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30+ Small Apartment Decorating Ideas on a Budget (Easy DIYs)

By: Author Kate

Posted on Published:

I’ve rounded up the best small apartment decorating ideas in one place, making it easy to create a stylish home on a budget.

Below, you’ll find the ultimate apartment inspiration that turns even a tiny loft apartment or studio apartment into a cozy, warm, and inviting space.

You’ll also find creative DIYs for every style, whether you prefer a colorful, minimalist, modern, or vintage farmhouse home.

Dream apartment decor doesn’t need to cost a fortune, and this post shows you how!

If you’re renting your apartment, these DIY Renter-Friendly Upgrades are a great way to breathe new life into your space without losing your deposit!

Budget-Friendly Apartment Decorating Ideas

1. Create Your Own Home Decor

Let’s face it, purchasing home decor from trendy stores like Anthropologie or even cute local boutiques is incredibly expensive.

Most of us don’t have that kind of budget, but that doesn’t mean your apartment has to be empty and boring.

Here are some creative and unique DIY decor pieces that fit right into small-space apartments, and add much-needed character and style!

5-Minute DIY Decor Ideas

These thirteen 5-Minute DIY Decor Ideas instantly update any home, using cheap and upcycled materials that fit into any budget. Here’s a preview of the incredible designs inside the post!

A white panted pod with a cactus and black rim and succulents growing inside.
Embroidery hoop and patterned fabric wall art.
A wood bead garland around a farmhouse weathered white corbel on a coffee table.
A DIY eucalyptus wreath on a wood background.

Eco-Friendly Home Decor Hacks

These 15 mindful home decor ideas include recycled and upcycled decor crafts that you can complete over the weekend. Here’s a sneak peek of what’s inside!

Collage showing paper and pressed flower wall art.
Collage of upcycled mason jar vases.
Collage showing differently styled bookshelves.

Easy Air Dry Clay Projects

Here are 25 air dry clay projects for beginners that range from whimsical to practical. You’ll find handmade wall decor, table decor, and more. Here are a few of our favorite ideas from the post!

Nature mobile made from air fry clay, wood, and twine
A DIY clay wall hanging with clay discs and coiled metal.
Clay beads spill from a metal basket on a side table.
Homemade clay bowls decorated with painted polka dots and green ferns leaves.

DIY Farmhouse Decor

If you like the farmhouse vibe, this post highlights simple DIYs with country charm. Here’s one of our favorite decor pieces from inside the post!

A faux metal windmill decoration on a white side table with other rustic decor.

You may also like these Seven Stunning Ways to Add Farmhouse Style.

White shiplap walls in a dining room with white cloth-covered chairs, a farmhouse wall sign, and a faux tree in the corner.
A wood sliding farmhouse barn door in a dining room.
White shiplap bedroom wall with a bed and hoop wreath with greenery.

$8 DIY Wood Bead Garland

For only $8, you can create this rustic farmhouse wood bead garland that’s perfect for table and mantel decor.

DIY $8 wooden bead garland

DIY Spring Art

This quick DIY project is perfect for a spring refresh. If you have scrap wood lying around, you can create this craft for almost zero dollars.

A wood wall hanging with greenery in the center.

Floral Hoop Wreaths

Wreath decor is a simple way to update a fireplace or front door with life and color. You can also hang wreaths above your couch or bed.

Here are some cheap and simple hoop wreath ideas from inside the post!

Cherry Blossom hula hoop wreath hanging on a rustic wood wall background.
Simple farmhouse hoop wreath with spring leaves.
Magnolia clothespin wreath hanging on a wall.
Wood bead wreath with spring flowers.

2. Paint Your Tile

One of our favorite small-space decor tricks is to paint your tile! Painted tile updates your space and adds color and dimension without taking up any extra space.

Plus, it’s way cheaper than ripping up your floors and installing new ones.

If you’re new to painted tile, check out these beginner tutorials:

Here are some of our favorite tile transformations to get your creative juices flowing!

Painted bathroom floor tiles with a black stencil design.
Boho painted tile floors in a bathroom with gray and white paint.
Modern boho palm leaf painted kitchen backsplash with white and blue paint.

Not ready to paint? Try adding affordable Farmhouse Rugs for warmth and pattern, instead.

Image collage showing a tan jute rug and a patterned rug with dark blue, teal, red, and orange details.

3. Decorate with Plants

Indoor plants both beautify and purify your home. They’re especially helpful for improving the air quality in small spaces.

Here are some of our favorite indoor plant resources to help you start your indoor garden:

Collage of succulents in glass terrariums.
A painted white and black clay pot with a picture of a cactus on the front and a green succulent growing inside.
Boho painted pots with succulents inside on a white shelf.
Coastal farmhouse painted pots with succulents inside.
Herb pots with farmhouse paint design and moss decoration.
Painted terra cotta pot

4. Add Texture and Dimension with Wall Treatments

Wall makeovers are another no-space decor upgrade that help you personalize your small apartment. Here are some DIY accent walls and wall treatments that beginners can do.

Collage of 4 pictures of DIY Modern Accent walls

5. Update Cabinets with Paint

Don’t like your kitchen or bathroom cabinets? Paint them! Your cabinets are part of your home decor and deserve your creative eye.

This post on How To Paint Kitchen Cabinets The Right Way walks you through the process, step-by-step!

Before and After pictures of a thrifty kitchen makeover

6. Turn Your Light Fixtures into Decor Pieces

Your light fixtures are the jewelry of your home. Don’t settle for boring “boob” lights or outdated builder-grade lighting.

Here are some affordable ways to update your home’s lighting:

DIY lighting project

7. Visit Your Closest Ikea

Have you heard about those viral IKEA hacks that turn box store items into stunning custom home pieces?

Projects like these are a DIY decor staple for beginners, so we’ve rounded up some of the best ideas from around the web.

Here’s a preview of the 13 Incredible IKEA Hacks we think have the most impact on a home.

A bed with a colorful blue and coral bedspread with a coral-colored nightstand and white nightstand décor.
A clear desk with a white fur stool and gold legs and a black and gold lamp on top.
Built-in bookshelves filled with books and décor in a room with wooden floors.

8. Don’t Forget Your Windows

Curtains are another way to add color, texture, and design to your apartment without taking up any extra space.

These 11 Budget-Friendly Modern Farmhouse Curtains are a great place to start your search, and you may also like these modern boho curtains from the IKEA post linked above!

Cheer white curtains with gold triangles behind a metal chair with a gold sequined pillow.
Two large vertical windows with multiple panes, black frames and sheer curtains.

9. Beautify Your Balcony

If you’re lucky enough to have an apartment balcony, it can serve as an extension of your home. Here are some simple ways to maximize that square footage and turn it into an outdoor oasis!

A faux boxwood wall on the exterior wall of a house.

SAVE THESE IDEAS ON PINTEREST!

Steal these small apartment decorating ideas on a budget to create your dream apartment decor! Whether you’re moving into an old or new apartment, you’ll find plenty of apartment decor inspiration here. Check out these cute apartment ideas that won’t break the bank!