Rental Revamp: How To Make Your Digs Feel Like Home
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Moving into a new place can be an incredibly exciting moment in your life – and also an extremely stressful one. From moving-day chaos to budgeting and planning your design aesthetic, it can prove to be a gigantic endeavour. And that’s before you get the exhaustive list of decorating don’ts from your landlord. Don’t be scared, though: be prepared, and face this new phase as a fun challenge. We look at some of the many accessible ways you can bring life and your very own essence to your new flat, no matter how long (or short) you plan to stay.
Rental Revamp: How To Make Your Digs Feel Like Home.
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Go Green – Nothing says “I live here” more than having actual living things in your home. And while some rentals may not allow pets, you’re sure to be on the safe side with apartment-friendly plants. Our advice: Go for low-maintenance plants if you’re not yet well-versed in their upkeep (take our quiz to check your houseplant IQ). Snake plants or rubber trees, for example, are easy to maintain – meaning you can forget to tend to them sometimes and they’ll probably still live. If you really need some assistance, check out the many gadgets that make indoor gardening a cinch.
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Rental Revamp: How To Make Your Digs Feel Like Home.
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Put A Coat On It – Rentals usually come with crisp white walls, which can work as a blank canvas for your home decor dreams. If you want to make the new-to-you space feel like your very own, adding a touch of mood-setting colour is a simple and effective approach. Give your walls a coat of paint, or go bold with a fun wallpaper. If painting isn’t allowed – or you just don’t want to deal with repainting later on – then think about creating an accent wall using removable peel-and-stick wallpaper, which is easy to take down when the time comes to move out.
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Rental Revamp: How To Make Your Digs Feel Like Home.
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…Or Don’t – If painting, hammering and other wall alterations are a big fat no-no in your rental situation, there are other options. Skip the nails and drilling and, instead, reach for removable vinyl decals, or hang things like cork boards, posters, photos and other decor with removable wall hooks or removable mounting tape. The only drawback is these won’t hold particularly heavy objects, so you’ll have to think in terms of lighter items – for example, create a gallery wall with lots of smaller paintings rather than filling a large space with one big, weighty painting.
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Rental Revamp: How To Make Your Digs Feel Like Home.
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Out With The Old – When you move into a new place, it’s bound to have some elements you don’t especially love, whether it’s ugly beige curtains that cloud your windows, or a light fixture that’s outdated and cramping your style. Don’t live with the inconveniences, especially if they’re small and affordable to fix. Swap out the curtains, get a new light fixture, make the place your own. Just check with your landlord before throwing anything out for good – they may want you to put everything back the way you found it at the end of your contract.
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Rental Revamp: How To Make Your Digs Feel Like Home.
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Bring Your Memories – Home is where the heart is, right? If you want your place to feel like a proper home, make it one by filling it with your fondest memories and favourite things. Set out pictures of your family and friends, display objects from your travels and your family history, and cover the walls with art you love – even better if it’s made by you or a loved one. Add homemade candles and DIY centrepieces for a warm, artisanal touch, and stack your shelves and bookcases with your all-time favourite reads. Tip: If you’re not too particular about order, arrange them by colour or size for a more visually pleasing effect.
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Rental Revamp: How To Make Your Digs Feel Like Home.
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Go Big (And Be Home) – Few things can make you feel more settled in a new place than investing in good quality furniture and home decor. Once you’ve got your basics covered – you know, big-ticket items like a comfy yet stylish couch and a nice dinner table – try adding some statement pieces that communicate your personality and style. A fun chandelier, a quirky coffee table or an elegant rug can really transform a space and elevate it from basic to beautiful.
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Rental Revamp: How To Make Your Digs Feel Like Home.
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Divide And Conquer – If you’ve moved into a studio or a one-room flat, allow us to introduce you to your new best friend: room dividers. Whether you use big book shelves, an ornate folding screen or a well-placed curtain, strategically positioning dividers around the available space can create privacy, and even give rise to new ‘rooms’ – like carving an office area out of your existing living room – that make you feel like you’ve created more space in which to live.
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Rental Revamp: How To Make Your Digs Feel Like Home.
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Stow Away – Small rentals come with limited storage, but before you tearfully part with some beloved items ahead of your move, consider prioritising storage when you’re shopping for furniture. Invest in pieces that can also double as storage, like an ottoman that opens up, a bed with built-in drawers, or a sideboard that’s actually a dresser. This way, you won’t have to say goodbye to items you love – or have to rent a storage unit.
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Rental Revamp: How To Make Your Digs Feel Like Home.
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Go Snug With Rugs – Floors are one of those things you just can’t change in a rental. That being said, if you don’t love the colour or material of the floors in your new place (or if it’s just way too cold!), consider camouflaging them with a stunning rug that better reflects your style. Not only will it enhance the look of the room, but it will also feel much more cosy and homely. Whether you choose a classic model or a more contemporary one is all down to your personal taste.
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