Living in a rented apartment may limit you from making drastic modifications to your home, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t personalise your space according to your tastes and lifestyle. After all, can you really call a place ‘home’ if you don’t even like the way it looks and feels?
So without further ado, check out these super easy and inexpensive interior decorating tips by Priscilla Tan, Interior Stylist for interior design blog, STYLEDBYPT:
- Add a personal touch or design with simple objects
- Add carpets and rugs
- Add storage space
- Experiment with lights
- Add textiles
- Get furniture with ‘legs’
- Plan your decorating budget
- Add some plants
- Use removable wallpapers or wall decals
1. Add a personal touch or design with simple objects
One simple way to add personality is by putting up your favourite photos and art — they bring in colour, pattern and texture to an otherwise dull wall. This simple trick allows you to create a feature wall instantaneously. Plus, it’s easy to swap up the artworks for a new look.
If there’s no room for you to hang your artworks, you could also consider decorating a room by leaning objects against the wall, such as mirrors and ladders. Mirrors create an illusion of depth to a room by making it appear larger, while you can decorate the ladder with colourful scarves, bags and rugs to add interest to the space.
Another trick is to lean art against a wall or a side table. You can move it to a new location or reposition them if you ever feel like redecorating. This is the easiest way to display your favourite artworks without having to put any nails into the wall.
2. Add rugs or carpets to differentiate spaces at home
Rugs and carpets are an inexpensive way to help you create zones between different rooms. They also add warmth and comfort to your home. Priscilla recommends investing in a good quality one, so you won’t have to worry about replacing it so soon, and can take it with you to your next home.
As an added bonus, using a carpet or rug will protect the floor from spills and wear and tear, which you’ll be grateful for when it’s time to get your bond back!
3. Add storage space
Many rental properties lack storage space which can make your home feel cluttered and messy. One way to unclutter your home is to include furniture or accessories that can help with storage space.
For example, a television cabinet with storage helps to hide unsightly cables and wires, while a coffee table with a lid and storage inside is handy to place items you don’t use often. Bookshelves, meanwhile, are ideal for decoration and storage.
Consider mixing the bookshelves up by displaying objects of different shapes and sizes. For example, you can organise your books based on their colour, and have other shelves dedicated to showing some of your favourite items to create different effects.
4. Experiment with lights
With the right room lighting, any room can be instantly transformed. Cleverly-placed floor lamps and pendant lights can give your room different layers of mood and tone. Experiment with different angles, light sources and light colours to suit your style.
5. Add textiles
Textiles like pillows, blankets, rugs, carpets, window treatments and wall art are also simple ways to change the look of your home. The type of colour and fabrics that you use will change the mood of your space. For example, soft colours will give your home a subtle and muted look, while bold colours make your home more vibrant.
6. Get furniture with ‘legs’
The type of furniture in your home not only has a strong influence on the appearance of your home, but the overall vibe as well. One way to create more an illusion of a bigger space, is to use furniture with ‘legs’. Furthermore, it’s easier to vacuum and clean under the furniture too.
7. Plan your budget
While everyone wants to have a cosy home, things can spiral out of control if you don’t set aside a budget. This helps you to determine your overall decorating idea so you can decide what you can afford.
Make a wishlist of the things you want, then go bargain hunting in order to get the most out of your buck. Never skimp on decorations as they are as important as good quality furniture.
8. Add some greenery to your home
Adding plants to your home helps to bring warmth and life. The key to decorating with plants is that you should never use just one. Either use them as a balanced pair in corners or entryways, or layer multiple plants of various sizes. Keep the colour of the leaves complementary. For example, use light green foliage together for a tropical look or dark greens for a more modern or sophisticated style.
9. Use removable wallpapers or wall decals
If you want to avoid the expense and work of painting, consider applying wallpapers. From decals to temporary stick-ons, wallpapers come with a variety of effects, designs and colours. You can instantly create an accent wall and transform the look and feel of your home. Plus, they’re relatively easy to install (and remove) and inexpensive too!
Find the right rental apartment on PropertyGuru
From private condos to HDB flats, find all available rental homes in Singapore on PropertyGuru.
