When your home is temporary, it can be difficult to make it feel like home. How do you add your personal style to each room without drastically altering the space itself? With just a few minor updates and additions, making a rental apartment feel like home can be easier than you think. Here are 7 simple tips and tricks for adding personality to your space without the long-term commitment.
1. Swap out generic lighting
Not only is it functional, but adding your own, unique lighting can change a space. If you don’t already have overhead lighting, the Canal Floor Lamp is a perfect choice to create your go-to reading spot. With an adjustable shade and dip switch, this piece can light up just about any room or reading nook. For your bedside, our Enoki Table Lamp is a one-of-a-kind piece that offers ample lighting within reach and easily integrates into a tablescape. If you have overhead lighting that just doesn’t suit you, you might consider a pendant upgrade. These look stunning over a kitchen table as well as framing your bed.
2. Transform a room with an area rug
Rugs are just what you need to divide up rooms, especially in a smaller space. If you already have a lot of color in your apartment, go for something neutral that can act as a good foundation to your living area. Our Loop Rugs are ideal for large areas and are extremely durable (and cost-effective). Our Montauk Rugs are also a great staple that will last from move to move and is made from 100% wool. Alternatively, a rug can add texture and shape to a room that is in need of an additional element. Our Turin Black Rug makes a statement in its grayscale shapes while our Sashi Geo Shag Rug demands attention wherever it lays.
3. Invest in furniture that can easily transition from space to space
Apartment living can sometimes mean you are moving frequently. If this is the case, you will want pieces that are not only easy to move but will hold up and look good no matter where you go. These timeless items are the ones you will want to invest in. The Aurea Coffee Table is immaculately fitted together without hardware so no assembly is required and no small pieces will ever go missing during a move. A nightstand, a side table, a place to throw your keys; our Quad Rectangular Side Table can find a home can do it all, plus its lightweight design makes it easy to shuffle from room to room. The largest but most important investment? The couch. A piece like the Irving Apartment Sofa is the perfect size and comes in two neutral colors that will fit right in to any home aesthetic.
4. Find lightweight storage that doubles as an accent piece
No matter the size of your living space, storage is key. If you don’t have extra closet space, you will need to look for inventive ways to keep things organized. Look to options that add a design element while serving a larger purpose. Baskets are a great option for storing rolled up blankets and towels or magazines and books. Or try vertical storage with the Tower Ladder, both lightweight and easy to assemble. You can even create a cohesive look to built-in shelving by adding storage boxes. The Save-It Storage Box Set is suited for keeping your odds and ends organized while looking nice on open shelving or atop your desk.
5. Choose easy-to-install wall decor
Adding wall accents is a necessary but difficult step in making a rental feel like home. Opt for items that are easy to install and cause little damage to your wall. Simple choices like our Heathered Raffia Tray + Bowls or Plywood + Mono Wall Clocks will make a positive design impact with very little effort (aka, no professional installation necessary). For a more functional accent, you can try our Ribbon Wall Shelf complete with mounting instructions and wall template for easy installation. Plus, they can hold up to 45 lbs. So they are great for incorporating picture frames and other small accents to your space without taking up surface space.
6. Craft a good night’s sleep with quality bedding
Comfort in your apartment is one of the most important factors in making it your own. This may seem like an obvious addition but finding quality bedding will truly make your place feel like home, somewhere you can’t wait to get back to. Dive into comfort with the Franklin Stripe + Hastings Pinpoint bedding, made of Oeko-Tex Certified, 100% European Flax Linen. For a room unlike anyone else’s, look to our Unison-exclusive bedding textiles like Sashi Geo and Stitch. Each pattern comes in multiple colorways so you can easily mix and match.
7. Set your table
Take your kitchen or dining table one step further by adding table settings. This extra touch is sure to bring a warm welcome, especially when unexpected company arrives. Having a basic dinnerware set that can function for any occasion is key, like our Grace Gray Dinnerware paired with the Galvin Copper Flatware Set. Finish things off with table linens like napkins, placemats or a table runner to set the stage for entertaining.