What I Learned Decorating Three Different Apartments in Four Years

My living room had that “rental beige” look no matter what I tried — until I figured out it was the curtains. For years, I just used whatever came with the apartment or slapped up some cheap, thin panels from Walmart that let in too much light and did nothing for the room’s overall feel. I thought curtains were just for privacy and light control, not for making a room look… finished. My first apartment had those vertical blinds, you know the kind, that clack whenever there’s a breeze. My second place had flimsy off-white sheers on a tension rod. Neither did anything to hide the fact that the walls were a flat, uninspiring beige.

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I finally got wise when I moved into my third apartment. It had even more windows, and I knew I couldn’t keep doing the same old thing. I realized that the right curtains could actually make the beige walls less noticeable, almost like framing a picture. I went to IKEA and bought the MAJGULL blackout curtains in gray. They were $35 for a pair (98 inches long) at the time, which felt like a splurge compared to the $15 panels I used to buy. But the difference was immediate. They’re thick, have a nice drape, and the gray actually brought some depth to the room. The biggest lesson? Don’t skimp on curtains, and make sure they go all the way to the floor, or even puddle a little. Hanging them high and wide makes a window look bigger and the room feel taller. My old mistake was hanging them just above the window frame on a cheap rod that barely extended beyond the window itself. Don’t do that.

The Rug Rule: Bigger Than You Think

This is probably the most expensive mistake I made repeatedly. In my first apartment, a tiny 1-bedroom, I had a 5×7 rug in the living room. It was one of those shag rugs from a discount store, probably $70. It looked lost. Like a postage stamp in the middle of the floor. When I moved to a slightly larger place (a 10×12 living room), I upgraded to another 5×7, thinking it would be enough. Nope. Still looked like an island. The rule I finally learned, after wasting money on two too-small rugs, is that in a 10×12 room, you need at least an 8×10 rug. Ideally, you want at least the front legs of your sofa and armchairs to be on the rug. If the rug just floats in the middle, it makes the room feel disconnected.

My current 8×10 rug is the Moroccan Trellis rug from Target’s Threshold brand. I paid around $150 for it on sale. While it looks good in photos and was a decent price, I have to be honest: it pills. A lot. Within 3 months of regular use, I started seeing little fuzz balls, especially in high-traffic areas. If you’re looking for something that will hold up long-term, skip it. It’s fine for a temporary fix, but I’ll be replacing it with something higher quality when I can afford it. Learn from my mistake: a rug is an investment, even on a budget. Don’t go too small, and read reviews for pilling before you buy.

Lighting: You Need More Than One Overhead

Every single apartment I’ve rented has come with one sad, boob-light fixture in the middle of the living room ceiling. It’s either too bright, too dim, or casts weird shadows. For my first two apartments, I just lived with it, maybe adding a cheap floor lamp from a box store. It made the rooms feel stark and unwelcoming at night.

In my current apartment, I decided to tackle the lighting problem head-on. The biggest improvement came from adding multiple light sources at different heights. I still have the overhead light for when I need bright, general illumination (like cleaning), but most evenings, I rely on a mix of a floor lamp and a couple of table lamps. My favorite budget find is the Metal Dome Floor Lamp from Target (Threshold brand), which I got for about $40 on sale. It’s got a solid base and directs light well for reading. For table lamps, I often find good ones at HomeGoods or TJ Maxx for under $30. The trick is to vary the light temperature if you can – a mix of warm and slightly cooler bulbs makes a huge difference in creating a cozy atmosphere. I use 2700K (warm white) bulbs in most of my lamps. This is a small change that has a big impact on how a room feels, much more than you’d expect for the cost of a few lightbulbs and a couple of lamps.

Art Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive

Bare walls are the biggest giveaway that you just moved in, or that you don’t really care about your space. In my first place, I had exactly zero art. In my second, I had a couple of framed concert posters. They were okay, but not exactly “decor.” I used to think I needed to buy fancy framed art, which felt out of my budget.

Then I discovered the world of digital prints and thrift store frames. For my current apartment, I’ve bought digital prints on Etsy for $5-$10 each. You download the file, send it to a local print shop (like Staples or FedEx Kinko’s) for about $5-$15 per print, depending on size, and then pop it into a frame. I’ve found some great solid wood frames at thrift stores for under $10 each, and a little black spray paint can make them look brand new. My favorite pieces are ones I printed myself from high-resolution images I found on public domain art sites like the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection. It’s a super affordable way to get unique art that reflects your taste. Don’t be afraid to mix and match frame styles and art, either. A gallery wall made up of diverse pieces collected over time looks much more interesting than a matched set.

So, if you’re feeling stuck with your rental, start with the curtains. Seriously. This weekend, measure your windows and head to IKEA or check out some budget-friendly options online. Look for panels that are at least 96 inches long so they’ll hit the floor, and get a rod that extends at least 6-12 inches beyond each side of your window frame. It’s a game-changer.