30 Decorating Mistakes Apartment Dwellers Make

Unless you’ve taken copious measurements and photos, you won’t know what you need in your new space until you’ve spent some time living in it. While it’s tempting to move in with a truckload of furniture, the perfect pieces (like this sofa and its accessories) are worth the wait — and it’s worth making a trip to see them in person instead of stocking up online.

Hanging a rod and curtains like these isn’t much more difficult than putting a picture on the wall. If you’re a renter, consider asking your landlord if he or she will assist you with an upgrade like this, as future tenants will enjoy the hardware, too. (Psst: Hang that curtain rod high, and make sure your curtains hit the floor.)

Though many tenants receive firm instructions to leave their spaces unpainted, reaching for a brush isn’t the only way to add color and character to a room. Removable wallpaper is a chic and stylish way to give your space a quick and easy design upgrade.

Giving your furry friend a discreet place to go — whether it’s tucked in a cabinet or utility closet or enclosed in a customized piece of furniture — is a win-win-win (for him or her, you and visitors). No one wants to do their business in mixed company.