Inside: Don’t wait to feel happy in your home. Whether you rent an apartment or own a home, making a few small decorating changes can dramatically improve your mood.
Do you ever feel like you’ll decorate better or try harder at your next house? You know, the perfect one?
I struggle all the time with wanting to wait and do the bigger and better decorating projects at my next house—the one I’ll presumably own not rent. This usually happens when I’m frustrated with the small space my rental offers, the inability to change the wall color in the kitchen and my unwillingness to put the money into updating the fixtures on a place I rent.
But, I wonder, do homeowners struggle with this too? Do you struggle to find the courage, time, or creativity to transform your home from one that’s ‘fine’ to one you adore?
I’m betting so. If you’re not dreaming of owning a new home like me, then maybe you’re waiting until you have enough money to buy that new rug or you’re counting on inspiration to finally strike so you can paint your bedroom the perfect wall color. If it’s not one thing, it’s another.
This brings up a more important question. What are we waiting for?
Most of us spend the majority of our lives in our homes. We eat, sleep, relax, and hang out there—and so much more. It’s where we live, duh. Why are we okay with waiting to make our homes our favorite places to be?
I know I’ll have to remind myself of these words often. Every time I wish I could change the light fixture in my bathroom or itch to paint my front door, but there are ways to make my home awesome without messing up my security deposit.
Here are a few easy ways you can update your home and start feeling happier, whether you rent or own.
1. Rearrange what you have
If you’re bored with a room, rearrange your furniture. So simple, but so true.
Sometimes a simple switch up will transform a room into exactly what you’re looking for. Try a different arrangement, even if you don’t think it will look good. You might be surprised!
And, don’t be afraid to move furniture from room to room. The end table that wasn’t working in the living room may work perfectly to corral items by the front door.
2. Buy (a small) something new
When you want a new couch, rug, or drapes, but don’t have the budget, opt for a smaller purchase.
Buy something like:
- A new tea towel to dress up your kitchen
- A bouquet of flowers
- A houseplant
Small touches—even ones for less than $5—can make a space feel brand new.
3. Hang things on your walls
Many renters (and homeowners) don’t hang up artwork, shelves or mirrors. That adorable circle mirror you love or oil painting you thrifted leans against the wall…forever. I know I’ve been there.
Maybe it’s because you know you’ll be moving and don’t want to bother. Or, maybe it’s because you don’t want to fix the hole that you’ll make when hanging up the piece later.
At some point, it finally dawned on me…
My happiness is worth putting a tiny nail hole in the wall. Hang that mirror, those shelves, or those pictures. You’ll feel better, trust me.
4. Paint something
Hate your wall color? Landlord won’t let you paint? Then, paint a big piece of furniture instead. Maybe even the color you wish you could paint your walls.
Think a dresser, bookcase, buffet, or table.
I’m all about classic, crisp white lately. The walls at my current rental are a pretty light grey, but my all-white dresser has lived in several rentals, and as one of the larger pieces of furniture I own, I love the big block of white it adds to a room.
5. Look at what’s in storage
What mystery décor do you have stored away?
Use long-forgotten items in the back of a closet or squirreled away in a storage bin to instantly refresh a room. You’ll add something new without buying anything new.
Recently, I rediscovered a stack of embroidery hoops in a crate in my storage/laundry room. I added a few swatches of fabric and now I have one hanging in my gallery wall and a few others dressing up other areas of the house.
All new décor—for free!
Now’s the time to make your home the home of your dreams. Don’t wait! Incorporate even one of these changes will make you feel like you have a brand new space.
Related articles:
- Decorating with Spring Flowers
- 3 Tips for a More Natural Home (Plus, My Natural Living Journey)
- Decorating with Botanical Prints (Plus, Free Printables!)
