Renting an apartment sometimes feels less permanent and homelike than owning a home. This doesn't have to be the case, however. Whether you own or rent your space, what really counts is what you do with it. It's always possible to transform your environment and make it feel more like your own personal space. Of course, with a rental, you must be careful about abiding by your rental agreement and not make changes that will cause you to lose your security deposit. Here are three design tips to turn your apartment into a home.

Customize the Lighting

The lighting of your apartment is a crucial factor when it comes to creating the type of atmosphere you prefer. Don't rely on your apartment's basic overhead lighting. Both floor and table lamps are a great way to provide additional light and control the brightness of a room. Whether you prefer a vintage lamp from an antique or thrift shop or a modern one from the mall, lamps help you customize your apartment. Bulbs also play a crucial role. In addition to getting the wattage that's right for a room, consider some colored bulbs to create the right mood. Use accent lighting to highlight certain features, such as a stylish piece of furniture, artwork, or perhaps a plant.

Install Attractive Window Treatments

If you're renting an apartment, you can't put in new windows. You can, however, add window treatments that make a big difference to the lighting and ambiance of the apartment. If your apartment has dismal or uninspiring blinds, the simplest solution is to install some curtains. Curtains also help you control the amount of natural light that enters your apartment. Choose styles and colors for your window treatments that complement your furniture and decor. You can buy curtains or create your own out of attractive materials from a fabric store, thrift shop, or online store.

Decorate the Floors with Area Rugs

Many apartments come with rather generic wall-to-wall carpeting. An easy way to customize your flooring is to add some area rugs. This is another feature where you have many options, such as modern, vintage, Persian, Chinese, or other styles of rugs. You can buy area rugs in department stores, antique shops, estate sales, and many other places. Whether you want large rugs that cover entire rooms or layer the rooms with smaller ones, this is an effective way to personalize your apartment. Another convenient feature of area rugs is that they're easy to move around, so you can experiment with different patterns and make changes whenever you feel like it.

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