It is a new year. Happy New Year
How are your resolutions and to do lists coming along. This article is tailored towards people who have decided to take the big step to move into their own spaces. I would also like to focus on people who are moving into rentals.
Rentals are a very popular option across the country ranging from single bedrooms, two to 3 bedrooms, condos, townhouses etc. All these options largely depend on budgets and furnishing it to taste is very important. Chances are that you would spend some part of your life in there. It must be a space that you would want to invite people in, be able to work from, raise a family in and most importantly want to sleep in.
But I am excited for you, congratulations on this first major step in your life. But you are probably overwhelmed with home décor apps, suggestions from friends and family, social media pages and carefully curated profile pages of expert interior designers and furnishers but you need not be. Do not furnish yourself into unreasonable and unrealistic debt. You also at least for now, don’t need to engage the services of experts especially when you don’t have the budget for that. You can do it in a very simple and tasteful way and this article is here to guide you.
Investing In Multipurpose furniture is the crucial first step. The idea should not be to buy cheap or overly used imported furniture. It will cost you in repairs, cleaning and maintenance. There are simple fast furniture options that are do not cost and arm and a leg. Most the manufacturers of these furnishing options are producing these with the idea of cost but most importantly functionality and storage. Knowing your budget and sticking to it should let you buy double duty furnishing such as tables, sofa/ sofa beds, beds etc. Double duty means you can use them for more than one purpose. Invest in such and you would not strain your budget giving yourself unnecessary pressure.
A neutral palette is one way of keeping it simple and budget safe. Keep it in mind at all times that the place is a rental and after a period, you will move or have to recoup funds to pay for another year/years. Good rental landlords most likely than not paint their spaces in neutral greys, whites, creams, nudes, browns etc. so you are able to decorate around it. Decorate around it with custom color sofas, wall art, blinds, curtains etc. In your own space built by you and according to your taste and style, you can customize the walls any color palette that represents your taste and style. For now a quick safe tip is to simply work around the existing color. Unless it is that awful and you would have a medical condition if you stay in such a space.
Functional and practical lights are one way to make your rental unit very homely. I encourage most people to invest in good lightening. It helps with good vision, sets a good mood within the home and ultimately lets you enjoy the space better. My major tip is if you can, kindly remove all the existing lights you came to meet. Pack them nicely in a box. Well sealed and store away. Then you can install lights that reflect your unique style in each space. The reason why I encourage such is lights units (minus bulbs) do not spoil that easily and can move with you into your next space. This can also be applicable when it comes to cabinetry. You can change the knobs and door handles to nice elegant pieces and this is also a way to making you enjoy using the space. These minor changes do not necessarily cost an arm and a leg.
Don’t overdo it. It is the ultimate guide that should lead you on all fronts. You really don’t need to furnish every room immediately. You should focus on the spaces that you eat in, sleep in, lounge in, you can also build each room gradually. If you do it all at once, you will be building clutter. You can invest in accents that will keep the space clean, spacious and open planned. You can use mirrors, you can use lights, indoor plants, and you can use proper manufactured tables and chairs which well-placed, will allow aeration, freedom of movement and ensure that you don’t feel claustrophobic.
Enjoy your space. Build your memories, print those memories and use them as wall art. Happy nesting….
By Naabia Boachii-Danquah