Low-lift ideas that actually make a difference.

Decorating your first apartment is beyond exciting, but it can also be a little daunting. Where to begin? Well, now that dorm life or living with your family is behind you, you can officially leave pinboards, stuffed animals, extra-long sheets, and mini-fridges in the past. Beyond those basics, there's a lot to learn. So whether you're a long-term renter who wants to make their apartment feel like a polished home or a first-time apartment dweller, you're in the right place. We compiled 24 crucial decorating lessons ranging from low-lift tips to major makeovers, all of which will ensure your first apartment looks 100 percent grown-up. But also still youthful, fun, and most important, "you."

Nothing uplifts a room like a vase filled with fresh flowers! Even if you're the only person who will see them, keeping an arrangement of fresh flowers in each room of the apartment will instantly make (and the space, of course), well ready to tackle the week ahead. Take a note from this bathroom by Anna Spiro Design and opt for flowers that speak to a print used in the design.

Designer David Frazier wanted to warm up and personalize the more generic bones of this New York City apartment, thus, making it feel more like a home. He accomplished this by customizing the window treatments and installing a modern sconce, both of which add dimension to the walls and cast a more flattering light.

Many railroad apartments have a center, windowless room that connects the front and back rooms and relies on them for natural light. So if you want to create separate zones or extra privacy, think of a solution that doesn't create the extra problem of blocking light and flow. Here, Shari Frances did just that with frosted glass sliding barn doors. They won't block light as much as an actual door and are definitely not sound-proofed, but they will enhance privacy.

In this open kitchen that's also the main living room and dining room, Heidi Cailier carved out distinct zones that still visually flow nicely together and don't overcrowd the room. She didn't sacrifice a dining table, but she did shrink it down to ensure that it doesn't cramp up the living area.

Simplicity in layout and color scheme can often be best in smaller spaces, as proven in this tiny New York City bathroom designed by Shawn Henderson. This formula (pretty shelves, matching hardware, and simple, high-end accessories) is also always an easy win in a rental. High-end brackets that match the hardware and other surfaces will keep it feeling consistent. Oh, and a fancy room spray is always a plus, too.

If you don't want to install sliding doors or it just isn't feasible in your apartment, consider placing a rod from wall-to-wall and then hang a separating curtain, as ETC.etera did here. In a studio, dividing your living and sleeping areas is the best way to make the place where you crash feel more like home. Get creative with room separators, opting for screens, benches, or even a tall bookcase.

You can make a small apartment work harder with just a few stylish items. And this is especially useful in a tiny entryway. Here, Tamsin Johnson Interiors chose two sculptural hooks for coats and bags, a slim and stylish basket for umbrellas, a chic accent chair for sliding in and out of shoes, and a mirror that dresses up the wall and also allows for last-minute touchups.

In this Chicago apartment, designer and occupant Devin Kirk built a home bar into a small closet niche. He made it pop by painting it Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball and a fabric skirt for extra storage and matching wallpaper on the back cubby wall. Being ready to entertain and prepping your space accordingly is an easy way to make your apartment feel all grownup.

Nothing shows you're adulting like window treatments that aren't made of paper or plastic. Design firm ETC.etera opted for striped Roman shades, but flowing curtains will also do the trick. Either way, the right window treatments will make your space feel more polished (and enable you to sleep in more!).

To make a rental feel more personal and homey, make your mark with a monogramed shower curtain, towels, or robe. Then add some artwork and decor to polish it off. Alexander Reid used a garden stool and filled all the blank surface space with a gallery wall.

Whether your entryway is also your kitchen, living room, and basically everything but the bathroom, or you have a few awkward transitional zones like landings and hallways throughout the apartment, don't overlook those little little corners and nooks. Here, Danielle Colding chose a perfectly-sized dresser and styled it with artwork, a vase, and a mirror, all of which reflect the colors featured in the rug.

The biggest mistake you can make while furnishing your first apartment is not thinking about how you actually want to live in it. So, if, for example, you work from home, establish a layout that prioritizes a home office, whether it has its own room or just a designated corner by a window, like this one in designer Krsnaa Mehta's home. Do you like to cook and eat in or host dinner parties? A big dining table that can double as a workspace during the day might be better for you.

