Practical and pretty: Making your rental apartment your own

Just because you rent rather than own does not mean your apartment should not feel like home. There are a lot of things you can do to personalize your unit to suit your needs and esthetic. Sure, you can’t knock down walls or upgrade your appliances, but there are still plenty of ways you can be both practical and stylish when it comes to furnishings and decor.

Shelve it
If you’ve got random items strewn about your apartment — books stacked on the floor, bins of miscellaneous items without a home, and such — buy some inexpensive shelves and bookcases (new or thrifted) to get things off the ground and organized. Shelves are great for books, knick-knacks, plants, framed photos, collectibles and candles. You can really get creative with your arrangement — grouping items by colour and style.

Declutter the floor
Whether you have a bicycle that’s taking up space on the floor or bins and boxes taking up precious square footage, it’s always a good idea to get as much up off the floor as possible. For the bike, get a wall-mounted rack so that you can store it vertically.

For other storage, try to consolidate as many items as possible. Use storage ottomans and benches that work as seating, so that the space isn’t wasted.

Less is more
If you have a huge desk that’s taking up 30% of your living room, consider something smaller — a narrow table with storage underneath will work if you want to create a dedicated workspace at home.

As for the television, ditch the wall unit and wall mount your set instead. Today’s technology is lighter and more compact, so you don’t need gigantic furniture to fit it all.

Increase bathroom storage
Apartments are notorious for having small bathrooms. Because of this, you need to get creative with storage to prevent the space from becoming overly cluttered. If you have room on the wall, add some floating shelves to store extra toiletries. As for personal care items, buy some dividers for your drawers and cupboards to keep items organized and accessible. Try to keep the little counter space you have clear — with just hand soap and maybe your toothbrush and toothpaste sitting on top.

Create dedicated spaces
If your living room, dining room and kitchen flow into each other, you will have the freedom to create rooms within the room. The way you position your furniture can create little nooks to allow for free movement, while making it clear that the living space is separate from the dining space.

Embrace natural light
Soft, natural light works wonders for creating a comfortable living space. Buy sheer curtains or blinds to allow light in during the day. You can layer a solid curtain over for more privacy.

For lamps, use warm coloured lightbulbs that mimic natural light.

With a bit of effort and creativity, you can transform your affordable rental unit into something that looks like it came straight out of a glossy home decor magazine. Start by decluttering, then add some stylish accents and make the most out of your available space without crowding it.

Looking for a place of your own to decorate? Find your perfect rental apartment using Gottarent.com . Whether you’re looking for a bachelor, one-, two- or three-bedroom unit, you can find an affordable place you will be proud to call home. Once you move in, you can start customizing it to suit your needs and personal style.