Class has started, your apartment is filled with Ikea boxes, and furniture is awkwardly pushed against walls. No one has time to keep their apartment feng shui, but some basic interior design tips can make any apartment feel less like an impersonal rented studio.

Previous tenant catastrophes

Vomit-stained carpets, holes in the wall, and unidentifiable crud in the bathroom await most students in their new abodes. Ask the landlord to have the apartment cleaned, and don’t be afraid to report any previous damage. Sites like landorslum.com have made bullying landlords a bit more accountable.

Impenetrable floor stains can easily be covered by area rugs. Companies like FLOR design inexpensive carpet tiles which can be customized to fit any room, including the bathroom. Depending on  their size, holes in the walls can be filled with spackle or covered by artwork.

Mustard yellow walls?

 No, thank you.  Check with the landlord, most don’t mind neutral colors. If they’re sticklers for white walls, choose one wall to accent with a bold color, and repaint before moving out. Painting isn’t complicated, but it’s a four-step process that must be followed for good results: sand, wash, prime, and two coats of color. Use a small, angled brush near woodwork, corners, and the ceiling, and a large roller for the rest.

I have that poster, too!

Posters are a great way to tell people what bands you like, if you’re part of Team Edward, or if you love Starry Night, in case the information wasn’t already obvious. Personal photos say much more about you than Ikea prints. Find photos—from your memory card or from the godsend Flickr—of your favorite places, your hometown, or anything else that suits your fancy. A photo store can produce large prints at a cheaper cost than posters. Use a program like paint.net to convert them to black and white, and hang them using a cheap frame. Cut out photos from magazines, or pull a Jackson Pollock and splatter some paint on a canvas.

You live in a hall closet

Mirrors make rooms look bigger. When practical, leave blinds and curtains open to direct attention outside. Otherwise, adopt a minimalist philosophy towards your belongings: if you haven’t used or looked at something in a year, throw it out.

Lining a wall with bookshelves is a classic way to make use of an empty wall in a larger room. Many bookshelves come with optional wooden doors for lower shelves that can act as storage space for unsightly items. Fill the open areas with books, vases, or knick-knacks, and the covered portion with kitchen equipment, tools, cleaning supplies, or all five seasons of How I Met Your Mother.

Kitchen nightmares

Most kitchenettes are a flashback to the 1980s and have less space and storage than a bathroom.  To add some flare to a bland kitchen, paint the cabinets and update the small appliances. Store all unnecessary pots, pans, dishes, and food to take advantage of possible counter space. Cutting boards can be extended over the sink for extra workspace.  Use patterned dish towels to accent the space.  

Quick fixes

For couches and upholstered chairs stained beyond repair, invest in furniture covers. Available in neutral colors and bold prints, these inexpensive, washable covers provide an instant facelift.

Dark Montreal winters can make any room drab and uninviting. Many landlords skimp on overhead lighting to avoid high electrical bills. Use high-watt light bulbs when possible, and make sure each room has at least three light sources.

Redecorating an entire apartment can be overwhelming. For a quick change, pick an accent colour and carry it from room to room. Try a bright geometrically patterned pillow, artwork, or a funky lamp from a thrift store.

Enlist the help of a strong friend and experiment with furniture placement. Workspaces and dining areas should be near windows, and  furniture should be centred on a focal point such as a television or piece of artwork. Placing furniture against walls may maximize floor space, but it looks awkward and uninviting.