Apartment decor

Renting? How to Design Your Rented Space

You want to paint: The landlord says no. Here’s some workarounds to help you transform your rental space from dreary to fabulous…

As a renter, the risk of damaging the walls, flooring and counter tops weighs heavy on your mind when trying to personalize your living space. In fact, those who rent often avoid decorating altogether because they’re afraid of losing their security deposit.

If this sounds like you, it’s time to change your mindset. You don’t have to live with white walls anymore (unless you want to, of course!)

With !nspiration and creativity, there are endless (non permanent) ways to put a personal stamp on your home.

Rental Workaround #1: Fab Flooring

When you’re renting a place, the last thing you want to do is invest thousands of dollars in new flooring only to leave it behind when you move.

Sure, your landlord might be overjoyed that you’re taking such pride in your home, but the reality is, if you’re not sure how long you’re staying, you’re just wasting your money.

With that said, dated, peeling or ugly linoleum floors are nothing to celebrate. Covering it up is your best option.

Carpet is the most obvious solution (you can read about how to choose the best carpet for your space here). Between color, pattern, texture, durability, shape and size, the options are endless and it’s easy to find something to suit your needs.

Blue brown rug from WHI

If you prefer the sleek tiled look, you can add a significant style boost to your décor with carpeted design tiles. Yes, you read that right: carpet now comes in tile form! From cinnamon to espresso shades, you can pick and choose your carpet tile to mimic your desired floor tile without the commitment of a complete overhaul.

The best part? You can take it with you to your next home, making the investment completely worthwhile.

Rental Workaround #2: No Paint? No Problem

Imagine finding the rental home of your dreams only to be told you’re not allowed to paint? Everyone knows a fresh coat of paint is the easiest, most cost-effective way to personalize a space, so not having that option can be disheartening.

Luckily there are several ways to work around this.

Wall decals come in various shape and sizes and add a gorgeous modern touch to any room. From complete wall murals to delicately detailed patterns and complete wall designs, you’ll be happy you don’t have the option to wallpaper.

We fell in love with this blog from Souali.com about decals for children’s rooms. Check out this gorgeous image…

credit: Souali.com

credit: Souali.com

Fabric hung across a rod or neatly pinned across your wall can also transform an entire wall into a unique focal point. It adds texture and dimension too; something much harder to achieve with a paintbrush.

Rental Workaround #3: Floor Length Mirrors

Floor length mirror for rental spaceWhen you’re renting, you must be extremely careful about damaging the walls with large nails or brackets; that’s why we suggest brightening up your space with floor length mirrors that take advantage of your vertical space.

The great thing about giant floor mirrors is how easily they lean against your wall. Some styles don’t even touch the wall at all, meaning no wall damage to worry about and a happy landlord on your side.

The Mila Standing Mirror In Orange adds a shot of style and color to any room, be it your bedroom, bathroom or den, creating a sense of lightness without a permanent décor commitment.

Don’t forget about your accent pieces, either. Beautiful accent chairs, dressers, ottomans, coffee tables, chests and cabinets are your best bet to personalizing your home without losing your deposit.

We hope our renter’s renovation tips have helped ease your renter’s remorse, or at least given you the boost to start personalizing your pad. How have you spruced up your rented space over the years? We’d love to hear your secrets in the comments below!