apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

What I really realy need is some ideas on how to deal with blah beige wall-to-wall carpet!

Some of the ideas are really good - but how many rentals come with built-in shelving, lots or storage, spacious entryways and flat ceilings?

It would be more helpful if they offered tips on how to deal with popcorn ceilings, vertical blinds, cheesy laminate countertops/cabinets, minimal closet space - and the aforementioned tracthouse-beige wall-to-wall carpets?

Those are some pretty nice rental spaces as it is (apparently with landlords who will let them paint) - can't say this helps out the usual renter all that much.

I found the tips to be kind of on the fluffy side, but Domino is kind of a fluffy magazine to begin with.

bepsf-
ahahah you're bang on about everything that's wrong in my rental. The only thing I can add is: awful fluorescent lighting in the kitchen AND bathroom. What's a renter to do?!

Actually, a faux fireplace is not so far fetched -- I had an antique wooden mantel in my college apartment, with a screen in front of it. Everyone loved it and my landlord even offered to buy it from me.

"awful fluorescent lighting in the kitchen AND bathroom. What's a renter to do?!"

Westie - That one's easy:

Buy your own light fixtures and pack up the ones that came with the rental in a box and put them in storage. When you move, replace your fixtures with the crappy fixtures that came with the rental.

(Owners have done this for years to get around the CA housing code laws requiring flourescent fixtures in kitchens and bathrooms - No reason we can't too!)

They suggested painting the brick surrounding a fireplace?

Sometimes "you can't polish a turd"

I know it's naughty, but I go by the "better to beg forgiveness than ask permission" policy and have gone ahead and done a lot to my rental. If you're confident they'll love it when they see it, go for it! Also, if you're willing to kiss the damage deposit goodbye in exchange for having the place how you like it...

I don't get why renters get so uptight about painting. Paint away, and paint it back when you move out if you really have to. Sorry, but duh!

The problem is that not all landlords are okay with "Oh, I'll paint it when I leave!" from their tenants. Renters who are afraid of painting are often the same folks who don't want to risk losing their whole security deposit.

I'm with Kaete. in addition to putting one's deposit at risk, breaking lease conditions can be used as grounds for eviction.

My problems are vertical blinds, horrible light fixtures, and ugly Kitchen cabinets.

None of this advice helps, I do suggest tho, that if you are allowed to paint but have to bring it back to white, consider a lighter shade of what you want... when your trying to move having to paint 4-5 coats on a wall is mighty frustrating

I wonder why folks who care about design choose to live in places that have landlords that are inflexible about painting?

bepsf- I wish I could change the lights that easily but these fluorescent lights are huge (about 2 x 3 ft) and recessed, like an office! I wouldn't even know where to begin....

Actually, I just stumbled upon this: http://insideskies.com/
where you can cover your fluorescent lights with clouds, the ocean, or Dilbert. Neat!

bepsf, my city its tough to get an apartment period, you take what you get and pay through your nose for it

Floors, light, space, and noise are four things you really can't compromise on when choosing a rental because there is precious little you can do about any of them once you move in. Renting an apartment with any of those problems is like dating a recidivous felon. I don't care how cute, you are only asking for trouble.

Everything else can be dealt with as long as you are willing to return the apartment to original condition.

My issue is a massive outdoor terrace and the fear of buying too many pots, then having to move and get rid of them all. I name my plants, how can I possibly give them all away?!

One of the things to do with fluorescent is to go to a Home Depot or Loewes and get the Warmer version of the tube in your fixture. The cheapest tubes are the ones with the greenest light, and those get bought by landlords. Replacing them for warmer tubes is easy and cheap.

I wonder why folks who care about design choose to live in places that have landlords that are inflexible about painting?

Sometimes there isn't a choice. :P

Ha ha MsU - I'm with you. And stinkily some movers won't do plants. I say, weight-train. Hey, at least we have the option of taking plants with us when we go, unlike people who garden in the ground.

bepsf - some of us have more style than money. Even for those of us who have a lot of choices, there are about a million considerations we have before design: is it close to work, can I afford it, are they good about maintenance, do they have circa-60s appliances that will add gobs to the electric bill... just because we care about design doesn't mean it's top priority. Guess I'm in a bit of a different world here.

FJ- I think that's the most practical solution. Thanks!

I love how the article suggests wallpapering to "add graphic pop without a huge financial commitment" and then recommends wallpaper that's $178 a roll. Heh.

Westie--

Those light panels are great!
I wonder if the folks at work would freak if I put these in my office?
:-)

MSN

Area rugs! Just bought a new condo with crappy biege wall-to-wall in the bedrooms. When I have the money to refinish the floors I will but for now it's bright, colorful, or interesting area rugs. No one even notices the wall-to-wall.

ahhahaha bepsf, I don't know how ANYONE would prefer harsh light to awesome clouds....or Dilbert. And at $55.95/panel! I am seriously considering these.

here's an idea for hiding the ugle vertical blinds -

http://picasaweb.google.com/firegardeneve/MyApatment#5206635783871586898

those are bamboo panels from ikea that I sprayed a vine on. And hung them from a plain black curtain rod also from ikea in front of my ugly vertical blinds! Changd the look of my liviing room dramatically!

My roommate & I totally beat domino to the punch re: faux fireplaces:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/reversibleraincoat/3141801871/

i love this wall color and have been looking to do it in my bedroom. Does anyboy know the color or maybe a similar one?