Top rental design dos and don'ts

Do try less expensive flooring options
Just can't stand the dated, filthy-looking hall linoleum? There are a number of affordable flooring options perfect for renters (get written permission from your landlord before embarking on any renovations). Carpet tiles provide a simple, comfy underfoot splash of personality. Water impervious woven vinyl floor covering called Bolon, cut to size, is great for bathrooms and kitchens. And so are peel-and-stick tiles, available at most major home improvement stores. Last but hardly least, rugs can cover up an ugly floor and help ground a room. "Most rugs will transfer smoothly to any future living space, too," adds Lisa. 

Don't invest in built-ins
Every renter is desperate for storage. But built-ins are too costly, and impossible to take with you. "You always have to think about what can go in a truck," says Lisa. Consider open shelving units, freestanding wardrobes or a piece of antique furniture that offers storage. And while you're at it, try to kill another bird (like an ugly structural feature such as kitchen cabinets, for example) with one stone: "Buy a basic pantry unit that you can paint to complement (or perhaps draw attention away from) your existing cabinets. Something idiosyncratic can become a focal point," says Shelley Kirsch of Shelley Kirsch Design in Toronto.

Do swap out lighting and hardware
Two smart rental design investments are lighting fixtures and cabinet hardware. Most apartments usually come with generic lights round ceiling fixtures with a screw cap), says Lisa. Swapping them out for a new or reclaimed antique fixture will change the whole look of a room. "Put them on a dimmer while you're at it," she adds. Dimmers are great for changing the atmosphere of a room, plus you'll save on your hydro bill. Just hold on to the old fixtures and replace them when you go. The same goes for the old hardware (but if you can't source new ones that match the existing drill holes, don't bother, says Lisa).

Don't sacrifice your personal design style
Express your adventurous design personality in accessories. Panel curtains are perfect because they move easily into your next place, says Lisa. ("You want to avoid window treatments that are measured to fit.") And you just can't beat the presence of artwork, which is an investment you can take with you.

Read more in Decorating & Design and Styling Secrets