Renting an apartment can come with so many perks. Amenities like 24-hour gyms, swimming pools, tennis courts, and dog parks all located on-site are mere footsteps from your front door. On top of that, when you rent an apartment, you don’t have to worry about landscaping, a maintenance crew handles all service calls, and, in some instances, rent may include certain utilities.
There are, however, some limits as to what you can do to add homey touches and make it feel like your own. For the most part, you’re not allowed to paint the walls. Renovating the flooring or countertops is also not an option, and forget about any type of demolition. Nevertheless, there are plenty of things you can do to personalize your space. Here are a few ideas to help your new apartment feel like home.
Start with a Deep Clean
Before you start decorating, thoroughly clean your new apartment. You will feel more comfortable and at home knowing that everything is cleaned to your standard. Plus, after you’ve spent a few hours cleaning, you will know every nook and cranny of your new place, making it feel more familiar and under your control.
Add a Trendy Backsplash
You obviously can’t re-tile a kitchen in an apartment that you’re renting, but you can use a sticky backsplash to create the same look. They are available in countless designs and colors, and installing them is super easy. Just peel off the backing and stick the tile wherever you want. When your lease is up, just pull them off of the wall and throw them in the trash.
There are also other wonderful backsplash ideas, made with everything from reclaimed wood to removable tiles. In addition to faux backsplash, there are tons of renter-friendly remodel ideas including carpet squares, removable wallpaper, contact paper for cabinets, wall decals, and more!
Define and Showcase Your Style
Alright, so you won’t be able to fully take over the style of your flooring, wall colors, and appliances, but when it comes to decorating your apartment, your options are as limitless as your thoughts. Want a red couch? Go for it! Think a black and white chevron rug will be the perfect accent piece for your living room? Roll that baby out! Just because you can’t make major changes to your apartment doesn’t mean that you can’t make it feel like home by adding things that do just that.
Display Your Favorite Pictures
Nothing personalizes a space more than personal pictures and artwork. If your leasing agent is not cool with making holes in the wall, you can use picture hanging strips or free-standing frames. Be sure to bust out those sentimental pieces, too, and put them on display! Have a piece of artwork you love? Put it in the living room where everyone will see it when they walk in.
Pay attention to the lighting
Lighting is one of those things that we seldom pay attention to unless something’s not quite right. If you walk into a room and notice that something is “off,” it might be the lighting. Try different bulbs with varying lumens and light color until you find something that suits your fancy. In general, warm white light is ideal for bedrooms and living rooms while bright white or cool white is best suited for workspaces, kitchens, and bathrooms.
Add some hygge
The first few nights in your new apartment may feel a little foreign and uncomfortable. So pull out all of the stops and make that thing look cozy AF – we’re talking blankets, area rugs, throw pillows, curtains, candles of your favorite scent – the whole nine yards.
Call in the troops
Invite over some of your favorite people, and throw yourself a little housewarming party (there’s a reason they call it that!). A kitchen that’s up and running does wonders in helping your new place feel “yours.” Plus, if you have some great friends, they’ll even help you finish unpacking and setting up your new home. Sweet deal.
Getting ready to find your new place? Check out our apartments for rent and get settled into your new home with these tips.
This article was updated on 4/26/18.
Contenu associé
