"Uggs," my son wrote, "I'm not used to having them." I felt steam coming off the phone so I called him.
It caused many disappointments: a towel rack that fell off the wall, a ceiling fan that didn't work, windows that wouldn't open, invisible nail holes from the previous tenant. Moved a month ago and these issues still haven't been resolved.
"I'm used to handling everything myself," she said, which was true.
From owner to tenant
My 27-year-old daughter from Nashville rented the apartment my husband and I rented in Boston. The previous location was in a 70-year-old building, so it often required repairs. If something fails to fix, it is easy to find the right fix.
You can make interior improvements, such as wall paint, new light fixtures, and new window coverings, without getting a permit.
"Welcome to the world of rentals," I said.
Most of us have been there. More than one-third (35%) of the US population lives in rental housing, and that number rises to 65% among people under the age of 35, according to the US Census Bureau.
You can change
Although the renovations are slow, my daughter, being my daughter, will do everything she can to spruce up and improve the place without jeopardizing her relationship or her relationship with the new owner.
Those who have been in their shoes know that the most difficult part of the transition from owner to tenant is not being able to change the permanent decoration. You have to work with the tiles, tables, cabinets, carpets, lighting, appliances and generally the color of the existing walls.
While some landlords are more flexible than others, most don't want you to make changes without their consent. Even if you're approved, you may not want to invest in a home you don't own or improvements you can't take with you.
Add personality
That said, there are a few decorating steps renters can take that can take away what they don't like and focus on what they do want, while still giving the semi-permanent home its look and feel. . .
Here are some other tips we've used to create the perfect look that can adapt to rental life:
Mix and match the floors: One way she quickly made her space was by laying vintage sisal rugs over hardwoods in the three main rooms: the living room, dining room, and bedroom. Carpets do not match, but combine with each other, unifying the small apartment and creating a work base.
Find a bold fabric: The cool gray walls and dark gray kitchen counters weren't out of place, so she switched out warm-colored accessories (yellow pillows, tangerine seats on the kitchen chairs) with fabrics from the space. cloud.
We found a beautiful floral print fabric that matches the color of the walls and the gray and blue sofas. I made three large sofa pillows from this pencil fabric, adding navy blue and emerald accents for us to lean on.
She covered the kitchen's orange chairs with a patterned nautical canvas and filled them with greenery near the tall windows. Adding navy and green to the space helped the whole space click.
Organize the closet: While most renters don't want to invest in a custom built-in closet, they can often maximize limited closet space with the smart use of external organizers, overhead shelves, and shoe cabinets. Replacing bulky plastic hangers with thin, economical velvet hangers instantly gives you more breathing room and looks better.
Get the right light: Most homeowners (or former renters) don't pay attention to the color temperature of their light bulbs. Therefore, some parts are blue, others are yellow. shit
It's important to have lights that match the color temperature and keep homes safe. If the lights are different colors, substitute outdoor LED lights that will rent the same temperature. I like warm white light in the 2700-3000 range.
Layer as you like : Personalize books, photos, artwork, and hardcover artwork by layering them. Hang artwork on mantels or shelves, or use control panels to drill holes in walls that your landlord might block.
Take permission: My daughter learned this lesson the hard way. Her husband suggested she call a local repairman to go over two repair options. The repair was so simple that the repairman said he could fix it on the spot.
The minimum payment, even with the estimate, was $150, so she told him to go ahead. She thought the owner would be happy to solve the two problems efficiently and economically.
Instead, he asked not to engage in "arbitrary" repairs in the future. Renting is a learning experience.
Marnie Jameson is the author of six home and lifestyle books. You can find it at www.marnijameson.com.
