The days of movie posters and tapestries are over. It’s time to give your apartment some personality, but you probably don’t want to spend a fortune. Well, I’m here to tell you that it can be done, and I’ll also tell you exactly how to do it. Here are ten tips for whipping your place into shape, without busting your budget. If your landlord allows it, paint an accent wall. Something bright will create a focal point for the room, with minimal effort. Chalkboard paint is a good interactive option… after a couple of beers your guests are sure to grab some chalk and write something funny. It’s better than writing on the walls with permanent marker like we did in college. There are lots of alternatives. Use paint chips to decorate a wall. Or hang temporary “wallpaper” using fabric and liquid starch (check out the simple tutorial here. Just like paint, these techniques will have a big impact, especially in a small room. Are we noticing a pattern here? Doing something to the wall is the easiest and most noticeable way to improve the look and feel of your apartment.

Do you have a collection of some sort? Mount it on the wall. Grouping things together makes them seem organized and intentional. If you aren’t a collector, frame something related to your job or hobby. Are you a musician? Frame some old sheet music. Work at an ad agency? Tear out your favorite advertisements from magazines and frame them. Other great things that you can hang on the wall include maps, beer bottle caps, playing cards and ticket stubs from events that you’ve attended over the years. Head to the nearest public park and grab some pine cones to put in a bowl, or pick up a couple of pine branches that are laying on the ground and stick them in a vase or jar. Interesting rocks also make cool door stops. And don’t stop there! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – buy a plant. They make a room feel more alive and also improve the air quality. Home Depot has many house plants under $10. Use an old frame to make a tray, and then use that tray to corral the contents of your coffee table.

Clutter suddenly becomes a collection of meaningful items, rather than random stuff you don’t feel like putting away. To make a tray from an old frame, simply place a decorative piece of paper in the frame (wrapping paper will work) and add metal handles to each side. Wine crates are incredibly versatile, and also free if you can sweet-talk your local wine shop owner into saving some for you. halloween home decor for adultsFill an existing shelf with wine crates for instant enclosed storage, or line the top of your cabinets with them to hide lesser-used items. best christmas lights long island 2014You can also mount them on the wall to display knick-knacks.the perfect way to decorate a christmas tree

Try moving things to unexpected places. Bring your bedside lamp into the kitchen for a more inviting ambiance. Grab all your random decorative items and put them in a pile, then redistribute them. You’ll be surprised at how different they look once you’ve moved them to a different location. Grouping items by color or theme will help to achieve a more unified look; home decor website template freeput all of your red books on one shelf, and all of your blue ones on another. christmas decoration ideas for the living roomThis is a simple decorative touch that doesn’t cost a thing.christmas decorating tips for the home Many landlords won’t splurge on things like cabinet handles and drawer pulls, but high quality hardware really does look better.

Buy yourself some nice stainless steel hardware when you’re at Home Depot. This might set you back a few bucks, but look at it as an investment – you can always switch back to the old knobs before you leave your apartment and bring the new ones to your new place. The answer to this problem again is paint. Choose a bright color to liven the place up, or if most of your furniture is black but you have one light wood piece, you might consider painting that black to match. Check out Andrew’s feature on refinishing furniture for more how-to’s and ideas. Think about it – this is a completely free way to make your space look more presentable and inviting. Throw out the junk, donate the stuff you no longer use, and organize the stuff you do. It doesn’t have to be as horrible as it sounds… grab a glass of scotch, turn on the TV and go to town. Although it sounds daunting, it is entirely possible to improve your apartment without forking over a lot of cash. You just have to be resourceful.

Think outside the box a bit, and you’ll be able to create an inviting space for you to hang out with your friends. And your bank account won’t even notice. Primer is a guy's post-college guide to growing up: Affordable style, how-to's, and self-development for the everyday, 20-something man. For more tips for living like a real human beaing, check out: [Additional Images: houseplant: Elena Elisseeva, hardware: Steve Cukrov, clutter: Thomas Bethge]Posted on August 26, 2014 by Let’s face it, dorm rooms can be a very dull place. Cinder block walls, a plastic twin mattress and florescent light bulbs don’t scream cool or hip or have any of your creative flair. Consider the ideas and tips below to spruce-up this no-frills space into the room of your college dreams. Add your personality from the floor up using decorative rugs, carpet squares or floor cushions. They can be eye-catching and bring texture and warmth to a white-washed bedroom. Just be sure to leave enough clearance for door swings and make sure you can navigate around the room safely.

You’ll also need to purchase a small hand-held vacuum, especially for allergy victims. The last thing you want are allergens and dust mites building up! Make your standard dorm bed more luxurious with a headboard crafted from an old sheet or fabric and a sturdy piece of cardboard. It will add some punch to your all-white abode and can travel easily if you need to move rooms. When it comes to sheets, first check to confirm if your bed is standard or extra-long. Once you’ve determined the appropriate size, look for textured fabrics, which not only disguises any dirt or stains but also add interest to the room. Washi tape, a colored paper tape, is an absolute essential when it comes to dorm room decor. Like painters tape, it can be removed without residue, meaning its a great temporary fix. Use it to line your shelves, to create make-shift frames for your poster collection, to add a geometric pattern to the back of your door or to customize storage boxes. If you really want to go washi crazy, A Night Owl has 100 ways to use washi.

You have nearly endless options when it comes to giving your dorm room walls a makeover. Accessories are typically reserved as gorgeous accents for your wardrobe, but consider displaying them in your room. Buy a few sticky hooks or a cheap bamboo ladder to add scarves, jewelry and head pieces. If you prefer to dress up your windows, add drapes or shades to . Just use curtain rings and a decorative tension rod to stay within dorm room rules. Lastly, try removable peel-and-stick wallpaper in a bright, geometric pattern behind your bed or to line the sides of your standard-issue furniture. There’s nothing worse than those florescent fixtures. Eliminate the need for such harsh, overhead lighting with desk lamps or other task lighting. They will lend a softer glow to the room and reduce eyestrain, glare and mental fatigue, none of which are good for those late night study sessions. If you attend school in a city with a long, cold winter, consider adding a mood elevator light, which mimics natural sunshine.