7 Decorating Ideas: How to Decorate an Apartment Without Renovating

In other articles, we always say that in design it is better to underdo it than overdo it. If the result is too simple, you can always add accents after the remodel. So let’s see how to do that.

1. Floor Lamps

The best accent is light, and the best accessory is a light fixture. This is a golden universal rule. But once the remodel is finished and all the wiring is in place, there are not many connection options. Floor lamps come to the rescue – they plug into an ordinary outlet. That is why this type of light is so common in the U.S. People move often and live in rentals, taking their personal belongings, furniture, and… light with them.

When people say “floor lamp,” they usually imagine something like this:

But in reality, there are now many great contemporary options that can genuinely be the star of an interior:

industrial-style floor lamps in the interior

2. Solid-Color LED Strip

An LED strip is not exactly a light fixture, but it is still a serious weapon. Unfortunately, many people use LED strips incorrectly, choosing multicolored versions and turning the apartment into a colorful store display. Three rules:

Only a solid-color strip in a neutral color.
The strip is a hidden light source. The LEDs themselves should not be visible.
It should preferably shine on a three-dimensional, uneven surface.

3. Vanity Mirror

Continuing the topic of light. Everyone has mirrors in the apartment. At the very least, you should have a full-length mirror in the entryway to glance at yourself before leaving. And a makeup mirror in the bedroom – how could you do without one? Both mirrors can be upgraded with a frame of bulbs. Or you can have one custom-made or buy one ready-made and put it somewhere new. Well, why not? Are we worse than the stars?

4. Audio Equipment

Equipment can and should be beautiful. And almost all audio equipment looks both stylish and intentional. Speakers, amplifiers and receivers, and record players will work. With the last one, even the records themselves look very stylish.

Large speakers work in a living room. If you have a sophisticated ear, a hi-fi system will naturally be expensive. But there are options that sound only so-so yet look gorgeous and cost little. For example, some budget floor-standing speakers cost around $200 and look great – over three feet tall. Why not use them as an accessory?

Inexpensive large speakers for the living room

5. Paintings

Obvious, but it works. For contemporary design styles, it is better to choose colorful abstractions – they do not become boring and have the lowest probability of not fitting the style. Canvas-printing services are now common, so if uniqueness and the artist’s own hand do not matter to you, why not?

6. Pillows

Changing furniture or even its upholstery is expensive, but you can buy or order several colored pillows without going broke. It is best to choose muted, unsaturated pastel colors and then support them in other textiles. We have already explained how to combine colors in an interior.