Home Decor : Trends, Tips & Must-Have Items for Every Room

Real-Life Story: How Riya Transformed Her Tiny Apartment on a College Budget

Riya, a 21-year-old psychology student at NYU, faced a common dilemma: how to make her 300-square-foot rental apartment feel like home without breaking the bank or violating her lease terms.

The Challenge

• Tiny Space: A studio with beige walls, fluorescent lighting, and dated linoleum floors

• Strict Lease: No painting, nails in walls, or permanent changes

• Tight Budget: Only $200 to spend after tuition payments

Her Ingenious Solutions

1️⃣ Thrifted Furniture Makeover

• Scored a $20 wooden dresser from Facebook Marketplace

• Sanded and painted it in creamy white with chalk paint ($15)

• Added modern gold pulls ($10 from Amazon) for a luxe touch

2️⃣ Removable Wall Decals

• Found peel-and-stick botanical wall decals ($25 on Etsy)

• Created an accent wall behind her bed – zero damage!

• “They look like expensive wallpaper but come off cleanly!”

3️⃣ LED Lighting Magic

• Installed color-changing LED strip lights ($18) under her bed frame

• Used warm white for studying, soft pink for relaxing

• “My friends say it feels like a boutique hotel now!”

4️⃣ Bonus Space-Savers

• Foldable desk that mounts to the wall ($30)

• Floor cushions instead of bulky chairs ($12 at Target)

• Hanging shoe organizer repurposed for toiletries

The Stunning Results

Total spent: $190
Time invested: One weekend
Biggest win? “My landlord actually asked if she could show my apartment as an example to future tenants!”