Apartment Glow-Up Simple Upgrades That Make a Big Difference

Do you want to upgrade an apartment without spending a ton of money?

You’ve probably heard that you need thousands of dollars to properly decorate or renovate a home. But upgrades don’t have to be expensive.

Cheap apartment upgrades can change the entire look and feel of your space.

What’s more…

These changes won’t break the bank. They’re easy to do. Perfect for renters. And you won’t even need to use any power tools.

Below we’ll cover:

Why Upgrading Your Apartment Is Worth It
Simple Upgrades That Have Major Impact
How To Make The Biggest Impact On Your Budget

Why Apartment Upgrades Are Worth It

Listen… apartment dwellers.

Whenever you see an apartment, regardless if it’s yours or someone else’s, you instantly feel like something’s missing.

The walls are bare. The lighting is terrible. It just looks cold. But instead of doing anything about it you immediately talk yourself out of it because “It’s just a rental.”

Wrong.

Americans spent an average of $1,598 on home décor in 2023. Granted that isn’t huge but it proves you don’t need to spend loads of money to improve your pad.

Small upgrades add up quickly. A couple of inexpensive changes to the lighting, textiles, and overall layout of your apartment can make it feel like a completely different space. Plus if you’re spending more time at home than ever before — thanks to remote work and all that — your home’s atmosphere is more important than ever.

Simple Upgrades That Have Major Impact

Not all apartment upgrades are created equal.

Some upgrades cost just a few bucks but give you crazy-good visual impact. Those are the upgrades we want to focus on first.

Affordable Washable Area Rugs

If you could only upgrade one thing in your apartment, this should be it.

Having bare floors is a huge mood killer. No matter how nice your hardwood floors or apartment carpets may be they’ll always feel cold and uninviting until you layer on an area rug or two.

Area rugs instantly add life, texture, and personality to your apartment. Not only do they help define rooms in open floor apartments but they also keep noise down and really make the entire place feel finished.

Oh — and by picking machine washable rugs, you won’t have to worry about upkeep either. Dirt. Dust. Pet hair. Kids spill. Toss your rug in the washer and call it a day. No trips to the dry cleaners. No stress.

When choosing rugs try to:

Stick to neutral colors that will match your existing furniture
Pick flat-weave area rugs or low pile rugs for high traffic areas
Choose a large rug that can really anchor the room

You’d be surprised how much of a difference a single area rug can make to an apartment. Pick a nice rug that fits your interior style and it can make even a super cheap apartment look expensive.

Lighting Makes A Huge Difference

Need we say more?

If your apartment only has harsh overhead lighting it’s going to feel flat and uninviting. Swapping out those bulbs for warmer toned lighting — and layering in LOTS of lighting — is a simple change that can make a world of difference.

Some ideas:

Floor lamps in every corner with warm light bulbs
Table lamps on your nightstand and side tables
LED light strips behind the TV or under floating shelves
Battery operated puck lights inside dark closets

Doesn’t have to be anything crazy. You shouldn’t need to rewire anything. Just try to create layers of light at different elevations throughout your apartment.

You’ll notice a HUGE difference.

Hang Some Wall Art & Mirrors

Empty walls are boring.

Even if you’ve lived in your apartment for years it’ll feel like you just moved in if your walls are bare.

Wall art is one of the easiest ways to add personality to your pad. Don’t have much artwork? Hang some mirrors. Mirrors are awesome because they bounce light around the room and make your space feel larger.

Just a few tips:

Hang art with command strips instead of nails
Create a gallery wall with a bunch of small frames
Put mirrors opposite windows to maximize light
Stick with a color scheme so it doesn’t get too busy

Wall art and mirrors don’t have to be expensive either. Head to your local thrift store. Search Facebook marketplace. There are tons of cheap options out there.

You can even print your own art these days.

Add Cool Textiles & Soft Furnishings

Couch pillows, blankets, curtains. That’s where it’s at.

Textiles are one of the easiest apartment upgrades you can make. Swap out boring builder-grade curtains for actual curtains that reach from ceiling to floor. Throw a knitted blanket over your sofa and suddenly it looks styled.

Here’s what that looks like:

Hang floor-to-ceiling curtains instead of blinds
Get some cushy throw pillows in 2-3 colors that match
Add a soft blanket to throw on the couch

Play with texture too. Throw a linen pillow down next to a cotton one. Mix in a chunky knit blanket. Textures add depth which will make your apartment feel more curated.

Plants Are Your Friend

Raise your hand if you love house plants.

Seriously though. Don’t underestimate the power of some plants in your apartment.

They look great on shelves, window sills, desks, and tables. If you’re low on time and money go cheap on the plants and spend money on high-quality faux plants.

Either way plants + greenery are a simple upgrade that will make your place feel awesome.

Kitchen & Bathroom Aren’t Forgotten

Kitchens and bathrooms are often overlooked when people redo their homes.

Simple things you can do to upgrade your kitchen and bathroom:

Kitchen:

Get a matching set for your sink soap dispenser
Add a rug in front of your kitchen sink
Replace open storage with matching containers

Bathroom:

Upgrade your shower curtain
Throw down a bamboo bathroom mat
Complete your bathroom with a set of matching towels and a soap dispenser

Small details like these really help tie the whole room together. Your kitchen and bathroom will feel extra stylish once you layer in these small upgrades.

How To Maximize Impact On Your Budget

Renters always have to be mindful of their budget.

According to Houzz’s latest renovation trends study, 54% of homeowners completed a renovation project in 2024. Renters have to be smarter about where they spend their money.

Here’s what you should do:

Focus on upgrading one room at a time. Start with the room you spend most of your time in.
Pick one or two areas of the room to upgrade.
Try to only buy things that you can take with you to your next apartment.
Shop used before buying new wherever possible.

There’s no need to upgrade your entire apartment in one weekend. Pick the highest impact areas and focus on those first. Spread the upgrades out over a couple of weeks and before you know it your place will feel like a completely different apartment.

Wrapping Things Up

Apartment upgrades shouldn’t cost a fortune. Nor do they have to take forever.

Throw down some area rugs. Add better lighting. Hang some art. Upgrade your textiles.

To summarize:

Layer on some affordable washable area rugs
Get rid of horrible lighting and replace it with warmer lights
Hang art and mirrors on empty walls
Upgrade textiles like your curtains, throw pillows, and blankets
Add some indoor plants and greenery
Don’t forget to upgrade a few small things in kitchen and bathroom

Stop going apartment to apartment feeling like something’s missing from your home.

These upgrades will make any apartment feel awesome. Plus every single upgrade on this list is something you can take to your next apartment when it’s time to move.

Rizz Line Love

Apartment Glow-Up: Simple Upgrades That Make a Big Difference

Why Apartment Upgrades Are Worth It