These Simple DIY Apartment Upgrades for Renters Are a Game Changer

From making decorative wall sconces to sheer curtains, these simple hacks will instantly elevate your apartment – and could not be easier to execute.

If you live in a rental apartment, you're likely familiar with the frustrations of not being able to make the changes you want to your surrounds. There are obviously limits to renting, one of which is that you can't renovate. But that doesn't mean you can't update some things and make your space feel like a home.

We turned to stylist and home DIY aficionado Loui Burke for some ideas to upgrade your abode. The talented stylist has made over his inner-city rental with neutral tones and natural textures aplenty and he has plenty of ideas for how you can elevate your space.

"I love making beautiful things and the challenges that come with that. I love working within budgets and briefs. And I especially love to share what I find along the way with anyone and everyone. No gatekeeping here!" he shares with Bed Threads Journal.

1. Quality bedding

A non-negotioable for Loui when it comes to upgrading a bedroom is good bedding. "It instantly makes any bedroom feel elevated. Invest in the linen over an expensive bed frame. You use it everyday and you take it with you wherever rental you move to," he shares.

2. Add sheer curtains

It's not uncommon to live in a rental that has less-than-desireable window treatments. In this video Loui talks us through making affordable DIY sheer curtains. The beauty of sheers is they allow make the most of the natural light and create a bright and soft feeling while still maintaing your privacy. "Sheer curtains do wonders!"

A good tip to make a space look bigger is to hang the curtains from the top of the ceiling to the bottom, even if the windows are that big.

3. Decorative wall sconces

Lighting is so important for setting the mood in your home and this affordable hack is one of our absolute favourite DIY videos from Loui. These beautiful ceramic-look sconces look much more expensive than they are, require no wiring, and can easily be taken down as soon as you're lease is up – genius!

4. Hotel towels

If you want to give your home that subtle hotel-feel, turn your attention to how you fold your towels. This technique is great for keeping them all neatly together and not falling apart.

5. Set the table

"When friends come round, set your table. It instantly makes any dining nook feel special," Loui shares. In making an effort to set the table beautifully you will set the tone/feeling that people have about being together.

6. Showcase your nice items on surfaces like your coffee table

Dressing your coffee table beautifully is an easy way to take your living room from ‘good’ to ‘great’. The secret to stepping your coffee tablescape up several notches is to focus on its core components. Unsure how to style it? Loui has six ideas for you to follow.

7. Switch out handles

If you want to refresh your kitchen or bathroom you can do so very easily by switching out the tired old handles for some new sets. Etsy, Facebook Marketplace, or secondhand/thrift stores have a lot of great options for those on a budget. Don't forget to keep hold of the old handles in case you need to put them back when you leave.

8. Change out your rental toilet seat for a soft close

Your toilet will never be the most glamorous item in your home, but you can definitely make it look better and feel more fancy by replacing the toilet seat. "It's awkward and maybe not an aesthetic video but its true and I do it at every rental I move into haha!"

9. Make it smell beautiful

Scent is a powerful tool that can affect our mood and make us feel nostalgic, uplifted, or relaxed. "Scented candles and diffusers instantly amp up any space," says Loui. It will set the tone for your home and make it feel personal.

10. Use rugs

Rugs are a great way to cover floors you don't like, make a space feel more cosy, and help zone different areas of the home. A rug can cover all manner of sins, which means you can hide any unsightly stains or weird-covered carpets. But they’re also a way of adding a non-permanent design element to a room.

11. Create an indoor jungle

We all know the addition of some greenery into a room can instantly transform and uplift a space. In fact, it's one of the easiest and practical ways to update your home that is not only budget-friendly but also landlord-approved. Here, Loui shares some of his favourite low-maintanence plant options.