The 5-Minute Decorating Hacks That Will Totally Transform Your Apartment

Whether you’re decorating a new space you just moved into or looking to refresh your home’s aesthetic, it’s nice when you can get almost instant results. As a renter, you might think your options are limited, but you’d be surprised how easily (and quickly!) you can add personal touches to your rental. All you need is five minutes — really. 

“There are easy ways to make a big impact and help your space feel unique to you, even with limitations,” says Kim Dee, founder and principal designer of Kim Dee Designs, an interior design studio based in Mesa, Arizona. 

From swapping out switch plate covers to introducing plants to adding a lamp or two, these simple changes can transform your rental into a cozy and inviting oasis — and many of them require a time investment of about five minutes or less. Remember, decorating your apartment is about more than just making the space feel aesthetic; it’s an essential step in creating a warm, cozy environment that truly feels like home. 

Here’s how to get started. 

Transforming the look of a room in five minutes seems like a tall order, but once you have these materials in hand, you really can quickly make a swap.

The impact of throw pillows and blankets in a living room or bedroom can’t be overstated. Plus, they can be easily swapped out to give your space a quick refresh for each season — but this tip is about making whichever cover you slip on look its best

According to Lauren Saab, founder of Dallas-based interior design studio Saab Studios, selecting the right insert for your throw pillows is crucial to achieving a designer look, even on a budget.

“Swapping throw pillow covers is an easy refresh, but the insert is just as important. Flat, underfilled pillows drag down even the best upholstery. Use inserts two inches larger than the cover and fluff generously. It’s a five-minute fix that gives the whole room structure and presence,” she says.

Plants add instant visual interest and life to a space. Plus, there’s no need to transform your apartment into an indoor jungle (unless you want to!). A single, well-placed houseplant can completely transform a room. If you don’t have a green thumb, a realistic-looking faux plant can also do the trick. 

For those who love cooking and using fresh ingredients in the kitchen, Dee recommends adding a few potted herbs to your countertop, such as basil, thyme, mint, and rosemary. Just make sure to place them in front of a sunny window (or under a grow light), as herbs need plenty of light to grow indoors.

“Most rentals rely on a single harsh overhead fixture, but lighting should come from more than one source,” says Saab. 

She recommends starting with a sculptural floor lamp to ground the room, and layering in task lighting (for work surfaces or to highlight art) and accent lamps as needed. “All plug-in, all movable, no tools required. In five minutes, the room feels warmer, deeper, and more intentionally composed,” she adds.

On that note, don’t be afraid to swap out the lightbulbs that came standard in your unit, especially if they are cool-toned. You’ll be amazed at what a soft white or warm white lightbulb can do for the ambience and mood of your space. 

“Few details give away a rental faster than generic switch plates,” says Saab. This is especially true in older rentals, when they clearly haven’t been replaced in a while. Swapping out standard switch plate covers for decorative options is an underrated way to elevate the look and feel of your space — and it takes only a few minutes. 

“Replace them with plates that feel like miniature works of art, such as ceramic or patinated metal,” says Saab. “It takes five minutes, and the walls start to feel intentional rather than overlooked.”

If you’ve never done it before, all you need is a flathead screwdriver to remove the screw holding the cover in place and secure the new one. Even a butter knife will do if you don’t have tools on hand. Just remember to hang on to the original switch plate covers so you can swap them once your lease is up.

It’d be great if every change took about only five minutes, but if you want to carve out a little more time, you can take your room transformation to the next level with these simple tasks. Depending on the size of your space — and how quickly you can decide on things like rug or wall art placement — you could probably get these done in about 20 to 30 minutes.

Swapping out cabinet hardware is a simple, renter-friendly upgrade that can enhance the look of your space. Dee recommends checking out shops like Anthropologie for a selection of unique knobs and pulls at a great price point. 

The key here is to keep the original cabinet hardware so you can easily reinstall it before you move. Your landlord will be satisfied that things are in the same condition as when you arrived, and you’ll be able to bring your fancy cabinet hardware with you to your next space.

Rugs, rugs, rugs! Saab advocates for using rugs liberally throughout your rental to add character and warmth. Rugs can also be a great way to hide unappealing flooring.

“A bold runner layered right on top of basic flooring adds dimension, movement, and warmth. No install, no commitment, but the space immediately feels finished and designed, not just occupied,” she says.

There are plenty of damage-free ways to add some personality and charm to your apartment walls. Utilizing the vertical space in your rental for artwork and decor will instantly make it feel more inviting, intentional, and cozy, according to designers.

Command hooks and strips are a total game-changer if drilling holes is prohibited in your lease, and Dee recommends utilizing them to hang artwork, photos, and floating shelves. Even as a homeowner, I use Command hooks all the time since I enjoy redecorating often. Just make sure to grab the right ones for the item you want to hang, as each style of Command hook has a different weight capacity.

This post originally appeared on Apartment Therapy as part of the Start Here Guide for renters, presented by GEICO. See it there: The 5-Minute Decorating Hacks Designers Want Every Renter to Try