Styling Your Rental Space To Feel Like Home!
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Rental life...It can seem a bit strange living in someone else's house right?! And even more challenging to make it truly feel like YOUR home!
Our recent move from Adelaide, where we owned and built our home, to Brisbane where we now live in a rental property, has been a fun little adventure for our family. So now, after a few months of living in our queenslander rental, I can share a few of my styling hints and tips to help make your space feel cosy, homely and reflect YOU without annoying your landlord! Or maybe you're not a renter, but more of a serial room restyler? Great! Then read on for more.
Looking for a rental? Here are a few "nice to have" features
When we were first on the rental property search, I definitely tried to seek out properties with nice and must haves.
Firstly, natural light! Natural light can absolutely make or break a home. Having bright spaces can make a home feel clean, bright and fresh. So large windows in all spaces was essential.
Secondly, white walls! This means you'll have a completely blank canvas and can make your existing possessions work within the space. Imagine if there was bright purple walls....nothing would work with this.
And thirdly and most importantly, a dishwasher! This was an absolute non negotiable! Less time doing the dishes = more quality time with my babes!
Lets Start With The Floor
Ahhh rental carpet/floors....generally tired and not the most fresh looking things in a rental property. Rugs can instantly transform any space and they're such a cheap and easy way to cover those sad and uninspiring looking floors.
I like to choose large rugs that run wall to wall. Using a simple jute rug from IKEA can help create a base for another rug to layer on top! Here in Jack's room, I have opted to layer two Moroccan style rugs from Adairs, this really adds so much warmth, texture and volume to his room (yes volume!). Choosing smaller rugs can actually make a space feel small, so if you choose that larger sized rug it will open up your room and make it feel so much bigger than it actually is.
No more BARE WALLS!
Just because your renting doesn't mean NO artwork allowed. Blank walls drive me CRAY CRAY! Luckily there are so many awesome adhesive products that elimate banging a nail into your wall! NO MORE ANGRY landlords and hello beautiful artwork.
Here in Jack's room, I have used the 3M brand of adhesive hooks. Hint, I always opt for the stronger weighted hooks to make sure that no pictures come crashing down.
I have also applied some hanging timber hooks. With these, I specifically used the 3M Command Brand, Picture Hanging Strips which are surprisingly strong and are a good option to use; even for small timber bookshelves or coat racks.
Hint: Most of my original artwork was in large frames with glass. I still wanted to hang all my art around my home, so for some of my favourite pieces, I have changed the frame over to a frame that has Perspex (which is basically plastic looking glass). By doing this, it really reduces the weight of the picture frame and allows me to use the sticky hooks to hang them up.
Texture and More Texture... oh And Patterns
Including baskets, throws and cushions add instant comfort. I've dressed Jacks bed with a simple classic striped doona cover from IKEA which is a neutral base to add patterns and prints with throws and cushions. Adding layers to any bed offers that lux, lived in feel. Adding varying patterns and textures (in the bed throws) adds warmth and cosy vibes.
Soft Lighting
So many homes these days are lit with powerful bright LED lights. We changed out the bright white LED lights for softer warmer globes. If you can't change out the globes try using lamps instead, it will create calmer, softer spaces. NO bright fluros please!
Plants Please
Where do I start with plants. Plants are so important in our homes. Not only do they look gorgeous but they purify the air, boost your mood, boost productivity and creativity, reduce stress, reduce noise levels and add life to a sterile interior!
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