More people rent than own these days and decorating a rental on a budget can be a struggle, especially when landlord restrictions make it hard to really make your apartment feel like home. I’ve come up with a variety of budget-conscious design tactics you can use to make your current pad look like the home you’ve always dreamed of, even if it’s just a temporary space. You don’t have to spend a fortune to make an impact on your décor. With these temporary design fixes, your friends will be oohing and ahh-ing over your home in no time.

Secondhand Furniture

Furnishing an apartment can be a tricky task, especially for those of us watching our wallets. One easy way to save money? Never shop for new furniture, and focus your efforts on tracking down secondhand items that will fit your personal décor aims just as well—sometimes even better! Check out local flea markets, canvas your neighborhood for garage sales and estate sales, and consider looking at lower-end antique stores. One man’s trash is another’s treasure, and oftentimes a good cleaning or a couch cover can transform a beaten down sofa into the highlight of your living room. 

Handle Hardware

You can customize your cabinetry without making any irreversible changes by simply switching out pulls and knobs around your home. This will give a customized facelift to pretty much any room—think kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanity, and closet doors for starters. If you’ve got a handle or knob, you can easily replace it.

Light Fixtures Matter

One easy way to spruce up your apartment is to switch out sterile old light fixtures and give your house or apartment a touch of elegance. Whether you go classic with an intricate chandelier that will catch the eye of anyone who enters your home, or choose a modern appeal with clean, straight lines, the effects of changing your light fixtures will be felt throughout the entirety of your home.

Art Décor

Brighten up your walls with art of your choosing. If you’re looking for nice art with a nice price tag, consider something from Society6, which sells prints of some of the most popular original art pieces. If you really want to make your art stand out, get it personalized . You can choose something with your family name, find an image of a special sports moment you remember, or think of any other way you’d want to put your individual spin on a canvas for a stunner that will really make your place uniquely you.

Wallpaper is your Friend

You might shirk away from wallpaper, but this décor trend has come a long way since the hideous (ahem, I mean classic) styles of the 1970s. Plus, it’s no longer permanent! Temporary wallpaper is in, folks, and you can find it in a million styles and patterns. Whether you want sheen gold walls or a simplistic pattern that will give your apartment that luxurious spa feel, these wallpaper options are easily peeled off the wall and leave no damage—say hello to your security deposit when you decide to move on. Another bonus: the quality brands of removable wallpaper don’t lose their cohesion abilities, meaning you can reapply to another wall in your next home.

Textile Wonders

Use textiles to bring an extra element of “you-ness” to your apartment or rental home. From throw pillows to blankets draped strategically over your new secondhand couch, you can insert color, texture, and patterns that best reflect your personal style. You’d be amazed at the difference these simple additions can have on the entire vibe of your home.

The Best of Nature

What’s your favorite flower? Now take that answer, and incorporate it into your home décor. This is one of the easiest, most transportable décor tactics you can use if you’re temporarily renting. Not only do plants look modern and breathe some life back into any space they adorn, but they also provide health benefits and are purported to increase mental cognition and performance.

Just because you’re renting doesn’t mean your home shouldn’t reflect the best of you and serve as your oasis. Incorporate these tips into your design scheme—your wallet will thank you and you’ll have the home you’ve always dreamed of.