There are stylish, affordable ways to personalize your rental apartment and make it feel uniquely YOUR home! You may know that we are renting our apartment in San Francisco and it is a reflection of our tastes and lifestyle. We just helped our son move into his new apartment in West Los Angeles and it’s definitely HIS home.
Ways To Personalize Your Apartment
Here are things that we did that you may want to do too (even if you aren’t renting)!
1. Paint the Walls
When we moved into our apartment, all the rooms were different colors like red, peach, and brown. We had to paint at our own expense (it wasn’t a renter’s market at the time). So we painted everything Benjamin Moore White Dove and I am glad wed did!
2. Change Light Fixtures
Here you can see our daughter, Alie, also painted her apartment BM White Dove and installed the Margarite Iron Chandelier (it’s black but I used Rub ‘n’ Buff in gold on the quatrefoils.
3. Work with Rugs
Rugs are something you can take with you if you move. I am not opposed to putting a fresh area rug on top of wall-to-wall carpeting in a rental place either. You can also layer a rug on top of a natural fiber rug as we did here…
4. Hang Your Art
Art on the walls warms up your home instantly! Our son, Tommy, got this vintage painting of a resort in San Bernardino, California from his grandmother. It was a gift to her husband from Conrad Hilton. It’s great if you can get family pieces (especially large scale), but if you can’t remember to group smaller art together.
5. IKEA Can Be Your Friend
Invest in the best quality you can afford, but when you have a lot to furnish at once, IKEA can come to the rescue. Tommy purchased the above reasonably priced sofa and chair from IKEA. You can change the covers to a different color down the road. I just can’t see buying a used sofa unless it’s from a close friend or family member. That green IKEA floor lamp was also a good price.
And I insisted on buying him this IKEA bistro furniture for his balcony. The weather is so good in West L.A.! I picture him having a beer here after work…or at least it’s a cute view from the living room. The table was discounted in the scratch and dent department (always worth checking) and I never found a scratch or dent on it.
6. Consider Removable Wallpaper
We added black and white checked removable wallpaper from Target to the back of our pantry. We also removed the pantry doors which we can put back on when we leave.
There are lots of places that removable wallpaper would work…like a nursery focal wall, back of a bookcase, or a powder room.
7. Use Accessories to Customize Your Apartment, Especially Family or Vintage Pieces
Tommy selected that antique print with me in Paris when he was about seven years old. The table and round placemats (disregard that cup mark on the table) were good deals at IKEA. The chairs were ours that I repainted a few years ago with chalk paint.
Group your collections together, or pieces from your travels to personalize your rental apartment as I have done here.
Those are Seven Stylish Ways To Personalize Your Rental Apartment!
You may also like: Five Steps To Organize A Rental Pantry
8 Surprisingly Inexpensive Ways To Organize Your Closet and
How To Make Your Home Look Expensive When You Are Starting Out
Karen B. says
Mary Ann,
Your son and daughter’s apartments (respectively) are great starter apartments and I love their style (with the help of mom). Fun post and very helpful information on ways to improve retals. Thank you.
xo,
Karen
Linda R Salazar says
Hi Mary Ann,
My daughter bought a couple Ikea pieces for their living room awhile back…they are actually quite nice. I think maybe their quality has improved over the years. They have two small kids so it is more practical for them right now. I’m sure Tommy appreciated your help. His place came out pretty darn nice!
Linda
Nancy Goldstein says
I enjoy your blog and have purchased some of the items you have featured! A while back you showed your sofas that you slip covered, I love the blue that you used ! Are they custom or ready made slip covers?
Mary Ann Pickett says
They were custom made. I wish I would have used a sun-resistant fabric though.
Melba says
Great tips Mary Ann! I can’t wait to help my daughter with her Washington DC apartment in the Fall! Will use your suggestions!
Mary Ann Pickett says
So exciting, Melba!
AlliOaktree says
Looks like a great apartment.
I have been rearranging my bookshelves to make them look a little more cohesive and i love that you have the book spines facing inward so that the off white paper shows- trying it at home.
Mary Ann Pickett says
That sounds like a fun project!
Linda Johnston says
IKEA is wonderful for those starting out or in need of style but affordable furniture and accessories. I sent this link to my daughter who is returning to campus and a different furnished apartment. She always likes to elevate her living space’s style in the dorm and in campus and student apartments. And of course her room at home. Inspiration is always good!
Happy 4th!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Yes…so many cute things for starting out…Tommy got some great dishes and glasses there too.
Linda Henderson says
It is so fun to read your blog and I really enjoy the photos. Inspiring! Thanks.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks!
Vanessa Boltz says
I have enjoyed your blog for awhile now and love all your tips and recommendations!
Great job on your son’s apartment. Wondering which IKEA sofa did you decide to purchase?
Thanks!
Mary Ann Pickett says
It is the Finnala sofa, Vanessa.
Deborah says
Wait, no pictures of the pantry and closet to showcase Howard’s and Alie’s talents. 🙂
Mary Ann Pickett says
I know! I wasn’t sure Tommy would appreciate me showing his closet but I should have gotten a couple of his sort of dated kitchen.
Gail says
How fun, family teamwork and I’m sure Tommy really appreciates all your hard work. It sure looks great. Wish I had a place to put that chandelier from Lumens, it’s always been a favorite of mine since I saw it in your Lido house. Great job!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks, Gail. I think Tommy is really happy.
Karen B. says
We are in a rental and it’s been fun putting our style into the house. I love the tips you’ve given us. Fortunately, our home was painted white throughout so we didn’t have to paint. 🙂
Congratulations on your son’s apartment, it looks great. (it takes a village/family, right?)
xo,
Karen
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks, Karen!
Debbie says
Sounds like that was some great team work🙌. Quite the bachelor pad, looks great!
Mary Ann Pickett says
He likes it and it’s just about a 10-minute bike ride to the beach!