Quick weekend projects for renters!

Because little changes can make a big difference, here are some quick inexpensive ways to improve the look of your apartment or rental home! I know you've heard all the basics- add paint, a rug, and artwork- but here are some you may have missed:

Bead-board style covers, $6.97 at the Home Depot. 

1. Change out the switch plate covers.
If your rental is like mine was, it came with basic beige switch plate covers. Against our bright white walls this just looked dirty. For only about a dollar a piece we got white ones at Home Depot which blend it nicely and quietly. You can find even more stylish ones that are still around ten bucks. I like this bead-board inspired cover below. This is something that is so often overlooked but it could not be easier!


2. Add color without painting. 

This table runner is actually a $5 scarf!

At a recent Home Show, I heard HGTV host Sabrina Soto speak out against how "easy" it is to paint a rome. It's actually not that cheap, she argued, and it can be really hard to choose a color before seeing how it looks in a particular room or at a certain time of day. I know a lot of young people, especially grad students, don't stay in their rentals for long, so putting all the time into painting and then repainting before moving out can be a real hassle. So, assuming your walls aren't horrible, add color through curtains and bright table cloths or colorful blankets. Not only is this faster and cheaper, but you can take it with you when you go. Did you know you can find drapes for under $10 a panel at Walmart or Target? I bought my lovely curtains for $8 at Walmart. Easy fix! And my favorite thing is to bring in bright vibrant colors through table runners (see my post on using colorful scarves for this). My dining room walls are bright white, but it feels like my most colorful room because of these inexpensive additions.

Curved tension shower rod, from Bed Bath and Beyond ($39). 

3. Change out the shower rods and/or shower heads. 
Our shower/tub combo is a typical size, but upgrading to a curved shower rod made it feel much more spacious. And because they make curved tension shower rods now, no drilling is necessary. Of course, if you don't want to spend the money on a curved one (ours was about $30), you can find an array of fancier tension rods to make your shower look more regal! I also decided to add a second tension rod with a valence to my guest bathroom. By the same token, it is easy to unscrew an old dingy shower head and replace it with a new one (they start at only ten bucks!). Just be sure to check that the new shower head installs into the wall the same way your old one does (some newer models install into the ceiling).

Our French themed guest bath. I added the valence for a hint of toile!

4. Change out the light bulbs. 
Landlords are likely to be drawn to the cheaper light bulbs that leave the space looking eerily florescent. Upgrade to nicer ones to "brighten" up a room! It is also pretty easy to add dimmers, which can feel really luxurious!

5. Customize your closet. 
Thanks to tension rods, 3M sticky products, and easily installed floating shelves, you actually have some flexibility with your closet. If you only have one shelf in your closet but some overhead space, add more storage space. Put hooks on the backs of the closet doors for coats or bags. If you've got floor space, try out some of the closet organizing systems available at Target. I've got a nine cubby hole storage block that fits under one of the shelves. I needed this type of storage more so than additional hanging space. The bottom line is that you can make some adjustments!