Decorating in a Rental

We've all been there - renting for what seems like forever. I am currently in the rental period of my life and it can get frustrating (especially for an amateur Interior Designer) to not be able to make a space yours completely. Winter is coming fast, and most of our time during this season is spent in our homes. Why not create something fresh and new to help keep your spirits up when it's freezing outside?

1. Walls -

All of the walls in my apartment are some sort of white. I am fortunate to be able to hang whatever I want on my walls, but not everyone has that luxury. Some places put limits on how many holes you can have in each wall or forbid it all together. Here are some fun, cheap and fresh ideas that don't require mutilating your apartment walls.

Colored Doilies
It may seem weird at first, but when you arrange them like this they look like fish scales, which are
trending right now. I would leave most of them white and pick two accent colors that complement my decor. There should be 3 white to every accent color. Make sure they are all the same pattern of doily or it won't have the same impact.

Paint Samples
Attaching paint samples to your wall in an interesting pattern brings instant impact. You can also get a good release of creative energy from doing it, because the options are limitless. Be careful, though, this project can get a little crazy if you don't plan it out before hand. Grouping the paint chips by color, like in the picture below, will bring order to the chaos. Best of all, they're free!

Instagram Collage
Take your favorite Instagram photos, print them all the same size, and arrange them on your wall. Matte photo paper works best for this. Measuring the space in between each picture is crucial! To ensure you get a uniform gap, attach two paint sticks perpendicular to each other to use as a template. Done right, multiples of the same item come together to create a cohesive and dramatic art piece.

Confetti Wall
Simply cutting identical circles from different paper is a fun and inexpensive way to breathe new life to your walls. This is a great idea for the commitment-phobic homeowner. It's easily taken down or rearranged if you change your mind later. You could even make this into a fun family project. Kids could pick out the colors for their own room and even choose where to put the dots you cut out together!

Wall Decals
Vinyl stickers are everywhere now. My local mall even has a store that only sells vinyl stickers. Your favorite quote or a beautiful silhouette strategically placed can definitely break up the sea of white on your walls. A less expensive option for a similar effect could be to cut a shape out of colorful scrapbook paper and then attach it to your wall.

2. Floors -

Colorful Rugs
Floors are the fifth wall - so make it count! Rugs travel with you when you move, so you can be bold here. Purchasing a multicolored rug like this one can go with a lot of different design schemes. Not to mention it makes quite the impact, which will draw attention away from boring white walls.

Floor Cushions

Large cushions in fun colors is another easy way to bring a bright punch of color to your room, and you can use them as extra seating for guests. Yay multitasking!

3. Decor

Homemade Lamps

Many apartments are not very well lit. Making your own lamp will give you extra light, a way to express yourself in your decor and help you feel at home in your space. Lamp kits are available at craft stores, hardware stores, and online for about $10-15. The base can be just about anything that stands on its own and you can drill a hole through. I especially love the book idea because old books can be found cheap at your local thrift store.

Lean a Large Piece of Art Against a Wall

Leaning the art against the wall is a bit unorthodox, and that is the point. People's eyes will be drawn to it immediately because it is out of the ordinary. And bonus: no wall damage! Doing this will also lower the line of sight, which is especially important for apartments with low ceilings.

I hope my ideas inspired you to create your space yours, regardless of where you live. Thank you all for your love and support. I have the best readers in the world.

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