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Lessons I’ve Learned After Renting for 4 years

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CHELSEY

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Hi, everyone! With everything going on right now, I am amazed (and a bit proud of myself) that I had a moment to sit and write this post. Also, I hope everyone likes the new website layout 🙂 I decided it was time for a change with all the new content that’s live. It feels a bit more navigable and modern which I obviously love.

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Struggle to decorate your rental apartment or studio apartment? Decorating your rental apartment, on a budget, can be super easy with these helpful tips. Here is what I learned after renting for 4 years: #studioapartmentideas #studioapartmentdecorating #rentaldecorating #rentalapartmentdecorating #rentalhomedecoratingdiy #smallapartmentdecorating #smallapartmentideas

It’s almost my 4-year renting anniversary and I figured a great way to celebrate was to talk about all the lessons I’ve learned throughout the years. More people than ever are renting now, yet most aren’t putting the love into their homes that they should! Just because your a renter does NOT mean that your house isn’t your home. (First lesson right there LOL).

Switch out the hardware:

As soon as you move into a new home, the easiest and one of the most impactful changes you can make is to switch out the hardware. Not just in your kitchen, but your bathroom and closet doors as well! Just make sure you switch it back upon moving out!

Struggle to decorate your rental apartment or studio apartment? Decorating your rental apartment, on a budget, can be super easy with these helpful tips. Here is what I learned after renting for 4 years: #studioapartmentideas #studioapartmentdecorating #rentaldecorating #rentalapartmentdecorating #rentalhomedecoratingdiy #smallapartmentdecorating #smallapartmentideas

Don’t let renter-restrictions prevent you from decorating:

Rester-restrictions can be scary- but they aren’t the end of the world. You can do almost anything to a rental with a lot of creativity and a little budget! For example, I always dreamed of having wainscoting in my home, but applying real wainscoting is a permanent project. As an alternative, I was able to fake it with a few budget-friendly tools. AND it looks just like the real thing! Another example is this marble kitchen. Before, it was just bland and boring. Marble contact paper and a removable backsplash completely transformed this kitchen into a luxe space that I can be proud to cook in!

Struggle to decorate your rental apartment or studio apartment? Decorating your rental apartment, on a budget, can be super easy with these helpful tips. Here is what I learned after renting for 4 years: #studioapartmentideas #studioapartmentdecorating #rentaldecorating #rentalapartmentdecorating #rentalhomedecoratingdiy #smallapartmentdecorating #smallapartmentideas

Have open communication with your landlord:

Sometimes, your landlord will let you do more to your space than what’s in the lease. All you have to do is ask! I was under the impression that I wasn’t allowed to drill holes into the ceiling until my super told me it was 100% fine. This allowed me to hang a chandelier in my space, which completely transformed the look of it! In fact, I don’t even have to fill the hole in upon moving out. How amazing is that? Another thing to note: Sometimes landlords will let you upgrade certain aspects of your home such as the light fixtures, cabinets etc. as long as you’re spending you’re own money. Again, all you have to do is ask! The worst they can say is “no.”

Struggle to decorate your rental apartment or studio apartment? Decorating your rental apartment, on a budget, can be super easy with these studio apartment ideas. Here is what I learned after renting for 4 years: #studioapartmentideas #studioapartmentdecorating #rentaldecorating #rentalapartmentdecorating #rentalhomedecoratingdiy #smallapartmentdecorating #smallapartmentideas

Moving? Make sure to plan the new apartment before the big day:

This is probably the most important lesson I’ve learned. If you’re moving, it’s essential to plan the decor and furniture placement BEFORE the big day. This allows you to immediately move right in and have the movers place your furniture exactly where you want it to go. Another tip: Make sure all new furniture is delivered to your OLD place and put together before the move. I know this sounds crazy but hear me out: If you wait to assemble all your new furniture at your new home, you’re going to be waiting days or weeks until you’re settled in. Having everything ready before you move ensures that your new home can be put together in a matter of hours. Yes, this may mean having to rent a larger moving truck, but I promise, it’s SO worth it.

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Do you have any renter lessons you’ve learned over the years? Let me know them down below!

Read the Comments +

  1. Julie Briones says:

    I’ve learned that if there isn’t enough cupboard space in the kitchen, make sure you have a place to put a portable island or sideboard. 😉 Thanks for sharing, girl!

  2. Joni Ryder says:

    Where were you when I rented my first apartment 57 years ago? Just the smallest change can make a rental feel like your home – no matter what your age. Great article.

  3. Poppy says:

    Thou it said: “no access to the yard” in the lease, I asked my landlord if it was possible to make a flower garden. Not only did he said yes, he also bought me a compost bin.

  4. Laura says:

    I’m planning on using a lot of the hook & loop command strips. I see a lot of people recommending contact paper or removable adhesive backsplashes and whatnot, but I’d be too afraid of spending days scrubbing residue or having it pull off finishes after it’s been on there for a year.

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Hi, I'm Chelsey

I’m an interior decorator, author, and “heirloom hunter”, discovering and returning lost family artifacts along my search for home accents. I'm also a dog mom, and very well aware there are some people who just follow me for him.

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