Renters in high-priced areas often face one-room, square-shaped studios that are easily overwhelmed by furniture. Or perhaps sprucing up a place where you're only going to live for a year or two seems like a waste of time and money.

Yet a great home interior is easier than you think, according to Gina Gaetano, a 26-year-old interior decorator based in New York. Gaetano's advice for whipping your apartment into shape:

Get creative with paint: Defining separate living areas with color and texture creates a hospitable apartment. "If you don't like something and you're working with paint, it's not going to cost you much to try it again," Gaetano said.

Choose your furniture wisely: For small apartments, Gaetano recommends sticking to small-scale furniture with some pieces having open backs or furniture on legs to increase the space in the room. Vary the height of your furniture, and don't be afraid to mix.

The small stuff matters: Fixtures can make a big difference. Intricate knobs or handles on a set of chested drawers can dress it up and add visual interest. Gaetano also suggests investing in a couple of nice lighting fixtures.