the renter's challenge: lighting

The secret is out- lighting is the single most important element in decorating, dramatically improving the look and feel of any room from gloom to glow. Here are some simple solutions to light up your drab apartment.


Just Say No to Fluorescent
Yes, its a drug people. Fluorescent lighting sucks the life out of a room. No one gets the warm fuzzies if the only light in your space is a long bulb shining bright blue rays, reminiscent of a hospital. Replace each artificial source with with a warm soft lamp.


Lamps
I have to say that lamps are my favorite home accessory. Lamps soften a room and add warm comforting lighting- really the key in making your rental feel like a home. A modern lamp base with a chic shade makes me giddy. Budget friendly solutions? Shop at the Teej (TJ Maxx) or Home Goods. Trendy and classic alike, costing no more than $40.00 including base and shade. BANANAS. Can only spend $5.00? Shop GoodWill, Salvation Army, or any other thrift store. Make sure you bring your own light bulb- most thrift stores will not let you test your lamps. No shame here, I totally find a corner with an outlet. Spruce up your cheapie base with Rustoleum or Krylon brand metallic spray paint and viola! Don't forget about yard sales too, its almost in season and I am so excited! 


Shades
The cherry on top of the cake, lamp jewelry, the perfect hair-do. I could go on and on about how important a lamp's shade is. The base could be the most beautiful thing you have ever seen but, if the shade is ugly, yellow, and outdated you won't even be able to notice. Before you go tossing out, check out my way of transforming any shade with fabric here. Its a great way to save money and recycle and you can find tons of these tutorials in the blog world. Also, if you spent zilch with your lamp base at a thrift store invest a little more in your shade. Just like jewelry, the shade can really make the outfit or in this case the lamp.


Chandeliers

I was recently faced with a challenge. My match- a gold 80's inspired chandelier. I hated this thing. At one point I told my husband it wasn't allowed to be on. Sad I know, but every time I flipped the switch goldie winked and smiled. No joke. I am proud to report ol' golddie was defeated and transformed into a new modern fixture. Lucky for me, our apartment complex is going through a major over haul. Each room is being renovated as people slowly move on, so I took it upon myself do my own reno. Goldie would have eventually passed on so no harm giving her a new look, I was aloud. I used Krylon's Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint and went to town. Yes, I actually painted while still hanging. Here is my proof:

How amazing is the transformation! Lovely. My next adventure is updating the shades by adding some jute trim. I was inspired by these little guys over at Pottery Barn.

photo from Pottery Barn

Finally I stumbled upon this genius idea and have decided to create some of my own. So unfortunately, I will have to keep you posted. 

photo from Kaarskoker

Either way you get the drift- all it takes is spray paint, shades, and some effort to update your "goldie". 


Candles 
Addict. That's right I said it- My name is Meaghan and I am a candle addict. Scent or non I love 'em. Here are some of my favorites:
Pier 1- Citrus Cilantro (smells exactly like the Hutton Hotel in Nashville, TN) and Mango Papaya
Yankee Candle-Autumn Leaves (amazing! smells just like fall)
Pottery Barn- Ocean 
Hobby Lobby- great for your plain, simple, any size white candle on the cheap
Thymes- Fraiser Fir 
These are just a few and if I sit here long enough I could spout off a hundred more. Candles are the ultimate homey-effect fix. You have my permission to light every single candle you own. That's right, go light them! My theory? Who wants candles sitting around that have not been used, use them! Even when its just you and the dog- I promise you and your guest will feel more at home. Place in the fireplace instead of logs for a more romantic look or in the kitchen to make it smell like you are baking. Candles can also be used to display personal items. My husband and I have saved the champagne bottle from our engagement, wedding, and one year anniversary. To make these bottles have a use, I bought bottle candle holders at a local boutique and matching candle sticks. They now fit perfectly in our bedroom. 

Expect the Unexpected 
Bathroom lamp? Yes. Kitchen lamp? Of course! Don't leave these rooms out! Everyone every room deserves a soft light. In the bathroom, the ambiance is transformed to spa like with just a lamp instead of turning on the overhead lights. A kitchen is made more cozy and warm, check out mine here.


Mr. Golden Sun
Open the blinds! Can you really pass up free lighting? 


