Recently I’ve had a couple of conversations with different people about where to spend your design dollars when you’re living in a temporary residence. On one hand you want your home to be warm, welcoming and a place where you enjoy living. On the other hand you know that it’s a temporary home, so dropping a lot of money on decor/design doesn’t really feel like the smartest financial decision. Being that I’ve moved around quite a bit, I know all too well the mixed emotions one can have about decorating/designing when you’re in a not-so-permanent living situation. Over the years, through my own experience I’ve come to find that these 4 things always bring the most design bang for the buck.
Keep in mind that these 4 things aren’t in any particular order.
1. Lighting
Lighting, in my opinion, is everything! It’s the easiest way to update a space…..besides paint of course. Permanent fixtures may not be something you’ll be able to take with you when you sell, but those lighting updates will pay big dividends in terms of potential buyers. When we first bought our current home there was a white ceiling fan hanging over our kitchen eating area, and one of the first things we did was to switch that fan out with a chandy. What a difference that one change made!
Sure we changed a few other things in this space, but the chandy alone is what really transformed the look.
I’m also a big believer in dimmer switches…….that’s a diy I promise anyone can do…..just google it and you’ll find tons of great tutorials!
If you’re renting and can’t update the fixtures, bring in lamps that you really love. You’d be surprised how well a couple of great lamps can help to downplay some other not so pretty aspects of a space. And the added bonus is you can take your lamps with you when you move!
2. Rugs
A rug is a great place to start a room design no matter if you’re in a temporary living space or not. However, when you’re in a space with less than eye pleasing floors a great rug can literally be your very best friend. Not sure you want to spend the money or the time updating a linoleum floor? Throw a rug down! I’d stick with natural fibers or classic designs that will stand the test of time.
The 5 x 7 zebra print rug in my hub’s office is one that we purchased at West Elm many, many years ago and it has lived in many different locations within a couple of our homes. It’s timeless and works with any design style.
3. Mirrors
I’ve yet to meet a mirror that has gone out of style. And when the finish is not quite right anymore……well, that’s what spray paint is for…..am I right?! When you find one you really love, go for it! Chances are no matter where you live, you’ll have a place for it.
4. A Living Room Sofa
Besides your bed, I’d say your sofa is the most used piece of furniture in your home. You may or may not always have a true dining space in every place you call home, but I’d put money down that you’ll always have a living space where you’ll need a great sofa. So I say, go ahead and invest in something that you love! I recommend choosing something with clean lines.
It doesn’t matter where you’re living or how long you plan to live there, you can create a space you’ll love to call home just by investing in a few key pieces!
What does your top 4 list look like? What 4 things do you think bring the most design bang for your buck?
Art. You may not be able to paint a space if you are renting, but you can hang up some really colorful and meaningful art. Plus, I think art can really finish a space. Art and window treatments. Both can make or break a space.