Week 1 we covered the walls, literally.
Week 2 we talked about how to find a great deal on furniture.
This week we’re talking about tying everything together.  Make that rental feel less temporary and more like home.

You know people’s houses you walk into and instantly feel relaxed and like you could curl up on the couch and hang out?  Don’t you want that your friends to say that about your house?
Here are some tips that I have used in my own apartment to make if feel more like home.

• Lighting – I tend to dislike over head lighting, unless it has a dimmer.  Just because there is a light on your ceiling or ceiling fan doesn’t mean you have to use it.  No one ever feels comfortable in fluorescent, harsh lighting.  It gives off a strange blue-ish hue and we want our homes warm and cozy right? Right!
  Adding some lamps or changing the light fixture can make a huge transformation in a space!   My apartment came with only 1 wall mounted light in the living room.  The fixture was absolutely horrible, but guess what is needed to change that?  A screw driver!  Simply unscrew the fixture, put it in a safe place (mine is under the sink), and then put it back before you move out!
  I instead hung a basket that I found in the trash (see it pays to walk down the street and glance around in people’s trash cans! ha!).  It worked out perfectly and I love the warm glow it gives of now.

  

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• Storage- remember those plastic storage containers we all had in college?  Don’t put those in your home and call it storage!  You don’t necessarily have to throw them out, but there are ways to disguise them.  One of my favorite things is to put a curtain around your desk.  I did this in my bedroom in high school.  I found this amazing butterfly and floral vintage skirt at a thrift store but it didn’t fit so I cut it up the back seam, kept the top and bottom hem in place and hot glued it to the underside of my desk.  It looked awesome.  Unfortunately I don’t have a picture, but lots of other people have had the same idea.  It’s a great way to hide all your junk!

  

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  Other ways to maximize on storage is baskets.  You can find baskets cheap at the dollar store or second hand store.  They don’t need to match.  Put them on your book shelves, desk, counter top, beside the couch, wherever you need to catch and collect the junk laying around your house.  They will look nice and hide your bills, magazines, and other random items.
  Be creative with your storage!  Have a vintage suitcase?  Fill it with your extra sheets or out of season clothing and prop it at the end of your bed.  Cute and practical!

  

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• Adding yourself to the mix- You need to put your own mark on your home.  Sure you selected the colors, the furniture, and the storage solutions, but what makes this space uniquely your own?  And by “your” I mean your family.  Your husband, children, pets, etc.  There are several ways to do so easily and simply.
  1. Pictures -  I always think it’s strange when I go into someone’s home and all they have on the walls is generic art work.  There is no personality in that!  Proudly display your family photos!
  2. Art – ok so maybe you need some art.  Chose art that is going to inspire you.  Don’t just pick a picture of a landscape or a flower if it has no meaning and don’t just buy something because it matches the color scheme.  It doesn’t have to be expensive or even an original piece.  If you’re 5 yr old draws you a picture you love frame it!
  3. Collections – I can’t be the only one who collects things, right? I have sea shells, sea glass, bottles, books, and other random knick knacks I’ve collected over the years and they all have a story.  I collect these things because they are important to me and I have them displayed around my home so I can enjoy them all the time!

• Plants – I heard once that a room is never complete unless it has something green and living in it.  It is so true for me!  I love being surrounded by life.  You know how a room feels so great at Christmas with a tree?  Or how fresh flowers make you unexplainably happy? Why not have a potted palm or fern growing in your space year round?  It makes a room feel fresh and a splash of green color never hurt anyone!  I think this is especially important if you live in a city.  Don’t have a green thumb?  Get a cactus!

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