There are a lot of ways to keep cabin fever at bay during a snowstorm, and crafting up apartment decor is definitely one of them.
America (especially the East Coast), we hear you: It's really cold out there. The snow continues to fall, the temperatures are plummeting and you're longing for patios, warm weather and not having to bundle up so much. However, coming up with great ideas to keep your apartment looking nice and cozy will make getting snowed in not so bad after all!
Not only will these projects help pass the time on those dreary winter evenings, but you can stay productive and increase the value of your apartment, which is sure to make your landlord happy.
Here are some great apartment decor ideas for renters who love the do-it-yourself aesthetic:
Add Some Flair to Your Bookcases
Bookcases have a practical purpose, but there's no reason why they don't deserve a little extra attention along with your other furniture. For instance, you can add patterned paper along the shelf backings for some extra pizzazz or, if you're feeling really adventurous, you can try your hand at painting your bookcases! A little splash of color can go a long way in an otherwise "blah" room.
In fact, painting your furniture in general is an easy way to sprinkle some of your colorful personality into the apartment, especially if your landlord is particularly stringent about what you can and can't paint.
Make your Own Knobs and Pulls
Not a huge fan of those kitchen cabinets? All it takes is a quick trip to the home goods store and a few crafting supplies, and you can make your very own cabinet knobs and pulls.
You can make these as flashy or muted as you like, but custom-made knobs add a lot of character into a kitchen, which is a room that tends to get ignored when it comes to apartment decor.
Use Vintage Necklaces to Tie Back Your Curtains
Your landlord might not let you change out the curtains, but that doesn't mean you can't spruce them up a bit. Take a cue from Buzzfeed and find some inexpensive vintage rhinestone necklaces while you are out shopping. Then, use them to tie back your curtains. This adds a lot of sparkle to your living room or bedroom without going overboard.
Frame Pieces of Fabric
If you can't shell out the big bucks for purchased art or aren't much of a painter, head to your local fabric store and pick up a pattern that you like for a fraction of the price. Simply tie the fabric around a frame and hang it like you would a poster or painting. Your guests will never know you spent less than $20 for such beautiful wall decor.
Hang Clipboards Instead of Picture Frames
Mashable shared the brilliant idea of hanging clipboards instead of picture frames. These can serve a practical purpose, such as posting a grocery list or a list of to-dos in the kitchen. However, we love the thought of clipping some of your favorite photos to the clipboards in areas like your bedroom or living room. Not only do these add a wonderful personal touch to your apartment decor, but they are also quite easy on your wallet.
Ribbon Your Lampshades
Better Homes and Gardens came up with this quick and easy craft that adds a beautiful splash of color to those boring white and beige lampshades. Simply pick up ribbon(s) in whichever hue(s) you prefer at your local craft store.
Next, tie the ribbon around the top or bottom of the lampshade and secure the ends in a knot. You can add some hot glue if you really want to make sure the ribbon is secure.
Use Wine Corks to Create Wall Art
A lot of wine aficionados like to collect the corks for the bottles they've enjoyed. Why not use these corks to create one-of-a-kind wall art to showcase all of the varietals you've sipped on this winter?
All you need is an adhesive to fasten the corks to one another and some wall hooks. If you like, you can even use polyurethane for an extra glossy feel.
Make a Paintbrush Vase
Country Living blogger Camilla Fabbri came up with an adorable idea of using your old paintbrushes to create a stunning vase. All you need to do is grab a vase, wrap two rows of plain rubber bands around the vase.
Then, one by one, slide the paintbrushes inside of the bands until the paintbrushes completely surround the vase. This is going to look quite gorgeous on your kitchen table once spring rolls around and your vase is full of seasonal blooms!
Hide Your Wireless Router in an Old Hollowed-Out Book
Do you have an old hardback book that's completely falling apart? Kill two birds with one stone by hollowing out the book so just the frame is left. Then, simply slide your router inside and rest other knick-knacks on top.
Let's face it: Routers aren't the prettiest of electronics, and this is a very clever idea to hide away this common eyesore.
There you have it! With a little creativity, a few hours and maybe a little elbow grease, you can create your very own handmade apartment decor with ease.