Please, I beg of you, if you are having people over, eating breakfast at your table, doing the bills–turn on the lamp, open the blinds, and light a candle. It will change your life, mood, and rental, I’m sure of it.


Missed the last Renter's Challenge? Check it out here. 


Read on, 
MT


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the renter's challenge: in lieu of painting

Renters make up more than half of the United States. I'm a veteran renter. Over the past 6 years I have lived in a place that is not my own. It started out in a 100 sq/ft dorm room to a 300 sq/ft dorm room and now a 900 sq/ft apartment all with a roommate. I feel as though I have constantly been making each stark, sterile place more like a real home. Now being a blogger, I have immersed myself in DYI blog projects for the home but not for the apartment. Noticing a lack of inspiration for people like me, I decided to dedicate a post each week to the renters challenge. With a little creativity and hard work, anyone with little or no money to spend, can turn a sterile space into a cozy home.

Most renters first challenge is not being able to paint due to landlord standards. 1. Its expensive 2. Not worth the trouble if you are living there for a short period 3. You almost always have to paint it back to the color it was before you moved in. Here are some simple solutions...

1. The sprinkle effect-

Your own worst enemy. The first thing I tend to do when moving into a new space is randomly displaying every piece of art or frame on every empty wall. It ends up looking like a hot mess. Solution: Draw an imaginary rectangle on the main focal wall in the room you wish to dress up. Fill that rectangle with a grouping of related art such as framed pictures, art, clocks, or plates. This makes a stronger impact for the room than the "sprinkle effect."

2. Scale-

Try to hang larger scale items to make the room seem bigger. See my do it yourself art work here.

EXAMPLES-

Stencils:

Wall stencils are all the rage. Etsy.com has boocuddles of these things. I have to say that I was a skeptic at first. However, after some investigating these vinyl pieces of art really captured my heart (cheese, sorry). Check them out.

photo from etsy

Wallpaper:

Even though you can't paint it doesn't mean you can't enjoy the fun of color. The shabby nest puts this to the test by using wrapping paper, yes wrapping paper. The fun pattern adds life to her make shift mudroom in a rental home. If you can't find a cheap wrapping paper you love you could always use wallpaper with her same technique, staples. Genius. 

photo from the shabby nest

Curtains:

A little trick that I used from my favorite home boutique, adding curtains behind your bed. No there is not a window, considering our neighbor is right behind that wall. However, it does lead your eye up making the room seem larger. Fabric in general makes a room feel softer and more relaxed. Curtains are key. Add to each window as high as you can but still letting the fabric hit the floor. An inexpensive trick is to use remnant fabric at your local fabric store. Make sure you measure the height for the window treatment and convert to yards. Then buy curtain clips and clip to curtain rod. Tada-easy, cheap, no sew curtains. 

Shutters:

Another dilemma with apartments is no architecture. My simple solution was to hang shutters found for $7 each. I painted them my favorite blue to add that pop of color the room needed. 

Windows:

For our wedding, I used an old window that I had in my room growing up to display the wedding pictures from our parents and grandparents. I now have this window hung in our guest bedroom/office. Another inexpensive way to make a rental more personal.

Chalkboards:

I love anything with word graphics right now, from subway art to chalkboards. This vinyl chalkboard can be placed on any wall you wish—without using mounts or tools. Just stick it on the wall and peel it off when you are done. Perfect for renters. Also check out my chalkboard here only costing me a $1.

photo from taylor gifts

Picture groupings:

Best way to make a home feel more personal. On display is our favorite wedding photos. Pottery Barn always has the best example of picture groupings if you are in need of some inspiration.

 

Fabric canvas:

Love, love, love this idea. I really wish I had a spare wall in our apartment. Head over to bella dia to learn how to make your own. So easy!

photo from bella dia

Plates:

Gives a wall a big statement in a little way. If you haven't found the nester yet, make a b-line to her site. She happens to rent (homes) and has some great budget friendly ideas including this one. 

photo from the nester

Frames:

If you have dozens of different sized frames and pictures, tie them together by painting the frames all the same color. Black gives an elegant touch to any style décor. White is very fresh, and a bright color can be found in a contemporary design.

photo from Country Living

I hope this leaves you with some sort of inspiration to make your nest more homey. Make sure to drop by for next week's renters challenge: hint, you might be blinded by the light.

Read On, 

MT