Renting has many advantages, but one distinct downfall is that the property isn’t truly “yours. ” If you don’t care for the carpet color, the bathroom tile, or the kitchen cabinets, do you have to learn to live with it?
Not really, with a little ingenuity and elbow grease you can decorate a rental to suit your taste, whether you’re staying for months or years. Getting comfortable in your surrounds promotes peace and well-being, and makes you happy to come home to your place every night.
Most landlords will allow you hang pictures, but make sure you get permission for larger projects like painting the walls and swapping out fixtures.
Get Out The Paint
Perhaps the shade of beige is not your style. Most landlords will let you paint the walls as long as you paint it back the original color before you leave. For a less cumbersome and time-consuming project, consider just painting one accent wall which could dramatically up spruce up a room.
Look In The Mirror
Install a mirror or three to a bedroom, living room, or the hallway. Adding mirrors to a small space will open up a room.
DIY touches to a plain mirror will reflect your style and tastes. Get A glue gun and an abundance of material to make a frame around a mirror. Wine bottle corks, pieces of driftwood, shells, crayons, whatever you can dream up to make a perfect enhancement to a simple mirror.
Create A Gallery Wall
A so-called “gallery wall” is a unique way to display a variety of photos, pictures, and treasured items you have framed for safe keeping.
Gallery walls allow you to hang tasteful and heartfelt mementos without buying expensive art, the collection of items is art in itself. You can change out frames or pictures for a fresh look. Collect a variety photos and images in an array of frames and map out their locations for an eye-catching focal point in any room.
Change Out The Hardware
Sometimes it’s the little things that make a difference. A simple do-it-yourself project is to install new knobs for cabinets in the kitchen, bathroom, and closet. Your local hardware store will have a wide array of pieces to choose from elegant to whimsical.
Make sure you keep the old hardware so you can switch out when it’s time to move.
Hang From The Ceiling
If you can tie a knot, you can create cute macrame hangers from clothesline rope purchased at a craft shop or hardware store. Collect a variety of pots for a decorative way hang plants. Look for small baskets you can place in a hanger for the kitchen or bathrooms to store small items in style.
Light It Up
Sometimes apartments are lacking in the lighting department, so make sure you gather enough table and standing lamps to make every room bright. Save money and create lighting to suit your taste by scouring garage sales and clearance bins for bases and shades that you can paint or decorate.
Consider changing wall and ceiling light fixtures with ones that appeal to you, and think about installing a dimmer switch for mood lighting. You might have to hire a professional, but it’s worth it to have a properly lit place you can truly call home.
