You may think you need to spend big bucks to revamp your apartment's decor, but that's not always the case. Lucky for budget-conscious renters, there are a number of ways to make a big impact on your apartment's decor without overspending. Here are just a few affordable updates that will breathe new life into your living space.

1. Add a new rug. To change the whole feel of your living room or bedroom, switch out your rug with something completely different. Simply choose something in a different color or more elaborate pattern — just make sure that it still coordinates with the rest of your furniture.
2. Brighten things up. Let in natural light by switching out all of the window treatments in your home. Instead of using blackout curtains or heavy drapes, add light, sheer curtains that maximize the sunlight.
3. Throw around some pops of color. If your bedroom or living room is looking a bit drab, try adding mix-and-matched throw pillows to make things feel more exciting. You can also toss a bright throw blanket over the arm of a chair or the back of a sofa to tie it all together.
4. Hang some low-priced artwork. Search local thrift stores for new-to-you pieces or create your own DIY artwork to transform your rental into a home. Whether you arrange them into a gallery wall or hang simple statement pieces, wall art makes a big impact.

30 Ways To Upgrade Your Rental Apartment [Style Caster]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Emily May

Any pool that's good enough for Robert Redford should be good enough for the average swimmer. Barton Springs Pool is that pool. Redford took his very first strokes here as a 5-year-old while on a trip to visit his relatives. Perhaps what drew the Redford family to Barton Springs was its one-of-a-kind aesthetic, unlike any other public pool. You see, the pool's waters filter into it from a hot underground spring, so it's a cross between a typical pool (with lifeguards, diving board, and concrete walls) and a natural lake (with algae underfoot).

Head to Barton Springs Pool any time of year for a swim in crisp waters. They average around 70 degrees no matter the season due to the font from which they flow. Locals love cooling off in the chilly pool on an oppressive Texan summer day or just coming here to sunbathe and people-watch.

Barton Springs Pool
2201 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 476-9044
www.austintexas.gov/department/barton-springs-pool
www.yelp.com/biz/barton-springs-pool-austin

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Ruth and Dave

Have a relaxing day with fun and laughter!