When you buy a home, you can change it to meet your needs and tastes, but when you are renting it, you are limited in what modifications you can make to a rental home that reflect your style, unlike other generations, today’s renters have quite a few more options on things they can change, and best of all the change can be reversed when you go to move out. Many of the alterations, best of all, do not require a lot of skill and won’t break your budget. In today’s blog, it will explore some ways of transforming a space that was once terrible and gross to a space that looks sleek and bright.
1) Paint
The paint is fairly cheap. If done well and the color is neutral you might not need to paint it back. Paint can transform a tired, boring apartment rental into a space that is light and airy and feels like life really lives there. This living room went from sterile to a place with life.
This is the old Bedroom pictures
This is the same bedroom with some fresh paint and wall accents
2) Refreshing countertops
Same Kitchen tired and dated
Who doesn’t love the look of Marble or Granite, but your current kitchen you are looking at has Formica? Don’t go out and gut your current kitchen you don’t own. There are products that give the appearance of marble or granite, but all the product is contact paper sheet or paint kit. Both solutions you can buy on Amazon, and can cost you anywhere from $10.00-$70.00. A renter can also change out the backsplash. If the landlord dislikes it, you can change it back.
My client added a backsplash and made the Formica countertops look like granite or marble. The client has also started painting cabinets which she did get permission to do. Another change they made was updating the hardware in the kitchen. These small changes make this kitchen look like it was transformed into a brand-new kitchen. However, it is the same old kitchen with small easy touches, making a tired space feel like it has a life to it.
Same kitchen with fresh paint, Instant Granite Premium Kitchen Countertop Vinyl Laminate Cover, and Art3d 10-Sheet Peel and Stick Subway Backsplash
3) Accessorize the home
You don’t need to spend a fortune on furniture; you don’t need to spend a fortune on accessories to make your home feel like a home to you and others. Most of the time, it’s where furniture is placed in a room and other elements in the home a mirror there, a shelf in another place.
There are so many resources available to the consumer today: Pinterest, Apartment Therapy, HGTV, Instagram. There are plenty of resources, including Curate by SIR which can help you get ideas on space or help you style it, and you can even buy the furniture that you use when you virtually stage your home.
Same Livingroom space with the wrong size furniture, bad lighting
Fresh paint, tasteful, simple artwork, and appropriate furniture for the space.
Transforming an apartment rental from sad to fab
4) Change Hardware
Changing the hardware on drawers cabinets can make a space completely different. Painting or Staining cabinets with permission from your landlord can transform the living space. Shelving and adding mirrors and pictures can highlight the area or make it feel better than it is. 
5) Lighting
I am adding the right lighting to the space. It can be pretty simple and doesn’t require breaking the bank.
My client who rented this apartment spent very little to make this place look amazing.
Next time you see an apartment that isn’t perfect, when you walk into it try to imagine small, simple changes you can make.
Some of the best deals often are the ones that are not so obvious. If you’re looking to buy, rent or sell, contact me. If you don’t know where to start with space, don’t worry. I know a few interior designers who can also help.
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