DDL: Five Rules to Decorating When You’re Renting

So, you want to be living in the house of your dreams? Instead you find yourself in a rental space with a minefield of rules about what you can and can’t do to add a little je ne sais quoi to your home.

While rented accommodation usually includes things like lacklustre painted walls, ugly carpets, or limited natural light, we have 5 décor hacks that will help you make your apartment look and feel luxurious.

1. Even Rentals Deserve a Little Love
Yes, it’s not yours. And yes, your decorative investment won’t give you any financial benefits. But you should actually decorate your rental, even if it’s in small, temporary ways. Sure, you may not be here for long, but ignoring the things you dislike about your home and avoiding putting your mark on it is a sure-fire way to feel miserable when you walk in the door.

2. Storage is essential
Let’s get real, custom cabinetry is not an option if you don’t own the place. Since rentals usually lack storage, one of the most important apartment decorating ideas is getting creative with your storage solutions. If your landlord allows it, install some floating shelves as they’re easy to remove if necessary.

3. Colour is king
Can’t paint a wall? Create a curtain wall to enhance the space with some colour. Add your own personality with colourful artwork, pictures, plants, and hell, go crazy with a tea towel or two. A colourful accent chair or a bold bedframe can add the right kind of drama to any room. And a chic cowhide rug hides a multitude of flooring sins. The key is finding pieces that feel cohesive.

4. Avoid wallpaper, but…
Sure, it’s stylish. But in all honestly, wallpaper is really inconvenient to remove, especially if you won’t be in your place for long. But if you love the patterned look, try decals or temporary stick-on wallpaper – the options are endless these days. Besides, an accent wall can make a big difference to how bespoke your home looks and feels.

5. Attention is in the details
Replacing the door handles or cabinet knobs is a super-easy way of getting away from “builder basic” and adding your own personal style. Instead of investing in a total renovation of a kitchen or bathroom, just update the faucets to give it the refresh it needs. Simply stash the old ones somewhere safe and switch out when you move on.

Small things make a big impact whether you’re in a rental home, or forever home. But with some creative advice from décor specialists, you can have a home full of character that represents your family either way. DDL have a showroom in Kramerville, Sandton filled to the brim with inspirational ideas for custom-made furniture and décor accessories that will fit your lifestyle.

For more information on their full-service décor and design services, or to schedule a private consultation, call them on 011 262 5225.

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