New Year, new décor for your Los Angeles apartment

With every New Year there comes a desire to improve something about ourselves, whether it’s our jobs, our habits and disposition, or our homes. If you’re trying to enhance the space you live in, this is the best time to embark on beautification projects.

With a few personal touches, any rental house can turn into a welcoming place and feel as comfortable as your favorite reading nook. Here are a few steps to guide you to a happy urban living experience.

Do your homework! Before you start hammering nails into the walls, take a moment and read through your lease documents. If you do not see information on things like painting walls, changing window treatments or replacing lighting fixtures, talk to your landlord directly to see what you can and cannot do. If you don’t want to ruin the walls in your rental, you can use picture strips instead of nails.

Dig deep into your mind! The key to creating a cozy space is knowing what your personal preferences are, what makes you tick and what you need to feel comfy in a space. I, for one, can’t wait for the weekends to come to grab a book and sit in my old rocking chair (which I re-painted myself with a little help from a friend). Hit up your local thrift stores, yard sales, and flea markets to get good deals on unique furniture.

Get crafty! You’re already living in the creative capital of the nation so start looking for resources and creative alternatives to make the home feel more like your own. There are tons of good vintage stores and thrift shops around town that offer good deals on furniture, decorations and accessories. If you want to make the move from Ikea to cool furniture that tells a story definitely drop by Furthur, 4312 Sunset Blvd. You’ll find plenty of unique gear and lovely gifts for your home, mosaic tables, hardwood furniture, patio furniture, electric bicycles, lamps, mirrors and much more.

Turn to nature! You can start growing your own herbs indoors on a sunny window ledge to add a plus of flavor and freshness to your every meal. Plants will also make your quarters vibrate with color and positive energy.

Choose multi-functional and space-saving accessories. Convertible furniture can be a great solution to shrinking homes and micro-living which has now become a trend in rental housing. For updating a dull space, incorporate a convertible sofa in your design scheme. You’ll be able to use it as a combination of bed and seating, to save space. Extremely helpful when living in a studio apartment.