Along with myself, I am sure most of you out there rent the space you live in. I am sure there are little things about the place you are living that drive you crazy and you can’t get around to designing most of it because you just aren’t sure of how creative you can get in a space you might be leaving in one year. But, one year is a long time to live in a space you do not love. Trust me. Here are a few ideas you can easily do to make your space more YOU…. that will not totally break your bank.
I want to start with the walls because the color of your walls can make
or break a room’s ambience.
1. Paint – Some landlords will allow you to paint. You just have to ask If they want you to paint it back to the original color, ask them if they have a paint swatch of the color. If not, do your best to match it with the help of your local paint store. If you need color assistance in your home you should definitely have a consultation with me and my design team over at With Love, Design.
2. Temporary Wallpaper – If you cannot paint, you have a couple of options. First I would try temporary wallpaper. Even adding one wall of a color or pattern will really make a difference. Be sure to test a small section of the wallpaper on the wall to see if the paint your landlord chose will come off. Fingers crossed that it will not come off!
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Here are a few sources for temporary wallpaper:
3. Fabric – Another option you have if you cannot paint is to apply fabric to your walls. SERIOUSLY 🙂 Placing fabric on your walls is such a fabulous way to spice up a room. All you have to do is follow a few instructions – it is very similar to wallpaper. You apply starch to the back and then once you want to take the wallpaper down, just remove and wash the fabric and it is as good as new!
{click} Instructions: Fabric on Walls
4.Wall Decals – If you decide those ideas are not for you, there is anothereasy idea to create an interesting space. Try wall decals!
ex:
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My next tip would be to change the ugly cookie-cutter lighting that
comes with most places you rent. Unless you have an amazing studio
loft that has exposed ceilings and industrial lighting. DO NOT remove..
I will beg. Ha! I cannot stress enough how important lighting is in your
space. It will literally change the entire feel of the room instantly. I always
say you need three different types of lighting in each room, however, it
depends on the room. You need overhead, ambient lighting then you will
also need task lighting such as a table lamp. Then sometimes accent lighting
is necessary to highlight different parts of the room (but this is only sometimes).
Here are my tips:
1. Pendant lighting: invest in some nice light fixtures! Sometimes pendants
you buy have to be hardwired by an electrician but you can have it adapted
to a plug for super cheap! So if you have a pendant with a cord and plug, go
ahead and run the cord along the wall with fasteners. I honestly do not mind
if the cord is black and the walls are white, but it depends on your style. If you
like a more traditional look you are probably going to lean more toward a cord
cover. I personally hate cord covers (they remind me of every one
of my high school friend’s moms) … plus, I enjoy the black cord industrial
look against my white walls. It looks good ladies and gents, trust me.
Check out these fab examples:
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You can go to your local architectural salvage and find industrial pendants.
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This is a great way to drape your wires and make them look more
artistic and purposeful.
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Here’s another unique idea… gather a group of these lovely japanese lanterns and
cover up the ugly/cookie-cutter light fixture that comes with your rented space.
This will automatically transform your space.
If you are not blessed with an apartment (or house) with beautiful wood flooring,
my advice is to invest in nice, big rugs. You can find inexpensive rugs at West
Elm. Another option for ugly tile is to go to ikea or hardware store
and find hardwood planks for about .89 each! Seriously I am thinking about
doing this in our kitchen right now.
Here’s the deal with accessories: go on an adventure to find or buy various
trinkets that make you happy (it can be a process over time to find
a lot of good ones you want to display). Also, pick up some hardcover
books from any garage sale and remove the plastic covering. The inside
hardcover of the book is always 100% more fabulous than the outside annoying
cover. Use the books to style bookshelves, side tables, coffee tables, nightstands, etc.
Then place the trinkets on or around the books. Just make sure everything
is in scale and you are not putting little army men on big encyclopedias.
Got it? Actually, never display little army men on anything.
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Another idea is to add fresh flowers every week to your space. Every space
looks, feels and smells better when there are fresh flowers present.
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Another suggestion for you renters out there:
Go buy cool hardware for your drawers and cabinets.
You can take them to your next rented space as well!
Start a collection, why not?!
My suggestion for new knobs is:
Ottomans are amazing! They can double as extra seating for guests
or a coffee table. Like the West Elm one above.
Style it with a tray and trinkets then you can even serve food
and drinks on it.
Another tip for furniture is do not buy too big.
You never know if the size of the next space you live in.
Plus bigger furniture makes you feel cramped in a smaller
apartment. My apartment really needs smaller
furniture but I am having to kind of wing it for now because
I just moved in with my boyfriend…and I have already tried
giving away his over-sized man chair. It doesn’t work that easy. 🙂
Well I hope these tips help you all out with your rented spaces.
I have about 100 more tips for renters
….so comment with any questions!!
& if all else fails…
Buy a cool dish rack.
Happy Thursday!!
Jess! This post is so inspiring! I love how you teach and advise us to tailor or spaces. I currently rent AND live with my boyfriend -like you mentioned. We have painted our walls, added lighting, changed shelving knobs, and even added new flooring. We only plan to live in our place for another year or so BUT these upgrades have helped me love our space. Next, we have to de-clutter to ensure we only have things of function and beauty in our home. Please post organizational tips! Love, Raina