Jennie Kerson Pritzker is a Philadelphia-based interior designer and owner of Jennie Pritzker Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm. You can also visit Jennie Pritzker Interiors on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram, or follow Jennie on Twitter at @jenniepritzker.
By Jennie Kerson Pritzker
Designing a rental space can be a challenge. You are generally restricted to white walls and neutral carpet or wood floors. You don’t want to make modifications that would endanger your security deposit; you also don’t want to waste money buying fixtures that won’t come with you when you move. That said, there are several key steps you can take to make a place you don’t own feel like your own.
(1) Plan for your next apartment as well as this one. It’s important to look for pieces that fit well in your space and would also fit well in another space when you move. A great piece of furniture for this is a modular sectional sofa:
Helpfully, it comes in multiple pieces, so you don’t have to worry about getting it into the elevator and into your apartment, and the pieces are fungible, so the sofa can be switched from right-facing to left-facing and vice-versa to accommodate a small space. When you go to the store, make sure that you bring your measuring tape, and before you leave home, get the dimensions of your elevator and all doorways. Usually beds come with separate rails and can be put together in the space. If you are getting a queen-sized mattress, make sure to get a split box spring. The pieces that are typically problematic in terms of size are sofas, dressers, and box springs, so just be aware.
(2) One piece, multiple uses. Another thing to think about is pieces that can serve more than one purpose. Many apartments don’t have a designated dining area, and if forced to choose you won’t want to use up valuable living space with a table and chairs. This coffee table has a panel that rises up to the perfect height for dining, and it also has storage:
Aside from function and practicality, it’s also important to think about how to make a space feel personal and cozy without altering paint, flooring, or permanent fixtures in the apartment. There are lots of great ways to do this. First, consider ways that you can bring color into the space. Throw pillows are inexpensive and can do wonders to personalize a space and bring in color. It is best to keep the big pieces of furniture neutral and bring in color through pillows, throws, and artwork. This will give you more flexibility later and you won’t be locked into a color scheme that may not work in a future space.
(3) Display accessories (and we don’t mean earrings). Another thing to explore is displaying accessories. Displays of favorite collections or personal photos can help make the space feel like yours. A great way to save money and bring unique pieces into your space is to look in vintage stores. This will allow you to bring in some unusual design elements that can make a space feel personal. A cool, vintage chair, or some interesting vintage lamps can make a big impact. Often vintage pieces are very well priced and are much better quality than something similar that is made today.
So, don’t be afraid to express yourself in a rental space! With some flexible pieces of furniture like a neutral sectional sofa, some colorful throw pillows and throws, a collection of personal accessories, and some unique smaller pieces of furniture, you can create a space that is one of a kind and won’t break the bank.
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