Hello hello, and welcome to Episode 28 of Life On the Brink!
Today we've got a really fun, idea-sparking episode because we're talking about home decor! And specifically, we’re talking about rented spaces.
Whether you live in a rented apartment like me, or maybe you're in a dorm room or temporary home, there are so many things you can do to brighten up your space and make it feel like HOME.
Since this is a podcast about embracing your everyday life and enjoying it to its fullest, it only makes sense that we should talk about the space that you live in, where you relax and recharge. So even if you rent your home (or simply don’t want to enter full-scale renovation yet), by the end of this episode you’ll be able to make your home into a sanctuary of your own, completely cozy and unique to you.
I think it's become really clear in the past year (ahem, quarantine) just how important it is to feel at home in your space. No matter your work situation, we have spent so much time at home in the past year, and it became so clear how the vibe of your living space can really change your attitude, focus, and energy level. So now more than ever, I highly advocate for making a space, even if it’s temporary, your own.
I currently live in a rented, 888-square-foot apartment with my husband. It has 2 bedrooms (one is an office), one bathroom, beautiful hardwood floors, and a little garden bed. It definitely has the potential to be completely utilitarian or boring as everything is a slight off-white cream color and it doesn’t have a ton of natural light. Still, in the year or so that I’ve worked on it, I can confidently say that it is now a beautiful, cozy, inviting space that Josh and I, as well as our friends and family, love spending time in. All it took were some simple swaps and creative details, and today I’m sharing them with you!
What’s in my teacup? This Organic Turmeric Ginger Green Tea from The Republic of Tea
MY TIPS TO MAKE YOUR (RENTAL) SPACE A HOME:
- Use the power of paint. Paint is nothing new, but it's probably the #1 most-effective way to change a room. I've found that most places will let you paint as long as you paint it back when you’re done (or pay a fee to have it repainted), and simply changing the color of a wall can make your home feel so much more inviting, spacious, cozy, vibrant, or whatever you want!
- Try some removable wallpaper. I did this on two small walls in our living/dining space and it completely transformed the vibe of the room. You'll have to dedicate a few hours to putting it up, but these days you can find wallpaper in all colors and prints, and it comes right off whenever you leave.
- Don’t undervalue window treatments. Every window needs curtains, in my opinion. They add such a necessary softness and instantly make the room more inviting. And if you use your blinds (I don't, usually), consider swapping them out if the ones in your apartment feel too harsh. I changed the blinds in my bedroom for a double-panel bamboo blind that is so so so much better, and it wasn't at all difficult to switch.
- Have fun with lighting. Sometimes you can't help the lighting situation in certain rented rooms (my kitchen lights are pretty harsh), but when you can, make it your own! I swapped out the pendant light in our dining room with a chandelier, which elevates the space and looks lovely with our wallpaper. Plus, I have plenty of cool lamps all over the apartment to make the lighting softer in the evening. The possibilities are so endless and make such a difference.
- Make the most of your outdoor spaces. Whether you have a small garden bed like me, or a balcony, or even a sunny window, I highly recommend making the most of it. If you have an outdoor space that you love going to and can make it a part of your daily routine, it is so refreshing! Even a cozy reading nook by an open window helps to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor relaxation, so take full advantage of what you have.
- Bring in plants. We all know that plant and spending time in nature helps reduce stress and boosts your mental state, so why not bring that magic into your home? You don't have to be a master gardener to enjoy a bit of plant life that not only purifies your air, but also adds a bit of life (and a gorgeous pop of green). Even if you think you have a "black thumb,", I promise there is a perfect plant for you.
- Add depth and coziness with textiles. We're talking rugs, blankets, pillows, all that softness. Even if you have neutral walls, floors and furniture, you can add so much life with simple accents here and there. I love our hardwood floors, and the rugs that we've chosen to accent our space are just the right amount of cozy, I think. And I also love to switch out pillow cases and throws seasonally, adding a bit more depth and richness of color during the colder months.
- Let the decor reflect YOU. Trends will come and go, and while it’s great to look around for inspiration, ultimately your space should be unique to you. After all, you’re the one who’s going to live there! As a small note, I will also include the fact that I love seeing personal photos displayed in people's homes, and I'm really making a point of trying to display happy moments in my own home through photos.
- Don’t be afraid to make a home. I think it’s easy to think, “Oh, well, I’m only gonna live here for a year or two,” and not make your rental space your own, but think about how much time you spend at home. Home is a sanctuary, or it can be, and I would argue that having a place where you feel perfectly at home, at ease with your space and yourself, is worth the little investment of time and energy.
Think about your favorite coffee shop. Most likely, you're not going there just because they have good coffee (even though that's important too) There's probably also something about the ambience that you really like: maybe you're able to work really well there or maybe you're able to relax, so why not take some of those same principles into your home?
I hope you're inspired to make your space, wherever you are, a place where you can feel perfectly yourself and can enjoy your everyday.
More renter-friendly inspiration:
This Week’s Little Joy: My local library! I had no idea how much I missed this. During most of 2020 I couldn’t even go inside the library, so imagine my joy when I went in to return a book for Josh this past week (without needing a mask!) and I started to browse the shelves. I’m in the midst of a personal reading revival, so the sight of row after row of books was again comforting, rather than overwhelming. I only went home with three books, but I know that I’m going to enjoy visiting many times this season.
What I’m Listening To: I'm really enjoying these playlists that Audrie Storm makes on her Youtube channel. They're nice collections of lo-fi tunes made into hour-long videos, and I like that she always credits the artists. I can put these on while I'm cleaning, cooking, working, and they add a nice mellow touch in the background.
As always, thank you so much for listening, feel free to comment your ideas below, and have a lovely week, friends!