Are you wanting to update the look of your apartment without breaking the bank? I love these 10 apartment DIY projects because they are easy to do, and most of them are super budget-friendly!
When I moved into my first apartment, I was not prepared for how expensive everything was going to be! Furniture, kitchen appliances, lamps, home decor items… Everything was so expensive. I’d always looked forward to decorating my own home and designing it exactly as I envisioned in my head. But the cost of everything made it difficult to go through with my decor dreams. That’s when DIY projects came in handy! It’s amazing how much you can actually make yourself.
In this blog post, we’re diving into DIY apartment ideas that can completely transform a space. The best part? They’re all budget-friendly!
This post is all about apartment DIY projects.
1. DIY Gallery Wall
Gallery walls are a beautiful way to add interest to a plain wall. What I love about gallery walls is that they are so easy to personalize. It’s entirely up to you what kind of pictures you want to display and what kind of frames you want to put them in. I always try to purchase picture frames second-hand. They are so easy to find in thrift stores, and there are usually lots of options. If you don’t like the color of a thrifted frame, you could always paint it at home.
When it comes to art prints for gallery walls, Etsy and Pinterest are great places to look. Just type in “gallery wall art”, and lots of options will come up. You could also use your own photos or paintings of course. Print out your pictures at home, or get them printed at a professional print shop if you want them on higher-quality paper.
2. DIY Customized Throw Pillows
Did you know it’s super easy to make your own throw pillows? All you need is some fabric, scissors, throw pillow inserts in your desired size, and fabric glue! If you own a sewing machine, that is even better than using fabric glue, but it’s not a necessity. Follow this simple tutorial to learn how! Throw pillows are a great way to change the look of the space without making huge changes.
3. Macrame Plant Hangers
Plants are a must-have in an apartment because they make the space look fresh and put together. You don’t have to have real plants – there are lots of faux plant alternatives that look super realistic out there. I love this macrame plant hanger idea to display smaller plants. Follow this tutorial by Macrameforbeginners to learn how to make your own.
4. DIY Framed Mirrors
How cute aren’t these framed mirrors? Similar to the gallery wall idea, this is a great way to repurpose old picture frames. Simply remove the photos and add mirrors instead. Make sure the mirror fits your picture frame perfectly, or have it cut to size. I was looking around on Amazon and found these self-adhesive, thin mirror tiles that would be perfect for this project.
5. DIY Shiplap Wall
Ah, shiplap walls have my heart! They instantly add personality to a blank wall. If you’re renting, be sure to talk to your landlord before doing any projects like this. It’s actually not that hard to install shiplap, but the boards can be expensive. If you want the look for less, check out this DIY tutorial on making a shiplap wall. Try adding it to one wall, paint it in a gorgeous color, and see how it completely transforms the space.
6. DIY Vases
It’s easy to upgrade a simple vase. If you have one laying around that you like the shape of but not the color or design, simply paint it. If you use chalky finish spray paint, it’ll give the vase a gorgeous finish. You could also try mixing paint with baking soda, and paint your vase with a paint brush. It’s probably going to need 2-3 layers of paint and it’ll be good as new! Check out this tutorial by Pine and Popular for a more in-depth guide.
7. Peel and Stick Tile
If you want to change up your floor or kitchen backsplash, try using peel-and-stick tiles. These beautiful green kitchen peel-and-stick tiles are heat-proof and durable. Peel-and-stick tiles come in A TON of different colors and patterns, and they are way cheaper than the real thing. You don’t need any fancy equipment to install them either, so it’s super easy. If you get tired of them, they are pretty easy to remove.
8. Update Old Furniture
I know, I know, it’s super tempting to go out and buy all the beautiful coffee tables and chairs from nice furniture stores. However, this can cost a TON of money (that we do not necessarily have). Having a DIY mindset when it comes to furniture changes the game. A lot of people sell old chairs, tables, and shelves on Facebook marketplace. Wooden furniture can easily be sanded down to be re-painted or re-stained, giving them a whole new look!
9. DIY Wall Art
You can easily create your own textured wall art at home using joint compound and a simple canvas! This can be a really fun DIY apartment project, and it will give you gorgeous art pieces that you can hang on your walls. It’s a pretty affordable way to get the high-end art look in your apartment.
10. DIY Dried Flower Decorations
If you want to have a decor piece that stays beautiful all year long, dried flowers are the thing for you. Flowers and plants instantly brighten up a space, and dried flowers are free if you pick them yourself during summer. Hang flowers from the ceiling in a well-ventilated space for a couple of weeks, and your flowers will be ready to be used as decor. If you have received cut flowers as a gift, don’t throw away the bouquet. Pick out the flowers that look good and hang them to dry! Some flowers dry more beautifully than others, so try drying different kinds to see which works the best!
Also, check out these gorgeous DIY pressed flower frames!
That was it! This post was all about apartment DIY ideas that can transform your space. I hope you found this post helpful. Have fun decorating your apartment! Looking for more inspo? Check out my other home decor blog posts here.
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