Photo via Lushome
Frames. Putting a frame around anything always makes it look better. In a home, framing makes all the difference. Even a simple photograph or poster put in a nice big frame is transformed into wall art. Frames can be very cheap, and the simpler the better. If you purchase a simple black frame and use that as a theme throughout your apartment, there will be a sense of unison in your home.
Another new trend has been framing mirrors, or just placing panels to create a "frame" around a plain square or rectangular mirror, which adds an elegant touch with minimal cost.
Use old things in new ways. Some of the best decorating choices come from items you already have! Look around your place for anything that can be repurposed. For example, rustic-looking wooden crates can be used as storage bins, or paint an old stepladder and it can be transformed into a side table or a small shelf.
Floating shelves. Ikea has great (and cheap) shelves that come in a variety of colours. Hanging floating shelves around your apartment to display your statuettes, vases, and book or movie collections (close together or far apart) creates a unique and asymmetrical style. They also save room (since they are actually used for storing items) and look great at the same time.
Shop the kids section. Even if you don't have little ones, the kids section in any store is always less expensive. This is a good idea for things like pillows, area rugs, and lamps. They usually come in bright or pastel colours, which is especially helpful if you are decorating with a specific accent colour in mind.
Photo via Bomeng
Wine Bottles. Once empty, wine bottles have tons of different uses. You can hang bracelets around the neck, decorate them with glitter or paint and use them as vases, or use them as candle holders.
DIY. When in doubt, Do It Yourself! In this age of social media, we can "DIY" just about anything. Pinterest is a great tool to find instructions and ideas on anything you would want or need. Most DIY projects only require supplies from any craft store, like Michael's, which always has sales and 40% off coupons you can find online.