LIVING WITHIN A BUDGET WITH SOME CREATIVITY, AND A LITTLE CASH, YOUR APARTMENT'S DECOR CAN SOAR.

Byline: Barbara De Witt Staff Writer

Even though you're paying rent, you can make an apartment your own.

With a lot of dash and very little cash, you can turn a blah-beige box into a stylish lair, says Malibu's designer-to-the-stars Bobi Leonard.

In addition to designing the homes of Hollywood celebs, including Robert Redford and Candice Bergen, Leonard has been sharing design tips on numerous television shows, including HGTV's ``Designers' Challenge,'' on which she's made appearances since its inception three years ago.

``She was my first call,'' says supervising producer Stacy Schneider. ``I knew that Bobi's exceptional taste and ability to demystify the design process would be a tremendous asset to the show. She can custom-design a room for any style or budget and offers exceptional personal service that brings comfort to our homeowners, who are often using an interior designer for the first time.''

Leonard also has been teaching for more than 20 years at the L.A.-based Learning Annex, where she's referred to as the school's most popular teacher because her classes are always filled. The subject of her next class on Jan. 23 is how to decorate an apartment for under $500 - and in prepping for it, she's become an expert at how to stretch a dollar and a can of paint.

She shared some of her tips for turning a rented space into a stylish abode.

Start with the landlord

``Since the biggest problem with apartments is that they're often like caves, light-colored walls are vital, and if you talk to the landlord and explain that you know how to paint and will make it look fresher by painting it white (instead of its current shade of brown or blue), he'll probably be agreeable,'' says Leonard.

``Landlords are more flexible when they see you're going to better the place, and you can strike a deal with the landlord and agree to paint the place back to the original color before you leave. And he may even be willing to pay for the paint and supplies.''

If the landlord is adamant about keeping the walls beige, Leonard suggests covering them with white gauze or a white screen, possibly in wicker or lattice.

Tackle the floor plan

Leonard has lived in the L.A. area for more than 20 years, and she's noticed most rentals tend to be boxy and lack a focal point - unless you're lucky enough to get a fireplace or a window with a view of a parking lot.

``In boxy rooms, you add character and break rules to make it fun. The key is to create a focal point such as painting one wall a different color - a splashy color. Or hang a mural or tapestry to make people look at one space,'' she advises. Leonard also says one attention-grabbing piece of furniture like a colorful futon works, too.

And if you live in one box - a studio apartment - the key is in arranging, she says.

``You can almost go stir-crazy in a studio apartment where you eat, sleep and watch TV in the same room, so the most important thing is to make it well-arranged by leaving it completely open or dividing it into areas of activity with screens or large pieces of furniture that serve as dividers,'' Leonard advises.

Dark room with low ceiling?

If the landlord lets you paint the wall a light shade, such as Leonard's favorite shade of white - Cielo Blanco by Ameritone - paint the ceiling one or two shades lighter than the walls to make it seem higher. Then, accentuate it with up-tilt lamps such as torchieres.

``When you've got those 7-foot ceilings that you see so often in the San Fernando Valley, I always try to draw attention to the bottom half of the room with rugs and low seating arrangements,'' she adds. ``Even cushions or director's chairs instead of a sofa will make the room seem taller.''

Next, add sheer white curtain panels (JCPenney and Pier 1 Imports sell them for $20) and/or blinds, which allow light in. Hang mirrors that reflect light and put a few healthy green houseplants in the corners.

Disguise what you can't change

When you can't rip out the flooring of the kitchen or bathroom, consider covering it with fake marble squares with a sticky backing. They're really easy to install but a little harder to remove, the decorating expert admits.

You'll have to live with counters and tile trim on the walls, but if you hate the color, ignore it and accent with something that fools the eye.

And that hideous glass shower door? Hide it with a pretty shower curtain hung on a spring-loaded pole. If the area around the pedestal sink looks nasty, cover it with gathered fabric.

If your apartment still has brown or gold shag carpeting, disguise it with natural fiber sisal rugs. Persian or oriental rugs work well, too, but are more expensive.

Another option, says Leonard, is to ask the landlord if you can remove the carpeting and roll it up for storage. Then clean and paint the cement floor and add sisal rugs.

Now start designing

Just in case you might get carried away when you hit the mall, Leonard provides this little cheat sheet:

--Avoid clutter and excess furniture to lighten your finances and enlarge the room. Instead of buying a dining table or big coffee table, dine on TV trays or use lacquer trays on your lap.

--Seating arrangements. Consider a futon, sofa-bed or a couple of director's chairs that you can easily paint and decorate.

--Rethink Asian decor. The Japanese concept of pillows and low tables is easy and inexpensive and also low to the ground, which creates the illusion of more space.

--Instead of free-standing bookcases, use cheaper shelves attached to the wall.

--Don't think you have to shop at flea markets or garage sales and make do with somebody else's cast-offs. Many items can be purchased new at retail stores such as Pier 1, Cost Plus, JCPenney, Costco and Wal-Mart, says Leonard. And don't rule out sales at higher-end stores.

--Make it homey with candles and live plants, but choose the kind of plants that are easy to maintain. Leonard's favorites are spathiphyllum, noted for its white calla lily-like flowers and dracaena, a sword-leafed evergreen house or patio plant that needs minimal water. Although ficus trees are trendy again, Leonard says they're temperamental about where they're placed and frequently drop leaves. Palms are too expensive if you're decorating on a budget. Ditto silk trees.

The bottom line in cheap-chic decor is not feeling deprived, stresses Leonard. Designer sofas are really overrated. And besides, they're difficult to maneuver up and down apartment stairs, while director's chairs can be folded up and tossed in the car.

HOW TO DECORATE YOUR APARTMENT FOR UNDER $500

Where: Learning Annex (address to be announced).

When: 6:45 to 9:30 p.m. Jan. 23; repeated March 4 and April 16.

Cost: $49. Call [phone] or enroll at www.learningannex.com.

A $500 shopping list

We challenged designer Bobi Leonard's $500 decorating budget and found that by following her lead, you can stay within expenses - providing you already have a bed. Furnishings courtesy of Pier 1 Imports in Woodland Hills.

Paint, supplies - $60

Plants - $60

Lacquer tray - $10

Floor pillows (3) - $100

Beaded tapestry - $80

Wrought-iron stool - $50

Director's chairs (2) - $60

Wrought-iron candle stand - $35

Woven box (for coffee table) - $45

TOTAL: $500 (tax not included)

CAPTION(S):

4 photos, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- cover -- color) mighty makeover, mini space

Designer Bobi Leonard shows how to revamp an apartment for only $500

(2 -- color) Designer Bobi Leonard relaxes among her thrifty yet stylish furnishings. All items are from Pier 1 Imports in Woodland Hills. See the $500 Shopping List at right for prices.

(3 -- color) no caption (Paint with roller)

(4 -- color) no caption (Coffee mugs on tray)

John McCoy/Staff Photographer

Box:

(1) HOW TO DECORATE YOUR APARTMENT FOR UNDER $500 (see text)

(2) A $500 shopping list (see text)