The 2 Tiny Tweaks That Made My New Apartment Instantly Feel Like a Home

Welcome to Rental Sweet Rental, our series of home hacks and tiny tweaks that can transform your rental space—without you having to worry about getting your deposit back. From semi-pro peel-and-stick tips to kitchen cabinet makeovers, we’ll show you how to make even a rental feel like home.

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If you live in New York City, Brooklyn, or any other busy city, you probably understand the challenges of living in a smaller apartment. After four years in New York and moving almost every year, Lucas (my boyfriend) and I decided it was time to find a place we’d want to stay in for at least a few years.

Despite the limited space, especially when it comes to storage, this apartment has plenty of perks that leave me little room to complain. We live in the heart of Fort Greene—my dream location—right next to Greene Grape Provisions (if you know, you know). We have not one but two bathrooms (no explanation needed), and the apartment splits into three separate rooms, giving us much-needed space during football season.

Living in an older building adds charm, but it also comes with the need for upkeep, upgrades, DIY, and decor—tasks I’ve admittedly neglected. That is, until now,—because I've come to the conclusion that either I upgrade and stay, or accept the very real possibility of moving again. (The latter is not an option!) So I started small by moving furniture and adding decor. Here’s what I did:

In the Bedroom

For months, I’ve been dealing with a poorly assembled dresser that barely opens. When we moved in, we stupidly placed it on the opposite side of the closet, leaving less than a foot between the bed and the wall to squeeze through to get dressed every morning. Lacking the motivation to tackle it (mostly because the bedroom is too small to move the bed), I finally realized I could remove the drawers, slide the dresser across the bed, and push it into the closet. Now, it makes the closet feel custom.

Afterward, I hung a few paintings above the bed. Even though I might have hung them too high, they made the wall feel much less empty.

In the Bathroom

For some reason, I’ve never invested in a nice shower curtain—maybe it’s an age or budget thing—but I decided it was time. I ordered the Blooming Field Shower Curtain from Schoolhouse, once that I’d been eyeing for a while. I also love organizing my jewelry and miscellaneous items in small bowls and dishes, so I placed a pink Bathing Beauty dish on the toilet tank and filled it with jewelry and bobby pins. I also added new hand soap and a candle next to the sink.

These small (and budget-friendly, I might add) upgrades have already made me feel more content with our space, and who knows, maybe I’ll get into painting, wallpaper, or even crown molding next. Stay tuned.

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What tiny tweak has made your rental feel more homey? Tell me below!