There are lots of benefits to renting an apartment, condo or  house – fewer responsibilities when it comes to maintenance and upkeep, the ability to pick up and move when you’re ready, and for most people, it just makes more sense financially. But there are also some draw-backs. When you’re renting, you don’t always have the freedom to make long-term or permanent changes to your living space. But that doesn’t mean you have to just accept the features of your rental property as-is. You can still add fun, personal touches to make your rental house feel like home.

Where to Start

The first place to start is paint (be sure to check with your landlord or property management first to see if they have any restrictions on the kinds of colors you can use). Paint is the easiest, most cost-effective way to personalize and liven up a room.  Even if you have smaller rooms, don’t be afraid to use bold colors. A small room or hallway can really make an impact when you choose a bold paint color for the walls (and no, in most cases a bold color will not make your room look smaller).

If you’re not allowed to paint, use window treatments, room dividers and pieces of artwork to add color to your walls.

While you are inquiring about paint, find out if Peel & Stick wallpaper is an option? With hundreds of patterns to choose from, Peel & Stick wallpaper makes it easy to showcase your personal style in your space. When it comes time to remove the wallpaper, take care that you do not damage the walls as not all Peel & Stick wallpapers are created equal.

Kathy Basil from Hirshfield’s Design Studio has some great tips for renters looking to decorate their small apartment or loft:

Make the Most of your Focal Points

Highlight unique spots in your home, such as walls with a fireplace or windows with a great view. Windows with a great view may need an update –  are you allowed to take down existing window treatments (don’t throw them away) and zhuzh it up with your personal style?

 

Be Creative with Storage

In most lofts, storage space is at a premium, so you must make the most of any space available.  You may have great vertical options, and you can even turn the storage space into a decor piece in a room, such as using baskets that look great and also hold your clutter.

Select Appropriate Furniture

Although this may seem obvious, make sure to consider the size of the space when picking out furniture – don’t purchase an oversized or sectional couch for a smaller space that might not be able to accommodate it. There are apps aplenty that let you see how pieces will look in your home — we like the old-fashion way of marking out dimensions with masking tape. On an app, taking 4″ away from the standard 36″ pathway might seem like it works, but taping it out and walking your body through the reduced pathway is the real test.

 

Don’t forget to declutter. No matter the size of your home, getting rid of clutter is a must. Less clutter makes your home feel more spacious and it’s good for your mental health.

Since Frank and Elizabeth Hirshfield opened their first store in 1894, it has been our mission to do the best job possible meeting customer needs and solving customer problems. Hirshfield’s. People and products you can trust.