trash a great choice for going green.
It is amazing how lighting can completely change your feelings about a space. Ditch fluorescent lighting but add in low and simple lights in kitchens and throughout the other rooms. Don’t feel you HAVE to use the existing lighting. Check out sites like https://callbigfamily.com/lighting-installation/ if you need any help installing your lightings.
2. Stay Neutral
Most rentals come with fairly neutral tones on the walls and many times it isn’t an exciting color. If you plan to move quite a bit, sometimes thinking neutral about the things you own in the space is helpful. Personally, I find neutral spaces far more calming and inspiring. I feel it leaves space for everything else to take place around you. Also, neutral tones will open up a space. Sometimes, certain colors will draw too much attention and tighten your view of the room, and ultimately feel smaller. Not to mention, if you move, if you have invested in anything for this space it is either easy to sell or will work in another space very easily.
3. Paint—- but not in the way you think
Since most rentals don’t allow you the ability to paint anything, you can still paint other things that you own. Finding repurposed pieces and painting them to fit the space is a great way to bring life to a room as well. For instance, you may find chairs that are white, and instead of keeping them white, you think about painting them a really soft gray/blue or even a bold army green. These colors can make the space feel more like your own. Now if you do own the space, you may think about small renovations that are simple and easy such as repainting cabinetry and so on. You can see how we did this here in our Raleigh home we had as the first home we purchased.
4. Get Some Plants Growing
Plants are a wonderful and low-cost way to create a homey and inspiring space. Some plants are easier than others to bring into an indoor setting so check out this awesome guide for great houseplants and how to care for them, inside or outside, e.g., tree pruning. Plants do a lot for a space such as naturally filter the air and also create a happier feeling to a space. Collect used pots and containers from a second-hand store, garage sales or antique stores, then buy a bag of dirt and pick up a few plants. For just a few bucks a month you could build a whole garden right in your rental. Another great DIY is for a wall-mounted Staghorn or Orchid for your space.
5. Don’t Be Confined By A Room
When you enter a space, don’t feel you have to stick to what a room was designed for. If you enjoy the lighting in the living room the most for working and dining, then switch it up. No space has to be exactly as it was designed, especially in a rental. You can make a bedroom a living room and more for this using decoration can be helpful to accomplish this, as you can get great tips for this at sites like laurelandwolf.com. I like to make sure that most of life is happening in the brightest rooms in the house and sleep is happening in the darkest spaces, but that is me you may have different feelings. Just know that you don’t have to stick to the rules on what a room seems to be intended for.
6. Display Those Sentimental Items
It is then time to select some sentimental items, once the walls have been painted and the lighting has been arranged. Adding little mementos and family heirlooms will make a space feel loved and personalized. You should include your personal items that mean a lot to you while planning your decor scheme. It is not only nice to look at but also sentimental to have decorations in your house that are from your grandparent’s house, from your mother or a mirror that you acquired during your trip abroad. It can help to fill the space with both old and new items to enhance the feeling of belonging.
7. Don’t Let Extra Junk Build Up
It will be a while before the boxes and paint are gone from your apartment. However, take care to eliminate unnecessary junk from your home. It is important that everything has its place. Although it doesn’t need to be a perfectly arranged system, leaving things just where they are will just lead to clutter if you don’t know where they belong. Make sure everything has a space so your space no matter the size feels 100% like you and a place you rest when you walk through the door.
The last tidbit is don’t feel like you have to do a lot or buy a lot to make a space yours. sometimes just keeping things minimal, simple, and focused is the best way to make the most of a space and make it the most inviting to friends.
Keeping things minimal will allow you to keep the space cleaner and more organized. When you do end up moving, you will have far fewer things to pack up. The best part is you will save a ton of money not buying too much for the space, which will help you have more money to put away or pay off debt so you have the freedom to make other decisions down the road. Simple touches and rethinking can really be the best way to make the most of a space you have at the moment.
So, tell me what have been some awesome things you have done that are affordable to help make your three bedroom apartments feel like home while it is temporary for you?
