Tips Guides Resources

Condo renting is just like moving into a new house; it doesn’t truly become pleasant until you have decorated the space and turned it into a real home. The color palates of many condo rentals have a pale and institutional feel that just doesn’t convey a feeling of comfort. Installing new carpet, overhauling the bathroom, and painting are often out of the question, but this doesn’t mean you can’t transform your space. Here are a few ideas for turning a rented space into a place that really feels like home.

Changing The Appearance Of Flooring

Condo renting generally means living with the existing flooring, but that doesn’t mean you can’t spice things up. Using larger area rugs along with a high quality backing will help hide the carpet and add a cozy feel to your living space. It is particularly effective if you can use colors to connect the existing carpet to your furniture. Blankets work as an area rug, depending on the type of carpet underneath. You can also use rugs with laminates and hardwoods by ensuring it has the right backing on it to hold it in place.

Smart Furniture

If you can’t hide the existing flooring, consider attracting your eye elsewhere with great artwork and interesting furniture. Select furniture and accessories for the condo rental with bright colors and great color palettes. Personal photos and favorite collectibles can also help a great deal. Consider changing the hardware and fixtures when you are condo renting. Change them out for chic and stylish items that enhance your decor. You will want to store the originals and switch them back when you move. Just keep in mind that anything that is broken has to be replaced.

Dealing With Boring Walls

Depending on your property manager, you may be able to replace existing paint in a condo rental with muted color schemes. If this isn’t an option, there are ways of getting around this issue. Lean large pieces of art and pictures against the wall. For an interesting solution that adds warmth to a space, consider adding fabric over the existing walls. As an added benefit, this helps to cut down on sound escaping and entering the neighbor’s apartment. With permission, loosen any molding and staple the wall length fabric underneath or tack it in with a small board and small finish nails where the wall meets the ceiling. Silk flower garland also makes a great border to add life to a space when you are condo renting. If none of these ideas appeals to you, consider standing a set of dressing screens against the wall.

Temporary Bathroom Remodeling

Usually one of the worst spaces in a condo rental for decorating is the bathroom, but this too can be changed. Use tension rods to add a fabric skirt around a nasty bathroom sink. Spray adhesive that temporarily allows items to be stuck to the wall is great for adding water safe decor to shower walls since there are no worries about staining the surface or tearing off paint. Wicker baskets and organizational units can also be added to bathrooms to add organization and decor to the space. You can even paint these items to match your decor.

Just because you have a condo rental doesn’t mean you have to live with the stark, neutral tones these spaces are famous for. Condo renting is the perfect opportunity to get creative and add a personal touch to the space that you can take with you when you leave, if you can bear to move afterwards.

Christine O’Kelly is an author for Beal Properties in Chicago. Beal Property, LLC has more than 80 years experience with condo renting and property management. They have condo rental opportunities throughout the Chicago area.