Can’t paint the walls? No problem. These pops of colour require no landlord approval.
Living in a rental apartment can dampen your design options. With unchangeable fixtures and cabinets, bland paint colours, and the threat of losing your house deposit if you make changes. Therefore, a lot of renters suppress their personal style and settle for builder-grade basic.
However, it doesn’t have to be this way. By getting creative with your furniture and accessories, you can have a colourful and inviting home without sacrificing your deposit or infuriating your landlord.
Related: Upgrades that will jeopardize your house deposit
Add tone to the without painting
Many homeowners paint the walls as a relatively easy way to bring colour to space. But landlords and property managers often forbid changing a rental’s interior paint colour.
Think beyond paint, and you’ll discover a multitude of ways to dress up your walls without touching a paintbrush. The key is to think big.
Find large-scale art pieces that speak to your style and feature punchy colours. Collect snapshots in ombre frames of your favourite hue (instead of traditional black or white) and assemble a gallery wall.
Have an artistic streak? Design a painting on a large piece of canvas and tack it over an entire wall.
For those less artistically inclined, removable wallpaper in bright shades and eye-catching designs provide an instant pick-me-up. You can also cover entire walls or awkward spaces with a pretty patterned curtain or piece of fabric for a cosy bohemian vibe.
Cover the dull with colour
Rentals often come with outdated cabinets, fixtures, and flooring that can’t be altered. Beige, brown and off-white are the norm for these spaces, but that doesn’t mean you have to let it restrict your style.
Add visual interest and draw attention by bringing in splashy pieces of furniture and decor. Look for pieces in your favourite colour or choose a theme, like sunny yellow and coral, to drown out the dull.
Vibrantly painted wood chairs can give your dining space some zing. Or purchase a couch or chair in a daring tone like emerald or sapphire.
Don’t have a ton of cash to spend? Go DIY. Find furniture with good bones at your local thrift shop or garage sale, and give it a makeover. Use spray paint for smaller decor pieces and latex or chalk paint for dressers and side tables.
Add extra flair with stencilled details and paint-dipped legs. Line the backs of bookshelves with decorative paper, and temporarily replace boring kitchen and bathroom pulls and knobs with vibrant versions.
Soft goods, bold tones
Textiles in assorted colours will be your best friends for dressing up your outdated or dull apartment. Start with an inviting rug in a rich jewel tone or a trendy overdyed hue. And stay away from traditional curtains instead, opt for a bright colour or lively pattern.
The same goes for bedding. Forget the traditional go-to for duvet covers, pick a print or tone that will make your bedroom an energizing getaway or relaxing retreat. If you’re looking for a calm feel, search for a bed set in cool indigo or lavender. Want to make it upbeat instead? Try poppy colours like tangerine or sunflower.
Also, fun throw pillows and blankets will spice up your bed, couch, lounge chairs and more. Keep the colour trend going into the bathroom and kitchen by choosing pretty hand towels and bathmats.
Make it yours
Furthermore, by decorating the walls with custom artwork, bringing in attention-grabbing furniture, and using pretty textiles to boost the style factor, you can have a colourfully custom home without ever touching a drop of paint.
The key is moderation and intention. Stick with a few favourite shades and mix it up by using contrasts of those colours instead of pulling in every colour in the rainbow. Choose a few important parts to infuse with colour and let the rest blend in.
Moreover, you’ll be happier with the design boost, and your landlord will be glad you haven’t made any big changes. That’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.
Added tip: Put plants around the house. They will make your apartment colourful and give you fresher air.