Decorating Tips for Renters

I have a curse. I call it the “white walls curse”. I’m a renter because I am a bit scared of the prospect of a thirty-year mortgage at this point in my life. I sometimes cannot decide which country I want to live in let alone choose a house. I’ve noticed a trend in each place that I rent; the walls are usually stark white. The landlords always have the exact same thing to say about said walls, “White brightens up the place don’t you think?”

White does add an undeniable brightness to any room but too much white is hard on the eyes. It can also make smaller spaces seem larger. I suspect this is part of the reason for the love affair many landlords have with the color white. If it were my own home I’d be out buying cans and cans of colors right now but being the renter that I am, I can’t. I have to be creative and find ways to add color to my place without painting or wallpapering. Some landlords will let you paint but they will most likely want to approve the color. They usually end up suggesting “off white”. If this happens to you there are many easy ways to add some color to your life.

How To Choose Colors

Before you go on a buying spree, choose the colors you would like to surround yourself with first. Imagine the effect a color will have on your mood before you make your final choice. A light green color will add a calm feeling to any space. Yellow will add a feeling of sunshine and brightness without the glare of stark white. Darker colors like burgundy or blue will add a touch of class depending on what you choose to go with them.

A good idea is to pick one thing about your room that you love whether it is a painting, a portrait or almost anything else you will have displayed. Study this item and pick out a few colors you see in it and go with those. You can pick colors from the fabric on your furniture or choose ones that compliment them. If you are starting from scratch go ahead and pick a few colors you love. If you feel you are really dense about colors like I am, look through magazines for ads that feature nicely decorated rooms and homes. Choose a color scheme you like from one of these.

Wallpaper borders can add a splash of color along the top of your wall or half way down if you choose. Be sure to ask permission before you do this. As with painting, your landlord might see this as “too permanent” and ask you not to do it. If your landlord gives you the go ahead to apply the border choose one you find appealing and buy room accessories that match the colors in the border.

Curtains

Curtains are definitely a great way to spice up any room. Sheer panels will let in the sunlight while adding color or you can go with heavier fabric that blocks out light entirely. A thicker fabric is a great idea for your bedroom if you aren’t an early riser. If you can’t find anything that you really love you can make them yourself. Go to a craft or fabric store and pick out a fabric and make the curtains yourself. Curtains require just a few straight stitches so even the novice crafter can make them with relative ease. If you like a cleaner look you can opt for mini blinds. These come in many great colors and a wide range of sizes to fit just about any window.

Wall Hangings

Be sure to find out if your landlord allows you to put nails in the wall. If not you may have a hard time hanging art but there are ways around this. You can rest a painting against the wall, on a mantel or even on an end table. You can also buy an inexpensive easel, rest the painting on it and put it in the corner. You can also use bookcases to display objects in your room. If you really want to hang art have a look around your local home improvement store for some ideas on how to hang items with minimal wall damage. The 3M Company has wall hooks that attach to the wall using an adhesive that can be removed with no damage to the wall. The large size hook holds up to 7.5 pounds.

If you can’t afford art, go with a poster print of a painting you like and frame it. You could also buy a canvas and create something in the colors you have chosen for your room. You don’t have to be an artist to create something appealing to hang on your wall.

Rugs

If you are feeling really generous you could have new carpeting installed. You must of course get permission for this from your landlord. If you decide to do this remember that when you move out the carpeting must stay. If you plan to stay in the rental for a long time this might be a good investment for you. If this is out of the question for you, you might consider purchasing area rugs. You can put these just about anywhere. Be sure to use something that secures them in place if they are lightweight. Many come with a rubber-like backing on them that grips the floor so you won’t slide when you step on them.

Throw Pillows and Blankets

These can be found in just about any color and texture. Buy them in the color of your choice and use them on your sofa and chairs. You can also throw some of these on your bed. Along the same lines you can buy sofa and chair covers to liven up older furniture. These can be bought in many colors or patterns as well.

Plants

A great plant looks good in any room. You can add as many or as few as you like. Keep in mind you will have to water these plants as you make your purchases. I tend to neglect my plants so I only have a few of the tougher variety in my place. You can choose a big palm or fern to sit in the corner or smaller ones to distribute around the room. Be careful about buying fake plants, as these can look cheap. If you wish to buy plastic spend a little more for ones that are realistic looking.

Finishing Touches

You may have the best luck wandering around the home department of your favorite store. If you see something you love go ahead and buy it. Dollar and discount stores can be surprising places to find unique items that will look great in your place and give it that personal touch that makes any rental feel like home.