How to Decorate Your College Apartment on a Budget

By Alyssa Laffitte on August 16, 2017

This article is brought to you by CORT Furniture Rental. We take the hassle out of furnishing your new place so you can do more important things like read this article. Learn more about why furniture rental is the best way to get a great looking apartment.

One of the most exciting things about going to college is finally having your own space to decorate. It’s fun to dream about what your future apartment will look like. However, it can be difficult to make that dream a reality when you are on a tight, college student budget and have to deal with all the other expenses that come with moving.

Here are some ways to decorate your apartment on a college student budget.

Image via isorepublic.com

Rent your furniture, don’t buy it

Furniture rental is a great way to save money while decorating your college apartment. There are multiple companies that will allow you to rent furniture for a low price. This a good option especially if you are planning to move back to your hometown after college because you can just return the furniture; you won’t have to drag it with you or worry about re-selling it.

If you are considering renting furniture, check out CORT, a company that will rent you furniture for your home and office! (Plus, they offer special deals for students and if you are moving, they will help you move your furniture, too.)

Check out flea markets and yard sales

Flea markets and garage/yard sales are great places to find cheap, yet beautiful furniture and decoration pieces. Keep your eyes open for any signs advertising these sales. When you see one, go check it out! You never know what you’ll find. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t find anything you like, though. Sometimes these sales can be a hit or miss. Still, it’s definitely worth a try.

Scour the Internet for good deals

Pinterest has ads for great furniture pieces at low prices. Look at these ads to see if you can get a good deal. You can also check out Craigslist to see if people are selling a piece you would be interested in. This is tough because you might have to sift through many pieces you aren’t interested in, but it’ll be worth it if you do find something you like for a low price.

Get creative … make your own decorations!

Similar to the last point, you can use Pinterest to give you some ideas on how to make your own decorations! You don’t even have to buy expensive materials to make decorations with. Walmart, the Target $1 bin, or even the dollar store should have cute, cheap things you can work with to create something unique for your living space. (Personally, when I spent the summer in a dorm, I just used a string and clothespins to hang up some pictures. It made the space feel so much more personal, and it barely cost anything.)

Don’t go overboard, keep it simple

Many college students tend to go overboard with the decorations for their apartment, especially if it’s their first one. Resist the temptation to buy furniture and decoration you don’t need just because they are cute! It’s better to keep things simple and minimalistic than to buy a bunch of pieces you won’t use.

Decorating your lovely little college apartment doesn’t have to empty out your wallet! Renting furniture rather than buying it, buying at flea markets, checking out online ads, and making your own decorations will help you have a beautiful apartment without going over budget.

Looking for an easy way to furnish your off-campus apartment? Renting furniture from CORT saves you time and money. See how easy it is to get great looking furniture without breaking the bank.

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