How One Woman Turned Her Rental Apartment into a Luxury Oasis

In a world where homeownership feels increasingly out of reach for many millennials, Nnedinma Obiwuru, a 31-year-old marketing specialist, is proving that renting doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style or personality. Obiwuru and her fiancé have transformed their Austin rental apartment into a chic, Parisian-inspired retreat, complete with DIY projects, thrifted finds, and a healthy dose of creativity. For $7,000, they’ve turned a generic, two-bedroom space into a sanctuary that rivals the aesthetics of a boutique hotel.

From White Box to Parisian Chic: The Primary Bedroom

The primary bedroom is a testament to Obiwuru’s vision and creativity. Inspired by the luxurious Relais Christine in Paris, she created a space that feels like a high-end hotel suite. A vintage, hand-carved bedframe, passed down from her fiancé’s grandmother, serves as the room’s centerpiece. Above it hangs a stunning $130 chandelier from Amazon, which Obiwuru assembled herself over two days. The result is a room that exudes elegance and sophistication, all while staying within a budget. Obiwuru’s guests are often awestruck by the transformation, with visits frequently lasting six hours or more as they soak in the ambiance.

A Restaurant-Themed Guest Room: DIY on a Budget

The guest room is another highlight of Obiwuru’s design prowess. What was once a bland, cookie-cutter space has been transformed into a charming bar-and-restaurant-themed retreat. Obiwuru and her fiancé built most of the furniture themselves, including red velvet banquette chairs and a collapsible bar. The chairs, made from wood, foam, and fabric, cost just $700 to create, while the bar, crafted from plywood and hinges, was a mere $80. The bar is designed to be foldable and can be stored in a closet when not in use, making it a practical and renter-friendly addition to the room.

Thrifty Design: How to Create High-End Style on a Budget

Obiwuru’s design philosophy is rooted in her love of travel and the luxury hotels she’s encountered. She draws inspiration from places like Maison Metier in New Orleans, where she’s learned to layer eclectic pieces of furniture and art for a unique, high-end look. While some items, like a $1,000 leather couch from Wayfair, are splurges, most of her decor is thrifted from local stores. “I love it when I go to a bar, and it feels like you’re transported somewhere else,” she says. This sense of escapism is evident in every corner of her home, where thrifted finds and DIY projects blend seamlessly to create a luxurious atmosphere.

The Bathroom: A Canvas for Creativity

Obiwuru’s bathrooms are another example of her creativity. With a budget of just $100, she and her fiancé collected 51 picture frames from Goodwill stores across Austin. These frames were filled with artwork from the Harlem Renaissance and Prohibition era, creating a gallery wall that adds a touch of history and elegance to the space. “Bathrooms, or powder rooms, are where designers can really get creative because they’re contained spaces,” Obiwuru explains. Her bathroom is a testament to this idea, proving that even small, functional spaces can be transformed into something extraordinary.

Lessons Learned: Renovation Regrets and Life as a Renter

While Obiwuru is thrilled with her home, she admits there are a few things she would do differently if given the chance. Painting some rooms before having a complete design plan in place is one of her biggest regrets. “I’ve learned to move more slowly,” she says. Additionally, the challenges of renovating a rental apartment while living in close proximity to neighbors have taught her the importance of timing and consideration. Despite these hurdles, Obiwuru remains committed to her rental lifestyle, prioritizing experiences like travel and dog daycare over saving for a down payment. For her, and many others like her, renting is no longer seen as a temporary solution but as a viable, long-term choice.

Redefining Rental Living: A New Era of Personalized Spaces

Obiwuru’s journey is part of a larger trend, as young Americans increasingly redirect their resources toward transforming rental properties into personalized, stylish spaces. Through her Instagram account, @everylastlayer, which has garnered over 38,000 followers, Obiwuru shares her renovation process and inspires others to embrace their creativity. Her story is a reminder that a rental apartment doesn’t have to feel temporary or impersonal. With a little ingenuity and a lot of heart, it’s possible to create a home that truly feels like your own.