Apartment Living & Decorating

Lease Limitations

Before beginning any type of renovations on your rental space, consult your lease agreement. While some leases allow for some cosmetic changes to the property, most have strict stipulations regarding this issue. If you are unsure whether your proposed project will violate your lease agreement, ask your landlord. Breaking these lease terms could mean forfeiture of your security deposit.

One of the quickest ways to improve the appearance of a room is with a fresh coat of paint. Since apartment leases commonly prohibit painting, however, consider using other methods of revamping your walls. Applying shelf liner paper gives the appearance of wallpaper, but with the benefit of a removable adhesive. If the paper is difficult to remove, use a hair dryer on a hot setting to loosen the adhesive on the wall. Large, decorative tapestries are another way to cover an unattractive wall. If you can put thumbtacks in the walls, use them to secure the tapestry around the edges. A decorative folding screen is another alternative.

A common problem in rental units is a lack of storage space. Using creative storage solutions will help alleviate the problem. Look for storage items that fit under the bed or over the toilet. Buy stackable plastic storage containers. Label all storage boxes clearly and keep the labels facing outward for easy access.

Make a small apartment appear larger by reducing unnecessary clutter. Avoid open storage such as shelving, especially for small items. Opt instead for storage that keeps things neatly tucked out of sight. If you have a large collection of decorative knick-knacks, display only a few items at a time. Rotate the displayed items, keeping extras in storage.

While homeowners have the option to make energy- and money-saving improvements such as new windows or more efficient appliances, renters are left with fewer options. To shave money off the cost of heating and cooling bills, insulate old windows by lining them with clear plastic. Stop drafts around doors by adding weatherstripping around the frame and placing a rolled-up bath towel across the bottom of a drafty door. While more pricey than standard light bulbs, energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs are last longer and use a fraction of the energy for the same amount of light.