Anyone living in the city identifies with the frequency of moving homes. With the initial confusion and hesitation over how to convert random places into your world, I started to use creativity and tried to create a home.
Eventually, you will start enjoying the process of relocation, and the opportunity of doing things all over again. Rental homes do have perks. You have the flexibility of changing location easily, and don’t have to worry about home repairs and maintenance which can take a toll on your wallet.
The challenge is weighing in on the financial risk and the aesthetic payoff at every spend. Here are a few things that will help you work within the boundaries of your landlord’s diktat, and yet give you a personalised space without costing a lot of time and money.
Get the canvas ready: Nothing like some dramatic paint to create an accent wall or redo a bathroom, which you can restore when you move out. But, if that’s challenging, get some nice bright and beautiful curtains.
Opt for light fabrics instead of heavy and expensive ones. Throw cushions using mix and match techniques, this automatically lifts up the mood. Also consider, wooden blinds, saree drapes, or some personalised pieces (patch work, fabric painted or embroidered) can be your ‘things’.
Invest in versatile pieces: Even a rented space needs investment in versatile furniture. Think of a bright modular sofa, a gorgeous bed with storage and a slick book shelf, extendable table, anything that you will be using for a long time, no matter where you go next.
Add layers of accent lighting: Have terrible lighting? You don’t have to change the existing light fixtures. Opt for a variety of accent lighting, in the form of tripod floor lamps, bed side lamps and pendant lamps. You might never have to turn on that tubelight again.
Accessorise your space with light weight items: Get art on the walls, pretty throw pillows on the sofa, and layer rugs on the floor. Patching up a tiny hole while moving out, is nothing compared to the impact it will make on your space. Try hanging statement pieces and resting small family photos on other shelves and consoles. If the space is small, add mirrors to increase depth.
Cozy corners: After a tiring day at work, a cozy corner to sit and relax is always welcome. I indulge in my thoughts, reading and writing sitting in the corner. An accent chair/recliner, a mahogany side table, an antique lamp, some Bonsai plants and a magazine holder (or a cane basket), a Turkish carpet and cushions with madhubani prints is the cozy corner in my dreams. But in reality, I have created my cozy corner using a beanbag, a runner, some plants and some books.
Add greenery wherever possible — Flowers, window plants, hanging pots-greenery will make a huge difference in a tired rental space. And as an added bonus, having plants in or near your space will increase your productivity and happiness levels.
The writer is the design head (interiors), Urban Ladder.
