Home is sweet regardless whether you rent or own. "You need to love where you live," says Lisa Worth, a designer at the Drapery Room in Aurora, Ont. But there are smart ways to express your design savvy in a rental abode knowing that down the road, what you can't take with you is an expense you can't recoup. Here's what the experts advise.
Don't hold off buying nice furniture
"Don't fill the space with substandard furniture because you plan to own someday," says Lara Neal of Lara Neal Design in Toronto. Go ahead now and spend money on good quality furniture, pieces you really like. "Otherwise when you do buy, you may find yourself having to furnish a whole home because the pieces you bought in your 20s and 30s are falling apart. And that's stressful."
Do make nice with your landlord
Lara and her husband were renters for many years. Because she maintained a good relationship with her landlord, she was able to provide input on design choices when upgrades were made in the bathroom. "You may be able to suggest a new faucet or sink or backsplash tile at a decent price that looks much better. Don't forget, your landlord wants the place to be rentable, too."
Don't wallpaper
"You really don't want to invest in wallpaper, even if your landlord okays it," says William MacDonald, designer at William MacDonald Interior Design in Toronto. Wallpaper can be pricey, and you'll likely face the hassle of taking it down before you leave. If you're looking to make a statement, try removable wall decals or wall tattoos, which are available at most home decor stores in a variety of patterns and colours.
Do paint
A $30 gallon of paint creates a powerful mood in a space, says Lara, adding that it's also an affordable way to inject your own personality into an apartment. Note: Be prepared to prime your walls before you move out, and get permission before painting anything.
Don't invest serious money in structural features
Pouring money into permanent structural elements, including crown moulding, hardwood floors, counters, etc, in an apartment simply isn't wise, contend our experts. One exception: the joy of gleaming cherry kitchen cabinets, for example, may be worth the price if you are planning on living in the rental unit for many, many years to come.
Decorating & Design - Styling Secrets
A guide to making all your design dreams come true in a rental space.
- Page 1: Furniture, wallpaper and paint
- Page 2: Flooring, lighting and hardware
5 Comments
Many apartments for rent in Toronto are excellent spaces to express your passion for interior design. But always make sure to check with your landlord prior to making any major changes, as you may not only incur the cost of installation, but also of removal of your artistic flourishes. When looking for apartments for rent in Toronto, always check the landlord's policy on renovations before you move in; sites like RentersPages.Com allow you to preview the space online with photos and video tours, and e-mail the property owner even before visiting to make sure that you're allowed to customize your apartment for rent.
Many apartments for rent in Toronto are excellent spaces to express your passion for interior design. But always make sure to check with your landlord prior to making any major changes, as you may not only incur the cost of installation, but also of removal of your artistic flourishes. When looking for apartments for rent in Toronto, always check the landlord's policy on renovations before you move in; sites like http://www.RentersPages.Com allow you to preview the space online with photos and video tours, and e-mail the property owner even before visiting to make sure that you're allowed to customize your apartment for rent.
Many apartments for rent in Toronto are excellent spaces to express your passion for interior design. But always make sure to check with your landlord prior to making any major changes, as you may not only incur the cost of installation, but also of removal of your artistic flourishes. When looking for apartments for rent in Toronto, always check the landlord's policy on renovations before you move in; sites like RentersPages.Com allow you to preview the space online with photos and video tours, and e-mail the property owner even before visiting to make sure that you're allowed to customize your apartment for rent.
Just the information I was looking for to supplement my site about flat screen <a href="http://www.safemount.co.uk">tv wall mounts</a>. Do you mind if I link to this page from my website?
Sorry, that should have been http://www.safemount.co.uk