Fellas….Rent a Room
Decorating a rental often gets a bad rep, although it’s somehow less than decorating a home you own. Let’s be honest. Not only as we age, but in general home ownership is not the right answer for everyone. Looking at the positive side that renting affords you: you can focus all of your decorating energy on the “fun stuff”. Your home-owning friends, between the mortgage, the emergency fund and saving for a new bathroom or kitchen, might not be able to afford a new sofa right now, making due with hand-me-downs for the foreseeable future. You can save up and get that sofa you’ve always wanted, safe knowing that if your dishwasher breaks down, hey, not your problem.
Every tenant wants to make their rented home feel like a castle, even if it is owned by someone else. If you are desperate to decorate be sure to ask or involve your landlord. It maybe that your sense of style may add that extra value to the space and, you may not be required to repaint before your lease ends. Do get permission in writing. With your agreements spelled out in ink, chances fare better that the lord of your manor will remember your pact, and you’ll move on to your next castle with peace of mind and, hopefully, a deposit fully returned.
First things first. You should actually decorate your rental, even if it’s in small temporary ways. Ignoring the things you dislike and avoiding putting your mark on it is a sure-fire way to feel miserable each time you walk in the door. No excuses. Even rentals deserve love.
Invest in versatile, quality pieces. Choosing flexible pieces, rather than items that fit perfectly in your current space but might give you trouble down the road. A few carefully chosen quality pieces that have a close personal connection to you and your cohabitants can really say so much more. Pick out pieces that really mean something to you, things that are well made, and things that will last.
Why is lighting always the worst feature in any rental? Invest in a chandelier you LOVE and start using it now. It’s really not terribly hard to make the switch, and your space will thank you for it.
Change out the hardware. Hardware is one of those things that make a massive impact. For just a few dollars a piece, you can instantly upgrade your kitchen and bath – all while making it feel significantly more “you”. Plus when you leave you can easily switch everything back and you landlord won’t be none-the-wiser.
Whether it’s cold laminate flooring or seen better days carpet you’re trying to cover up, a good area rug will cover a multitude of sins. Rugs bring color, and texture into a space and they’re yours forever, so find some you really like.
Hang art! The thought of patching a ton of tiny holes when leaving isn’t terribly appealing. But as far as I am concerned, while you are there you may as well enjoy your stay! Art makes the home, and there are a million ways to bring it into yours, from affordable prints hung gallery style to original works leaning on the floor.
Paint is easily the simplest way to make your mark on a space and upgrade from renter’s beige while you’re at it. Bonus: if your space looks great and the colors you choose are relatively neutral, you might not even have to repaint when you leave.
Improve the window coverings. This is an area most rentals seem to be lacking. Whether it’s dirty old curtains or depressing vertical blinds, lackluster window treatments just scream “temporary home”. Sort it out by upgrading to fresh curtains. Ready-made curtains really can be affordable and take your space from bland to outstanding without breaking the bank.
If you want to personalize your home, personalize the objects inside it. If you find a chair you really like but it’s not quite the right color, don’t worry – strip it, stain it, and recover it. Not only do you end up with something that looks completely unique, but there is an emotional connection to that object, your decisions and your labor wrapped within it. What makes the object interesting or valuable is not whether it’s trendy. What makes it interesting and valuable is all the ideas we invest into that object.
This is kind of a universal tip, but keeping fresh flowers and potted plants on hand adds warmth and life to a space almost immediately.
The best way to decorate your rental is to give it your thoughts, your time, your care and attention – it will be well worth it!
Design is everything.
EVERYTHING!
Todd
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About the Author: Todd Russell was a professional Interior Designer with over 20 years of experience in helping couples create unique living spaces.
