Getting your first apartment is super exciting but apartments can be expensive. If you are like me and go for the cheap apartment you might find that it is a lot dumpier on move-in day than you anticipated. My apartment was disgusting on move-in day and not renovated like I was promised so I took on some simple renovations myself. So here are my cheap and easy tips to make your dumpy apartment a little less dumpy.
Contact Paper
Contact paper is a cheap adhesive paper than you can roll onto ugly countertops. It took me less than one roll to cover my counters making the total cost $10. First, make sure your counters and clean and dry. Then cut the length you need and slowly peel the back off the paper. Line up the contact paper and slowly lay it down. Use a credit card to help the paper lay flat and to prevent air bubbles. For edges that need to be trimmed, use an Exacto knife. If there are any air bubbles, use a needle to poke a small hole to let the air out. Most contact paper is water-resistant and is easy to clean!
Temporary Tile
Older apartments often have outdated tile but there is an easy fix that can easily be taken off when it’s time to move out. Temporary tile has an adhesive backing and is an easy fix to old floors. I tilted my bathroom for only $10! You can get adhesive tile on Amazon and there are a variety of styles and colors. Once you have your tiles, make sure the floor you are covering is clean and dry. Start at a wall or the doorway and line up the tiles and press down. For curved edges, use an Exacto knife to trim excess tile. This will instantly transform your outdated floors and its cost-effective.
Curtains
Curtains are great because they allow you to show your style but also cover up the dumpier parts of your apartment. I hung curtains around my windows, closet (because it came with no closet doors ugh), and to hide the washer and dryer. To hang the curtains I recommend getting a pressure rod because they are super easy to use and do not leave damage (Make sure to get the correct size!!!!). Next, you need to find the right length of the curtains. I have shorter curtains for my windows and longer ones for my closet. Target has some cheap and cute curtains and there is also always Amazon. For more colorful curtains I recommend going to the kids’ section!
Rugs
Sadly there isn’t much you can do about nasty carpet. Carpets in apartments are often an aged oatmeal color with a ton of stains. If you are lucky enough like me, your apartment will come with candy stuck to the carpet and some vibrant orange stains. The only real solution is a rug. You can spend a fortune on a good rug, but let’s face it, if you were rolling in cash you would not be living in a dumpy apartment. Target has some smaller rugs for $20 but if you want a cheap solution, 5 Below has a fun rug for $5 like the one pictured below. So throw down one, two or twelve rugs!
Tapestry/Temporary Wallpaper
Living in an apartment means you can’t paint the plain white walls. To add some color and cover up the weird holes on the wall, consider purchasing temporary wallpaper or a tapestry. Temporary wallpaper is more on the expensive side but it can transform your walls. The temporary wallpaper goes on just like the contact paper for the counters. I purchased a tapestry from amazon for $18 and pinned to the wall. The tighter you pin it to the wall, the better it blends and looks like a part of the wall.
DIY Projects
Finding a project for your apartment is fun and cheap. I wanted a macrame wall hanging but the one I found at World Market was $80. I went on Pinterest for ideas and I bought the supplies from Michael’s for $12. My roommate wanted a canopy for her room so she decided to make one using Christmas lights and $5 sheer curtains from Walmart. Both projects were super fun and for a fraction of the price!
Essential Oil Diffuser
Dumpy apartments often smell just how they look. My apartment reeked after the bathroom flooded (traumatic) and we used essential oils to make the place smell better. An essential oil diffuser is a safer alternative to burning candles and it’s super cheap. I got my diffuser on Amazon for $21 and I paid $20 for 18 essential oils which are a steal. The essential oils last a long time because you only use a few drops at a time. Pinterest has some great recipes for different scents you can create with the essential oils. My diffuser is by far my best purchase this year.
I hope you enjoyed these tips and projects to make your dumpy apartment a little less dumpy. Remember that it is college and you don’t need to live in a super nice place- that is what your 30s are for. So relax and enjoy the little dump you call home!