Apartment patio setup with outdoor string lights and compact seating

New Ways to Love (and Live In) Your Apartment This Year

January 7, 2026

A new year does something funny to the human brain: suddenly we want to reset everything—habits, routines, closets, lighting, maybe our entire personality. The good news? You don’t need to buy a house or start a major renovation to get that “fresh start” feeling.

Apartment living has its own kind of magic: less maintenance, more flexibility, and the chance to make a space feel uniquely yours—without breaking a lease or breaking the bank. Below are renter-friendly décor ideas, apartment “hacks,” and a few Mid-South tie-ins to help you fall back in love with your home base.

And yes—these work whether you’re in a Midtown vibe at Madison@McLean, living close to everything at Audubon Downs or The Ellington at Kirby, leaning into Collierville comfort at Signature at Schilling Farms, or soaking up Southaven serenity at Rocky Creek or Southcrest Lake.

1) Start with the easiest upgrade: lighting that doesn’t feel like a hospital

Overhead lighting can make even the cutest apartment feel… aggressively fluorescent. The fix is simple: layer your lighting.

Try this:

  • Add one warm floor lamp in the living room + one table lamp in the bedroom.
  • Swap bulbs to warm white (look for “soft white” on the label).
  • Use plug-in wall sconces (no wiring needed) to create a cozy vibe instantly.
  • Put lamps on a smart plug or timer so your home “welcomes you” when you walk in.

Apartment bonus: This makes small spaces feel bigger, calmer, and more intentional—especially in open living areas. Graham’s Lighting has a huge selection, if you want to shop local.

2) Peel-and-stick is your best friend (when used strategically)

You don’t need to wallpaper every wall like you’re filming a home makeover show. The secret is one statement area.

Renter-safe favorites:

  • Peel-and-stick wallpaper behind your bed as a headboard wall
  • Removable backsplash panels in the kitchen
  • Peel-and-stick vinyl tiles for a laundry nook or bathroom floor refresh
  • Removable window film for privacy + pretty light diffusion
  • Stick-on vanity lights for an apartment-friendly glow-up

Before you stick anything up: Always follow your community’s guidelines and test a small, hidden spot first. Use products labeled removable, apply to clean/dry walls, and remove slowly with gentle heat (like a hair dryer) to help prevent residue or paint damage at move-out.

3) Make your entry feel like a “landing zone,” not a dumping ground

If your keys, bags, and shoes instantly form a pile the second you walk in, you’re not messy—you just need a system.

Quick entry upgrades:

  • Command hooks for keys and dog leashes
  • Slim shoe rack or tray
  • Small basket for “daily carry” items (sunglasses, chargers, etc.)
  • A mirror near the door (makes spaces feel bigger and saves you from leaving with a rogue mascara streak)

This one change makes your apartment feel more put-together every single day.

4) Upgrade your walls without nails, drama, or damage

Blank walls can feel temporary—even if you love your place. You can fix that without touching a drill.

Zero-damage wall ideas:

  • Command strips for framed art and gallery walls
  • Leaning art on shelves or consoles (effortless and trendy)
  • Fabric wall hangings or tapestries (lightweight and cozy)
  • Picture ledges (mounted carefully) or freestanding bookshelves used as “art displays”

Memphis tip: Build a little “local wall” with neighborhood prints, city maps, or photos from Shelby Farms, Overton Park, the riverfront, or your favorite coffee shop.

5) The “soft upgrades” that make a home feel expensive

These are the upgrades people feel immediately—even if they can’t name them.

High-impact, low-effort swaps:

  • New shower curtain + matching bath mat
  • Coordinated hangers in the closet (seriously)
  • A larger rug than you think you need (this is always the answer)
  • Two sets of bedding: one “everyday,” one “I have my life together” set
  • Matching storage bins (visual peace is real)

If you’ve got hardwood floors (lucky you), rugs also add warmth and help with sound.

6) Storage hacks that don’t look like storage hacks

You want your place to function better—without turning it into a warehouse.

Smart apartment storage ideas:

  • Under-bed containers (seasonal clothes, extra linens)
    • Store seasonal clothing in your suitcases for even more space!
  • Over-the-door organizers for pantry items, cleaning supplies, or shoes
  • Ottoman or bench with hidden storage
  • Vertical shelving to use height instead of floor space
  • A rolling cart for small kitchens (coffee bar, snack station, “prep” space)

Rule of thumb: If it can be stored beautifully, you’ll actually keep it organized.

7) Make your balcony/patio feel like a mini getaway

Even a small outdoor space can become your favorite “room.”

Tiny patio glow-up:

  • Outdoor string lights (battery or plug-in)
  • Weather-friendly rug
  • Foldable bistro table or compact lounge chair
  • Planters with low-maintenance greenery
  • A blanket basket by the door for chilly evenings

This is a great way to lean into Memphis-area seasons—spring breezes, early summer nights, and those perfect fall weekends.

8) Sound + privacy upgrades for real-life apartment living

Apartments are shared ecosystems. You can keep things peaceful without spending a fortune.

Try:

  • Draft stoppers at doors
  • Thick curtains (also improves insulation)
  • Rugs + rug pads for sound dampening
  • White noise machine or fan for sleep
  • Bookcases against shared walls (bonus storage + sound absorption)

Your space should feel like a retreat, not a place where you learn your neighbor’s entire phone life.

9) A “home reset” routine that takes 10 minutes

The secret to loving your apartment long-term isn’t perfection—it’s the reset.

10-minute reset checklist:

  • Clear counters
  • Put dishes in the sink/dishwasher
  • Quick sweep of high-traffic areas
  • Fold throw blankets
  • One load of laundry started (future-you wins)

Do it once a day (or a few times a week) and your apartment stays “company-ready” without a full cleaning spiral.

10) Add a little local flavor (without clutter)

A space feels like yours when it tells your story. Local touches help—especially when you’re proud of where you live.

Simple Mid-South-inspired ideas:

  • A framed print of a favorite neighborhood spot
  • A thrifted statement piece from a local shop or antique mall
  • A candle scent that feels like “home” (clean linen, citrus, cedar, etc.)
  • A coffee/tea station that turns mornings into a ritual

Loving your apartment is allowed (and encouraged)

Apartment living isn’t a placeholder life. It’s real life—happening right now. And the more your space supports your routines, reflects your style, and feels welcoming when you walk through the door, the better everything else gets.

If a “fresh start” this year also includes a new address (or just a better fit), Makowsky Ringel Greenberg has communities across Memphis and the Mid-South, from Midtown to Collierville and down to Hernando in North Mississippi.

Explore available apartments, schedule a tour, and find a space that fits your life this year.

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