This post is all about the renter friendly decorating rule I swear by to make an apartment feel like a home. This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to use my links to purchase certain items, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. I appreciate your support.
Most renter friendly decorating advice focuses on temporary fixes like peel-and-stick wallpaper, tiles, or backsplash, removable command strips and hooks (which, by the way, you may be better off using a nail, but that’s a topic for another day:), or other “rental safe” upgrades. While these things can help make your apartment a little more “you”, they still do not make it feel like home.
I have found that this one simple renter friendly decorating rule has changed the game for me. It has taken my apartments from just being the next place I’m living in to feeling like home. In my dinky opinion, when you rent long term, your rental needs to feel like home, because well, it is home.
The one renter friendly decorating rule I swear by: Cohesion
Cohesion not only elevates a space; it also makes it feel intentional and grown-up. Which, I imagine, that’s the look we’re all going for… It gets rid of that “I’m using a bunch of hand-me-downs”, look we may have all started with. That stage is fine, and it has its place, but eventually, as long-term renters, we need to start decorating in a way that feels thought out. But what does this even mean?
The simplest way to apply cohesion is with color:
So I basically chose a color that I laced through my apartment. I went with peachy, coral, and terracotta. I feel like these colors complement one another while still having variation, so it’s not one color I have to match perfectly every time I buy anything.
I got towels, bedding, kitchen items, throw pillows, and decor items that could go with these colors or complement them.
Apply cohesion with sets:
Now I hesitate to say this because gone are the days where you absolutely have to have every dish in your kitchen from the same supplier. A curated look alone looks expensive and like you have a clue as to who you are and what you’re doing. But… getting a few items in a line that complements your other items, I say, is a total “do”. These are some of the items I may spend more on because I buy less of them, and I’m just lacing them in to elevate the “quality” of my space.
As shown above, I did this with solid marble coasters and a marble trivet from Magnolia. They’re heavy-duty and will not go unnoticed when people are over because these people had better be picking one up for their sweaty drinks before placing them down on my counters and tables, LOL!
Apply cohesion with textures:
This one, I think, is the most fun and the easiest to sprinkle around the house without having to search high and low. I did this with fluting. I looked for fluted glasses, vases, serving dishes, plant pots, and decor pieces. I love that they have a high-end look even though they’re simple everyday pieces that I needed anyhow.
But remember, you can choose anything, like certain materials such as linen or muslin, or embroidered pieces. The list can go on and on, and this is where your personality and style can shine. Choose a few things and sprinkle them about.
Apply cohesion with finishes:
So this is pretty simple. Most rentals have finishes already in place. That said, switching out hardware and faucets, or adding curtain rods, are rental-friendly upgrades we can take advantage of. So I say, pick a finish, or two, (hey, mixing metals is okay these days, if you know what you’re doing) and make those changes!
I’m in the process of adding bronze and copper to my kitchen. This Magnolia Copper Mixing Bowl Set is on my current “wish list”. But so far, I have purchased this super affordable bronze stainless steel flatware set from Walmart that looks high-end:
A bit of caution: Be careful not to just buy things because they match your color or theme. Each item you bring into rentals, you have to LOVE. It’s better to buy things slowly and let your place slowly come to life than to buy a ton of decor you barely like. In small spaces, we cannot afford to do that.
Does this renter friendly decorating rule still work if my style evolves or changes?
YES! Styles are always changing and evolving, and so are we. The idea is to make small changes little by little. This makes it more affordable and attainable, instead of being frustrating.
And remember: It’s okay not to box yourself into one style. Mine has like 3-4 styles going on, easily. You know what, no one cares, and most people walking into your home probably do not appreciate home decor as much as you do. All they know is that your place looks nice, and they may not be able to do that themselves. They don’t have to know you’re transitioning your style, they’ll just think, “Cool place, it’s so them.”
Anyhow, I have fallen in love with coastal New England since COVID times and while the coastal cottage style isn’t really my vibe, there are bits and bobs from that style I do actually like (see above). So you know what? I don’t have to do an overhaul and start shiplapping my walls to make a go of it and scream from the rooftop that my style is now coastal cottage, because it’s really not. I’m simply grabbing small pieces I like or developing photos that I LOVE and weaving them into my current style throughout my place.
So far, I feel like it’s working okay…
you don’t need to change everything when your taste changes. Gradually weave in new colors, materials, and decor pieces into what you already own until your home naturally evolves.
That’s a wrap on my renter friendly decorating rule that I live by.
I hope you fellow renters found this post helpful. I thought it was a good topic because if you’re a millennial renter like myself, many of our friends and family members own homes and can redecorate with renovations. We on the other hand, have to create a polished grown-up look pretty much entirely with styling, color, texture, and finishing touches. Which we can totally do, and implementing a cohesive style will help you to do just that.
If you are still here, thank you for reading. Feel free to follow me on Instagram and YouTube as I slowly work to grow. I appreciate your support and welcome questions and DMs.
Happy cohesive shopping 🙂
This post was all about the rental friendly decorating rule I swear by to turn your apartment into a home.
You May Like…
13 Organizing Ideas For a Small Rental Kitchen
How To Brighten A Dark Room | 7 Renter Friendly Tips
