When you’re trying to decorate a place that’s not your own, things can get quite complicated, quite quickly. How much can you change? What if you damage something in the process? How do you revert the place back to the way it was when you’re ready to move out? These are some of the questions you will have to answer (or rather, your landlord will have to answer for you) before you decide to change up your living environment to create that highly sought-after homey feel.
That said, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of great ways to imbue your new home with a more up-scale vibe, and make it your own. After all, you’re going to spend a lot of time here, so there is a need to feel comfortable, safe, and positive on a daily basis. Here are the five decorating tips that will help you elevate the look of your rental.
Less is more, you know
Modern consumerism has influenced our mindset to such an extent, that we simply can’t fandom living our lives without all this stuff cluttering our surroundings. So much clothes, furniture, accents, useless trinkets and equipment stuffed in every room, it's a miracle people are able to move around without bumping into it along the way. Needless to say, if you want to elevate the look and feel of your rental and make it more functional to boot, you need to declutter.
Concretely, consider embracing a semi-minimalist mindset, and then go ahead and part ways with everything you no longer need in your life. Don’t just throw stuff away, instead donate it to those in need, recycle it, and repurpose some of it for other rooms instead of buying new pieces. Luxurious interiors are clean and clutter-free, and they enjoy only a few carefully-selected elements that allow for unimpeded movement and unhindered aesthetics.
Pick your color palette carefully
If you’re allowed to paint the walls, great. If not, don’t worry, there’s always a way to spruce them up in a non-permanent way. For the color scheme to portray a more up-scale vibe and create a more luxurious ambiance, it needs to be neutral. A neutral foundation will set the tone of the room, and will allow you to scale the décor accordingly. It will also allow you to introduce the right focal points, and choose complementary colors for all other décor elements down the line.
This isn’t to say that you can’t play around with patterns, though. If you want to add a bit of geometry or vivaciousness to a focal wall, for example, you can choose a temporary wallpaper. This is an excellent choice if you want to circumvent the strict decorating rules in your apartment, as you can easily peel them off when you’re ready to move out.
Splurge on your focal points
Focal points can make or break a room, so there is a real need to think long and hard about the kind of focal points you want scattered throughout your apartment. No matter the amount of space you’re working with, every area deserves to have a focal element that will inspire the observer to feel at home, and evoke all the right emotions.
Take the living room as a prime example. This space needs to cater to a lot of different scenarios, so comfy sofas with modular features work best as you can easily move them around the room to create the perfect setting for every occasion. Think modular in every room, and make sure that the focal point stands out in at least one of the three elements: color, texture, and/or pattern.
Layer accents and striking décor elements
No matter how beautiful and functional they might be, focal points alone are not enough to complete the up-scale vibe you’re trying to create. To achieve this, you will need to introduce complementary accents and décor elements that will a) complete the focal point, and b) shift the observer’s attention to other areas of the room and eliminate any monotony that might have settled in.
Luckily, there are many options at your disposal, as accents come in all shapes and sizes. You can choose comfy throws in complementary hues to decorate the sofa in the living room, or a chunky-knit blanket to adorn the armchair in the reading nook. Consider layering round rugs in every room to imbue the space with comfort and aesthetics, and don’t forget to add natural elements such as potted greenery and floral arrangements in key areas as well.
Keep it clean, airy and light
And finally, remember that healthy habits cost next to nothing, but can have a profound impact on the look and feel of your living environment. Be sure to keep the space clean at all times to prevent clutter from accumulating over time, and don’t forget to keep it airy and even light a scented candle on occasion to tease the senses. Let plenty of natural light permeates the interior throughout the day, and use accent lighting at night to guide your attention towards the focal points and other interesting elements. Perception, it’s one of the keys to luxurious interior design on a budget.
A rental apartment might not be yours on paper, but it is nonetheless your home. If you want to feel truly at home, though, you will need to decorate it in a way that speaks to your heart and unique sensibilities. Use these five tips and your rental will become a more luxurious setting you’ll definitely fall in love with.
