I need help with creative ideas to decorate an apartment on a budget!?

What are some easy, cheap ideas for furnishing and decorating an apartment (all rooms)? E.g. a coffeetable, beds, shelving. If these things can be made from recycled items and with do-it-yourself plans, even better!

Everything can be used as something it's not!For instance: a dresser in back of the couch can help seperate a lg. room by topping it with a small lamp,pictures etc. Wha-la! You now have a sofa table! Buy cheap cloth from the craft area of a store and cover old ugly cushions for throw cushions.
Hang drapes or curtains from the top of the wall to crate a long window look...hang them covering a wall with no windows to create the illusion and you might even put a large mirror behind them.
Use paint (I've even used roofing tar) to create a new cabinetry look. Put a green plant in each room to make it feel "airy". In a very small area you don't have to use very small furniture- that accentuates the size. Use overstuffed for a comfortable cozy look. If you need storage..consider using a trunk,footlocker,or hopechest for a coffee table...it's a great place to store blankets and such.
The bathroom sometimes is to small for shelves..use a basket and roll your towels for a spa look. Shower liners can be in your tub while you can hang a real curtain slit up the middle 3/4 of the way to add a fresh look without buying a $40. curtain! I'm queen of cheap, make-do, type of decorating. I get so many compliments and nothing I do to my home cost any more than what I spend on lunch. Have a good time. Oh- 1 more thing!...If you need "real artwork"...close your eyes and paint with your colors on a canvas...that's what my little boy and I did to make our garage sale furniture match our crappy apt. and it looked like a magazine picture when we were done.

It's hard to beat what Rebecca said, but go to a Home depot or a library and look over the home decorating magazines for ideas. Report Abuse

I liked the answers from Barbara, Sunshine and Rebecca - these ladies have good ideas.

Another place where you can look for inexpensive furniture is Goodwill. You can always paint old, beat up furniture in the same color to make everything blend together nicely.
While at Goodwill, check out what they have in vases, wine glasses, glass or china bowls and mirrors.

Inexpensive curtains, posters and plants can make an apartment look very welcoming. Check Walmart for inexpensive fabric for table runners, pillow covers and window coverings.

Happy decorating

Pick a theme that you like that makes you feel good. Whether it is color or a style. What do you have? Start from one favorite piece's you have collected or a favorite picture. Go off of the colors that are in the favorite piece. In my bathroom I have 4 shelves that are set into the space between 2 studs. I painted the area with one of those sprayed stone finishes. Also spray painted a wall shelf the same. I collect old miniture perfum bottles. I put them on the shelves. I painted the room a taupe with white on the woodwork. Bought a taupe colored cloth shower curtain. Added taupe colored ribbon with beads to the bottom of window shade and found a fancy taupe colored scarf from my mom to use as a window topper. The room has an elegant look and showcases my collection.


Also go to hgtv's web site and look at some of the show's. They have great ideas.

I just bought a beautiful beige couch and two accent armless chairs big enough for 2 on Craig's List for 100 dollars. I also got a huge area rug like brand new for $15. Look under furniture, household, general, collectibles, free, and antiques. I also go to the Goodwill store, honks, dollar tree, and used stores. I too have curb shopped in NC, best time is right before dark the day before trash day. Got love seats, couches, baby car seats, flower pots and dressers and chairs. Check under Yahoo groups and see if they have a free cycle in your area.

I don't know where you live but if you live in an area with a lot of tourism and hotels . When they redecorate those hotels there are companies that will go out and buy the old stuff and then resell for a really cheap price. I know for a fact that there is one guy in Vegas and one guy in Phoenix that bus up that stuff.
Some of the big hotels had some of this stuff made just for the hotel .

I personally like the thrift store. They have loads of retro stuff and you can get it really cheap. Flea markets are another source of good stuff cheap

garage sales, flea markets, and auctions!! clearance racks at department stores!! and ask some friends or family for some older furniture/dishes n decor that im sure they have sitting around !! we all have stuff were not using and would gladly give away!!!

Go to hgtv.com. Click on design on a dime & you'll find all kinds of ideas. They have all the decorating shows there, with tons of videos, pics, etc, on cheap ways to redo your rooms, using up to the minute styles & trends.

I don't know where you live but when I lived in Key West I'd go out in my car, up and down the streets and would find pieces of furniture people had discarded.

Also, go on craigslist, there an area on there for 'free-stuff'.

Good Luck!

www.craigslist.org/about/cities.html