Contributed by Jennifer Andrews, Catalogs.com Top 10 Guru

Moving into your own apartment can be a perfect opportunity to get creative with decorating plans.

Although most apartments are much smaller with fewer rooms than houses or townhome units, they can also be cozy and more cost-efficient. Make your apartment a place to call home with the following top ten apartment decorating ideas.

10. Painting

Many apartment landlords are flexible when it comes to decorating your space and may give you permission to paint. Try adding a pop of color to an apartment by painting one wall a bright, bold color to liven up its look.

9. Wall hangings

Wall hangings are one of the top apartment decorating ideas to try out. You can get a lot of drama at a good price, and fill your space with color. Choose something very modern, or go traditional with medieval designs or Tuscan landscapes. Add art pieces or wooden signs that say “welcome home” to your entryway.

8. Shelves

Shelves help save space and can be used to de-clutter apartment rooms such as the bedroom or living room. Add a wall shelf to a corner of the living room to deposit books, trinkets and miscellaneous papers.

7. Cushions

Add sophistication to a sofa or chaise lounge chair by purchasing matching cushions to arrange in the center and the ends. If you’re really bold, go for a striking, contrasting color such as white on black or yellow on blue.

6. Plants

Decorate your apartment with small plants that won’t take up too much space but still help to freshen up the place and add a home-y quality. If you don’t have a green thumb, or aren’t home enough to take care of plants, add some silk greenery to add texture to your apartment.

5. Candles

Adorn shelves, mantles and tabletops with lightly-scented candles to add a romantic and peaceful quality to an apartment. An aromatherapy candle will fill your space with mood-enhancing scents.

4. Rugs

Avoid messy entry-ways or porches in a small space by putting a patterned rug on the floor in front of the door or running down a narrow hallway. Guests and owners can then remove their shoes without tracking dirt around.

3. Re-purposed furniture

Old furniture that is worn out or damaged can be re-purposed for a vintage and refined look, adding style to your apartment. Try painting old tables and staining old cabinets or recovering worn chairs with a soft linen fabric.

2. Storage bins

Storage bins can help apartment owners organize belongings into one neat and safe area. Plastic storage bins can be purchased in various colors that can hold magazines for the living space or easily hidden under beds or in closets.

1. Mirrors

Decorative mirrors can be used to help open and widen up a space in your apartment by reflecting light. Experiment by adding a white lacquer or bamboo mirror above a sofa or entryway to your home.