Updated with current information for 2022
Just because you live in Ohio University rental housing doesn’t mean you’re condemned to a dump. Your apartment is where you’ll live your life and form many of your happiest college memories. Make it feel like home with these creative ideas on a budget.
Deck the Walls
The folks at the Huffington Post suggest removable wallpaper. Originally designed for movie sets, it has since trickled down to the rental market. Decorate the walls without kissing your housing deposit goodbye.
We have some tips for using removable wallpaper here.
Art Décor
You don’t have to be an art collector to decorate your Athens Ohio apartment like your own Louvre. Photocopied art, posters, post cards or magazine clippings look like they belong in a gallery with the proper framing. Umbra’s Document Frames start at $17.
Roll Out the Bar
You can fashion a pretty classy rolling bar from a cheap cart at your local hardware store. Paint the cart and add your own designs. Since it’s on wheels, the bar can easily be moved to wherever the party is.
Plants, plants, plans
Scientifically shown to improve productivity and general health, houseplants are much more than décor.
You can choose from all sorts of different shapes and sizes and colors, just roll with whatever works best for your time and needs. If you live close to campus, you can always pop into a plant biology lab and ask for some advice.
Get those windows open – and blinds closed
Windows are crucial to setting the mood in your apartment. A wide-open window in your apartment with a beautiful view during the day is nice, but getting to sleep at night is important, too. Make sure to purchase blackout curtains to keep the light out in the evening and improve your sleep quality.
And if you live with roommates like a two bedroom apartment, consider splitting the cost of some nice curtains for the living room. Not only does this improve the décor of your space, it keeps out light at night – great for watching movies, or just passing out.
Install a nice sound system
We’ve beat this point to a dead horse earlier, but that doesn’t make this information any less crucial. If you’re going to spend all that money getting a nice TV and gaming console, why not invest a little more into making sure the auditory experience for your expensive products is an enjoyable one?
And similar to the earlier point on curtains, having roommates, especially in large rentals with five or six bedrooms, means you can easily split the cost of those pricy speakers.
Following just a few of these tips can drastically improve your living space. Just be sure to be deliberate and thoughtful with how you decorate!