Dollar Store Apartment Decor: 20 Cheap Diys for Renters That Look Expensive — Ideas You’ll Love

Ready to turn your apartment into a high-end haven without the high-end budget? I’m talking dollar store magic—simple, renter-friendly upgrades that look luxe and won’t risk your deposit.

Walk with me room by room as we style 20 complete, distinct designs that feel custom, chic, and totally doable in a weekend. You’ll see how a little peel-and-stick, a splash of gold paint, and clever layering can transform every corner.

1. Parisian Black & Gold Studio Glam

This studio sparkles with a classic black-and-gold palette and a touch of Paris. Spray paint dollar store frames gold, swap a plain lamp shade for black, and layer a faux-velvet throw made from thrifted scarves.

Top your side table with faux marble contact paper, add a mirrored tray with taper candles, and hang black-and-white city prints. Voilà—instant chic.

2. Coastal Chill Living Room

Think airy whites, soft blues, and sandy textures. Wrap a simple lamp base in natural rope, fill glass vases with shells, and use woven placemats as wall art for that breezy beach vibe.

Clip sheer curtains with Command rings, toss in striped pillow covers, and place a light wood-look tray on the coffee table. It’s a seaside escape without leaving home.

3. Desert Boho Bedroom

Warm terracotta, rust, and cream set the tone. Create a headboard illusion with washi tape in a geometric pattern, and style baskets as nightstand storage.

Dress your dresser in wood-grain contact paper, tuck in faux pampas stems, and layer textured throws. It’s cozy, earthy, and mood-boosting.

4. Modern Minimalist Entryway

Streamlined and striking, this entry uses a slim console made from stacked storage cubes and a painted plank. A black-rim mirror anchors the wall.

Use matte Command hooks for bags and hats, add a tiny succulent, and keep a catch-all tray for keys. Clean lines, zero clutter.

5. Moody Library Nook

Create drama with deep green felt paper lining the back of a bookcase, instantly setting a sophisticated mood. Cover bright book spines with kraft paper and label in gold pen for a curated look.

Add clip-on LED puck lights, frame vintage prints, and style a ceramic bust. It’s cozy, intellectual, and undeniably luxe.

6. Glam Bathroom Refresh

We’re going full hotel spa. Decant cotton rounds and bath salts into apothecary jars, and set a mirrored vanity tray near the sink.

Upgrade counters with marble contact paper, hang a crisp white shower curtain, and swap plastic soap bottles for glass pumps. Instantly elevated, renter-safe, and sparkling.

7. Scandinavian Breakfast Kitchenette

Light, bright, and functional. Dress a small table in light oak contact paper, stack white ceramic mugs on a metal cooling-rack shelf, and add a sprig of faux eucalyptus.

Keep lines simple: striped runner, black utensil canister, and clean open shelves. The look is warm minimalism with morning sunshine vibes.

8. Urban Jungle Living Room

This room is all about lush layers with zero maintenance. Hang faux trailing vines from a tension rod and S-hooks, and cluster terracotta-painted plastic planters for texture.

Ground it with a jute-look rug and cane-style placemats in frames. The city meets the rainforest—and you don’t have to water a thing.

9. Vintage Movie Night Den

Black-and-white nostalgia with modern comfort. Frame old film posters, drape a plush throw, and set up a popcorn bar with labeled jars.

Create a marquee moment using string lights and stick-on letters above the TV. It’s cinematic, cozy, and perfect for Friday nights in.

10. Art Deco Home Office

Think jewel tones and metallic details. Cover a corkboard with teal velvet fabric, add gold-trimmed frames, and tape a geometric border around your desk using thin metallic washi.

Style a “lucite” tray with clear acrylic-look plastic, and tuck a mini brass desk lamp. Glam productivity, achieved.

11. Japandi Calm Bedroom

Neutral serenity with black accents. Hang bamboo placemats in a neat grid over the bed, add stoneware vases, and keep textiles soft and cream-toned.

Use black lanterns with LED puck lights, fold a linen-look throw at the foot, and keep surfaces minimal. Peaceful and pristine.

12. Cottagecore Dining Corner

Whimsy and warmth for a breakfast nook. Layer a floral tablecloth, lace doilies, and mismatched plates for a charming set.

Frame botanical prints, cluster mason jars with tea lights, and hang a basket wall. It’s storybook sweet and budget-friendly.

• Floral textiles for softness
• Mason jar lighting for glow
• Botanical art for nature

13. Industrial Loft Vibes

Steel, concrete, and warm wood tones. Wrap your coffee table in concrete contact paper, use wire cooling racks as wall organizers, and stash magazines in metal baskets.

DIY a cage-style “Edison” lamp with a pencil cup and string lights. Rough-and-ready style without actual exposed beams required.

14. Small Balcony Oasis

If you’ve got a tiny balcony, this is your moment. Lay an outdoor-looking rug using interlocking foam mats, string solar lights, and line the railing with planters.

Set a compact bistro table, add lanterns with LED candles, and throw on weather-safe cushions. Instant city retreat.

15. Color-Pop Tween Room

Bold and playful weaves through this space. Create a rainbow triangle mural with washi tape, stack cube storage with bright bins, and add a neon rope light around a mirror.

Top a desk with chalkboard contact paper for notes, and sprinkle in patterned pillows. It’s cheerful, creative, and totally Instagram-ready.

16. Monochrome Gallery Hallway

This hallway becomes a museum moment. Arrange black frames in a grid, mix in small round mirrors, and anchor it with a DIY runner made from stitched door mats.

Add matte black candleholders and a slim console for keys. Sleek, simple, and very “penthouse corridor.”

• Black frames for cohesion
• Mirrors for light
• Mat runner for texture

17. Rustic Farmhouse Kitchen

Country charm, renter-style. Create faux shiplap using peel-and-stick wood planks or foam boards, decant dry goods into mason jars, and label with chalk markers.

Layer wood-look shelves, hang a tea towel ladder using Command hooks, and keep greenery in tin planters. Cozy, organized, and endlessly welcoming.

18. Elegant Neutral Living Room

Layered textures in beige and cream take this space up a notch. Wrap the coffee table in marble contact paper, style a cluster of round mirrors, and add pillow covers in boucle and linen.

Slipcover a small ottoman using woven table runners and tuck in ceramic vases. Understated luxury, minimal effort.

19. Travel-Inspired Guest Room

Whisk guests away with a curated adventure vibe. Create a wall of framed map pages, stack “suitcase” side tables by wrapping boxes in faux leather paper, and place a globe on a tray.

Layer a crisp white duvet, add striped throws, and set an amenity basket with toiletries. Thoughtful and photogenic.

• Map wall for impact
• Faux suitcase table for charm
• Guest basket for hospitality

20. Luxe Bar Cart Corner

End the tour with a glam cocktail setup. Stack gold trays on a slim wire shelf to mimic a bar cart, corral glass decanters, and frame chic cocktail prints.

Add a puck-light “sconce” with a brass ring, and finish with a cut-glass ice bucket. Party-ready and Pinterest-perfect.

What ties all these looks together? Smart layering, easy renter-safe upgrades, and a focus on texture, lighting, and cohesive color. The dollar store becomes your design studio—just remember to prep surfaces, measure twice, and use removable adhesives so your space looks luxe now and stays deposit-friendly later.

Now, which room are you tackling first? Grab your contact paper, some Command strips, a can of gold spray paint, and let’s make it look expensive.