When your home sweet home is a rental
Peel-and-stick wallpaper can add a splash of personality to your rental home — without causing any damage.
SANDPOINT — What if your home, sweet home is, well, a rental?
One of the perks of homeownership means being able to paint the wall any color you want and make any number of design choices. But what if, like many in North Idaho, you are a renter?
With a little creativity, Nikki Luttmann of Seven Bee Interiors said there are a multitude of ways to turn that same rental into a home — all without breaking the bank. From painting to peel-and-stick wallpaper to fun artwork, turning the blank canvas into an oasis.
1. Paint
Just like in a home you own, paint can be the quickest way to set the mood and instantly transform a space. And while renters often assume that option isn't open to them, Luttmann said it often surprises renters what happens when they do ask.
"While some landlords don’t allow painting your rental, some may be surprisingly supportive of a fresh coat of paint, particularly if the walls are a bit dingy," the interior designer and Realtor. "Of course, don’t paint anything without asking, but you can always ask to see if your landlord is open to the idea."
Luttmann suggests if landlords are open to the idea, offering to use an acceptable neutral color — no wild jewel tones — might clinch the deal. Some great colors include Benjamin Moore’s Simply White, Sherwin-William’s Greek Villa and Behr’s Dove.
"Your landlord might even spring for the cost of the paint if you are willing to put in the work to get it done," Luttmann said.
2. Wallpaper
Like painting, many renters automatically cross wallpaper off the list of ways to add a pop of personality. That, Luttmann said, is a mistake. After all, she notes, the wallpapers of the past didn't include peel-and-stick wallpapers and backsplashes. From local stores to online sites such as Spoonflower and Tempaper & Co, there are thousands of options to pick from and, thanks to sites like YouTube, videos abound on how to make sure the install is a success.
"Be warned that some wall textures are a little trickier to work with than others," Luttmann said. "This option works best for single accent walls in a rental, rather than trying to cover a whole room, but a little wallpaper can really add a lot of personality with color and pattern."
3. Window covering
Not a fan of the sterile and less-than-beautiful mini-blinds that came to the fore in the 1990s — stark, bland and a dust magnet.
"Oftentimes these can be easily removed and replaced with a cute curtain held in place by a simple tension rod," Luttmann said.
Just be sure, she adds, to save the old blinds for when you’re ready to move out and to replace them before you leave.
4. Room reimagining
While some rentals, especially those in apartment complexes, feature a basic floorplan, some — especially those in older homes — are a bit more creative in their layouts. Translation: Just because someone else had a dining room in one area, doesn't mean you have to as well. Want to swap a bedroom for an office or create a music space in a corner that "tradition" says should house a potted plant? Follow your instincts, Luttmann said.
"Either way, experiment with furniture placement and room use until you feel like the space is suitable to your needs and lifestyle," Luttmann said.
That might include switching the dining and living spaces, or turning a bedroom into an office. Or, she added, it might be using a spare corner as a music room or an entry/foyer as a library.
"Get creative," Luttmann.
5. Plant power
House plants and fresh flowers are one of the easiest and best ways to make a house feel like a home, Luttmann said. A small plant, cut flowers from the garden, pick your favorite colors, shade and varieties and bring a little bit of the outside inside.
"A simple orchid on a dining table might create a lovely focal point, and a beautiful bouquet on an entry table will welcome you when you walk in after a long day at work," she added.
6. Artwork
Nothing adds personality more than artwork — whether it's a poster of your favorite sports team or band — or a fun find at a thrift store or a local art gallery. Find and hang art pieces that you can take with you such as large-scale artwork or fun framed posters, Luttmann said.
"Artwork adds personality and color and can really brighten a space that feels ho-hum," Luttmann said. "These pieces can often be found inexpensively at antiques or thrift stores. CAL’s Bizarre Bazaar, Marketplace Antiques, and The Cottage Thrift Store are some of my favorite places to find unusual pieces of art."