A home isn't quite a home without a well-stocked kitchen. The basic essentials include cookware, an coffee machine, a toaster, and fruit bowls, to name a few. If you have limited storage space and need to display appliances, consider investing in appliances (how pretty is this espresso machine in a kitchen by AP Design House?) that get the job done while also beautifying your countertops.

Not only will a headboard and/or bed frame serve as a focal point in your bedroom, but it'll be a major upgrade from putting your mattress directly on the floor. You'll never have to rest your head against the wall again. For some guidance, take notes from this space designed by Arent & Pyke. The curves of this headboard along with the warm, deep colors ground the room and fill it with an edgy intensity while pink linens soften things up.

In this living room designed by Robert McKinley Studio, the radiator is disguised by a brutalist metal cover and the occupant's magazine and book collection is neatly displayed on floating shelves. Two apartment decorating solutions in one space!

Another common issue with cramped apartments? Limited closet space. Don't let that be a dealbreaker if everything else about the space, including the price point, is right for you. There are plenty of workarounds, whether it's investing in a bed with built-in drawers as a stand-in for a dresser or creating a "closet" out of an awkward nook by hanging fabric, either from hooks or a rod over the opening to hide stored items, as Tamsin Johnson did in this bedroom.

And on that note: Nothing ruins a bedroom like a bottomless pile of clothing scattered around. We, too, have our own "clothes chair" in the corner, but optimizing your closet with drawers and hangers that make it easy to stay organized will be a huge help. Here, Shapeless Studio opted for a hamper that's pretty enough to keep out in the open, too.

Swap out your overhead lights (especially the unsightly flush-mounts you found in the apartment when you moved in) with prettier fixtures and vintage treasures. In this hallway by Heather Hilliard, the blue crystal light makes all the difference.

When there's limited space for extras and less room to pile in all your favorite items, you'll need to beautify everything. Here, Anthony Dunning turned a regular old refrigerator into a design opportunity by dressing it up in removable wallpaper. You could apply the same technique to anything from ugly tiles on the kitchen or bathroom floor to doors and even entire walls.

When decorating your first apartment (or second, or third, and so on), chances are, you won't stay forever. And as you hop around, you may find yourself against a variety of backdrops, from modern and bland white boxes to Spanish-style buildings to industrial spaces with exposed brick and concrete surfaces. Instead of starting from scratch each time and trying to match everything perfectly, it's okay to reuse what you already have and build up your collection gradually. Not only will this help you discover your true personal style, but it'll also create a real sense of home. If eclectic design scares you, take note from this stylish dining nook by Romanek Design Studio. The modern, casual chairs, sophisticated marble tabl,e and vibrant artwork are a perfectly imperfect team.

Even if you're actually ready to tackle a gallery wall (the anxiety is real), you definitely should swap out your college paraphernalia for some new artwork. You may not have the income to splurge on a statement piece or two just yet, but there are totally easy ways to DIY some wall art. When in doubt, stick to a theme. Heidi Caillier kept it floral here.

Paint can totally impact how large your space feels. A white wall color can help make your (likely) small apartment feel bigger. Or at least give you a blank slate to work with. Bonus: It's easy to paint over when you move out. You could always paint them another color, too, if you're feeling adventurous.

When you have neutral staples and a smaller canvas to worth with, choose one statement item that brings in a surge of colorful energy. In this narrow kitchen designed by Romanek Design Studio, the bright and fun runner animates the entire space. Think of it as art for your floors.

Make sure you're always ready to host by keeping a wine rack fully stocked. In this small living room designed by ETC.etera, the bar unit also livens up an empty corner.

If you start with a neutral base then mix in color, your space will feel sophisticated, rather than childish. After all, no one wants an apartment that looks like a box of Crayolas melted all over the place. Take inspiration from this living room designed by Emily Henderson—a perfect example of colorful yet understated decorating.

On a similar note, make sure you're always have enough seating for guests. That doesn't mean you have to spend a ton on nice dining chairs though. An eclectic array of vintage finds or some simple folding chairs will look elevated against the right backdrop.

Make the best of an awkward and tiny kitchen with pretty linens, floating shelves, and fun wall decor. We're loving the pop of orange in the dish towel and the fun eagle convex mirror in this kitchen by Emily Henderson.

If your kitchen doesn't have an island and you don't have a living room that's separate from the kitchen, don't give up. Opt for a tall wooden table that can provide some extra counter space for cooking and also function as a two-top dining table. Use this one in a kitchen by Corinne Mathern Studio as your blueprint.