How Do I... Cosy Up My Rented Home?
Follow these easy steps to cultivate a thoughtfully-styled home, even in a rented home
You can’t deny the power of a well-dressed living space – it motivates, inspires and showcases your unique decorating personality to the world. While there are limitations for renters to decorate to their heart’s desire, there are ways (yes, reversible ways) to jazz up your rental without jeopardising your rental deposit. Edoardo Arricale, creative director of furniture manufacturer Castlery, shares how it’s done.
Given its large surface area, rugs can enhance the colour palette of your living space. This makes it easy to change the colour scheme without resorting to permanent methods like paint or wallpaper.
Fancy storage
Using vertical wall space not only saves on precious real estate, it allows you to display your favourite possessions and decorative accents. Bookworms can endeavour to create a stunning home library!
The art of organising by colour
Using vertical wall space not only saves on precious real estate, it allows you to display your favourite possessions and decorative accents. Bookworms can endeavour to create a stunning home library!
The art of organising by colour
Arricale adds: “Open shelves can be used to display items that reflect your personality and yet complement the overall theme in a stylish fashion. An interior that looks lived-in is always cosier.”
Besides books, you can consider adding and layering small pieces of art, travel mementos, photo frames and baskets or boxes to store those small knick-knacks in good order.
Besides books, you can consider adding and layering small pieces of art, travel mementos, photo frames and baskets or boxes to store those small knick-knacks in good order.
Give books and favourite keepsakes a stylish home with the George Bookshelf (above), Campbell Shelf, Reed Highboard or Cliff Shelf, all from Castlery.
Can’t erect a feature wall for your rental? A store-bought shelf can take its place. Think of the composition and make sure the items have something in common : colour, style or theme.
Lighting difference
Since most rentals already come with installed lighting, the best option is to enrich it with loose light fixtures like floor or table lamps. Arricale says: “ Lighting can make a dramatic impact. Choose warm-toned or diffused lighting.”
Since most rentals already come with installed lighting, the best option is to enrich it with loose light fixtures like floor or table lamps. Arricale says: “ Lighting can make a dramatic impact. Choose warm-toned or diffused lighting.”
Table lamps are great as task lighting. This works when you need more light while reading or sewing and it’s a good idea to scatter a few around the living room. You can also opt for floor lamps which take up little space and will distribute light in awkward corners.
Arricale adds: “Floor lamps can help to frame a sofa setup and add a wow factor.”
Arricale adds: “Floor lamps can help to frame a sofa setup and add a wow factor.”
Sofa setups
The sofa is the crown jewel of the living room. You’d want to get the right one befitting the proportions of your available space. Arricale suggests leaving some breathing room around the sofa. It should not “take up almost the entire length of the wall”. “If you have a small space, pick a sofa with legs; the more floor area you see, the more spacious the interior will look.”
The sofa is the crown jewel of the living room. You’d want to get the right one befitting the proportions of your available space. Arricale suggests leaving some breathing room around the sofa. It should not “take up almost the entire length of the wall”. “If you have a small space, pick a sofa with legs; the more floor area you see, the more spacious the interior will look.”
Another tip he has is to match your sofa with furniture items near it. “Complement the legs of your sofa with your coffee table or TV console.”
To complete your sofa, throw in poufs and ottomans. Arricale says: “Side tables also make great finishing accents, can hold decorative items and manage clutter.”
The clean-lined profiles of the Lola Side Table (above) and Zayn Side Table (left) from Castlery make them versatile additions to most living rooms.
Welcoming accents
“To step into a cosy, inviting home is to feel taken care of,” says Arricale. Create a foyer at your entrance with a bench, coat rack or even a slim console if space is limited.
7 elements of a welcoming apartment entrance
“To step into a cosy, inviting home is to feel taken care of,” says Arricale. Create a foyer at your entrance with a bench, coat rack or even a slim console if space is limited.
7 elements of a welcoming apartment entrance
This Kurt coat rack is a multi-functional piece that lets you hang bags and jackets, store shoes and even have a seat for removing and putting on shoes comfortably.
A storage ladder makes a stylish yet practical option for extra storage at the front door. “A hallway mirror such as our Miles mirror is another item that can enhance living”, says Arricale.
TELL US
How have you personalised the decor in your rental? Share your ideas in the Comments section. And don’t forget to like, share or save this story. Join the conversation.
TELL US
How have you personalised the decor in your rental? Share your ideas in the Comments section. And don’t forget to like, share or save this story. Join the conversation.
Be it on hardwood floors or cold, tiled flooring, rugs bring a plush feeling underfoot that makes you feel at home immediately. An area rug outlines the space of your living area as well for that added sense of depth.