Beat the Rental Blues: How to Make Your Living Space Feel Like a Custom Home

I've teamed up with my new blogger friend, Seth Murphy, to share home decor tips. Go check out Seth's blog, www.papadiy.com and enjoy his article below!!!!

Have you dreamt of the perfect home that you can make your own? There’s a wonderful feeling to owning a place and designing it inside and out to fit your aesthetic. Renting a property, on the other hand, takes some of that joy out of the picture, especially if you have limited space. And if you’re squirreling away money to save up for your down payment on a new home, it could be a way off before you’re able to realize your dream. However, while you bide your time, you can still make changes to your current living space to fit your preferences.

To make sure you get that deposit back when it’s time to move out, Hot Messy Bun has a few damage-free decorating ideas to help you customize your apartment or rental home.

Create a Kids Zone

Step away from the paint cans, mom and dad! You can create an amazing, inspiring place for your kiddos without losing your security deposit. Instead of painting the walls or hanging wallpaper, choose bold furniture and rugs to liven up their space. Older kids can even help out with a few DIY projects, like scouring garage sales for funky old furniture and spray-painting it their favorite bright hue.

Optimize Your WFH Setup

Remote work is here to stay. Whether you work from home full-time or not, it's a good idea to establish a home office within your rental. Instead of cluttering your office walls (and adding a bunch of holes) with shelves and decor, opt for a large bulletin board or pegboard — ideally one you can mount with Command strips. From there, you can keep track of all your ongoing projects from one central location.

If you don't have an extra bedroom to use as a home office, steal from another part of your home to create the space. You can carve out an office from your kitchen, dining room, living room, or bonus space. A stylish room divider won't break your landlord's rules — and it'll do double duty as a cool Zoom meeting backdrop.

Bring the Party to Your Place

If you love to entertain, wow your guests with a bold, eye-catching living space and kitchen. If your rental has boring or dated knobs, drawer pulls, or light fixtures, Lowe’s explains you can swap them out; just remember to save the old ones and put them back before you move. The same goes for curtains. A bold choice of window treatments can completely change the look of a room.

Choose a theme — mid-century modern, beachy, art deco — the possibilities are endless. Be sure to check out local vintage and thrift stores to see if you can find unique statement pieces, and don’t let the age of a piece stop you from making a purchase. An older mid-century modern fabric chair can get a new lease on life with a thorough cleaning. A quick online search for furniture upholsterers near you can net you some reliable experts to choose from, and an almost brand-new piece of furniture.

Relax in a Personal Oasis

At the end of a long day, let your bedroom serve as your escape from life's stresses. In this space, your apartment or rental home's stark white walls can serve as a jumping-off point for a spa-like feel. Lean a full-length mirror against one wall for visual interest. Then add some plush pillows and bedding with sumptuous fabrics in whites and creams. Choose soft lighting from bedside lamps and Savvy Gardener suggests a few low-maintenance indoor plants. You'll never want to leave this retreat.

Evolve Your Decor

The beauty of designing within the constraints of a rental is that you have total freedom to change your design whenever you want with no long-term damage to the walls or structure of your home. It’s also a perfect opportunity to get an idea of what you really want when the time comes to buy a home.

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