I've owned for over 10 years, but I still love this blog. Renter or not. Keep up the great work everyone!!!

So, are we going to get some tips? I have an awful, though large-ish, kitchen with metal cabinets from the 60's... uneven walls... but a high ceiling... what can you suggest?

Been doing just that and blogging about it if you would like to read and get some fun ideas. Thanks for the inspiration.

posted before I was ready but blog is http://twhentysomething.wordpress.com.

This message is relevant for homeowners, too. Too often we put off things that would make us happy because we think we've got an unlimited number of somedays in which to do them. Or we don't make our homes the way we'd really love to make them because we're worried about what some hypothetical future owner will or won't like. Seize the day, people! Live where you are and and for who you are now. (Sermon done.)

Agree! My husband and I have put a ton of work into decorating our rental (!!) apartment, much to the confusion of my upstate NY family. To them, it's "just an apartment." Well, in the neighborhood of $500K apartments, it looks like we'll be renting for a while. Besides, I love my place!

I'm a renter and I've been in this apartment for 3 years. I have no intention of leaving anytime soon. Just finished January cure but it's turned into February cure because I don't want to stop. Thank you!

OMG what a perfect POST! This is one of the major things that came out of doing the January Cure for me. Make where you are living right NOW the best that it can be! Care for it. Create in it. LIVE.
It's amazing how much time passes when you put off what you can be enjoying right now.
Fireplace mantel here I come.

After six months of whining about my awful 80's vinyl floors, I finally asked my landlord on Saturday if I were to pay for new floor materials, would the management co. install it. Monday morning I got a call that they'd agreed to replace the floors entirely on their dime, plus put in a new bathtub while they're at it! Wish I'd asked sooner. Also finally replaced the sticking lock on my patio door this weekend - for $12 the joy I get when it turns smoothly and doesn't catch is indescribable.

I own and I don't plan to stay here forever...However I do everything I want...I don't care what the future holds for this house, I live here now!
YOLO!
{When I rented I never got my damage deposit back...Due to painting or wallpaper, though, no real damages. I am the landlord now and tell my tenants that if they want to change something go ahead...I'll even buy the paint.}

You are so right. I had this realization 2 years after moving into my studio. I had injured myself and was forced to spend a lot of time at home and in my immediate neighborhood in Harlem. I had always assumed I wouldn't stay at my place for long because so many friends were pressuring me to move to Brooklyn and I figured I would end up there. But the more time I spent in my neighborhood and in my place, I realized that I really love where I live. That my tiny studio was actually the perfect size for me. I started working my apartment and made it into the comfortable and cozy space it is. I've been there for five years now. Yes, I can't afford to buy a place, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy my rental.

I work as a resident property manager at a 32 unit apartment complex. Generally as long as the tenants don't try to tear down walls or flooring (please leave that to us!) the tenants are free to paint/small improvements as they wish. Only thing I ask is that they notify me in advance and agree to paint the wall with primer when they move. Most of them go no further than that, though. I have been at this place for 13 years so I can relate to wanting to make some small improvements.

I own for many years but rented for many also. I always tried to make the space "mine" even through strict landlords. Some wouldn't let me change or paint anything even if it meant a huge improvement others say ok but put it back how you found it. I always found many ways to decorate and improve to my liking. Great inspiration!!

I have rented since my divorce in 1994. Every apartment has been my HOME, whether I own it or not. A beautiful and organized space keeps the mind beautiful and organized as well.

People often make the error of believing that renting is somehow less than owning when, in fact, they both have advantages and disadvantages. My home is MY home whether I profit from it or not. (not-for-profit co-ops, an idea from the 70's needs to be given new life- but that's another topic.)
When we make a space our own it not only changes how we feel in the space, but it can also has a domino effect that will change what your building becomes, what your neighbourhood becomes and so on and so on. Suddenly people are outside painting over graffiti, picking up garbage and demanding slower traffic speeds in their neighbourhood. So let's paint that wall, fix the leaky tap and watch the magic of caring start to move beyond your four walls.

I've been in my one-bedroom rental apartment almost 20 years ... after divorcing and selling our four-bedroom house. Apartment living is much easier than owning a home. When I moved here, I decorated with the same care I used when I owned a house. In fact, it was much more fun to decorate when I didn't have to take another person's opinions into account!

But - it is more difficult to organize things in such a small space. I can hide stuff in a spare bedroom and close the door! I'm enjoying the tips on this website ... and I'm putting them to use!

My post above should say "can't hide stuff."

We've rented this apartment for six years, and it's just as much our home as the house we owned before. We don't plan on leaving anytime soon, so we take great care of it. We just got brand new carpet and just might paint soon. I love this place and we even have a beautiful pool (that someone else maintains).

I have rented for years and love it....and my landlords love me because I always fixed the apartments up and left them better than when I found them. I probably should have gone into design work or flipped houses as I so enjoy the process of improving spaces.
One Christmas my landlords showed up at my door and hand me $ for all the work I had done...what a surprise! I had no expectations of being re-paid, just wanted the place to look great! That was a wonderful gift to me! We are talking hundreds of dollars given to me.
Now I am in a small studio space and loving it....just warming up on the plans for "what to do with this space".
And I am reading Apartment Therapy for all design ideas....and of course Pinterest.
Just got back from IKEA, that was fun!

Thank you thank you thank you. A public holiday here in New Zealand today. You know what I am going to do? Paint the ghastly bricks around my rented homes fireplace finally. Would love to see more tips on how to update your rental. Amy x

http://www.miloandmitzy.blogspot.com

You mean I should hang the curtains I've been meaning to hang for the past 11 months? Brilliant!

Yes, yes, yes! I never expected to be in the same apartment for so long (16 years!), so it took me quite a few years before I started doing more "serious" things like painting. But it turns out I never wanted to leave here, so here I am. AND the beautiful thing is my landlords LOVE longterm tenants and do many things to encourage "home-keeping" behaviour. After I painted my apartment (they paid for the paint), the landlords started painting all the apartments in nice, warm, cozy neutral colours, instead of that same old builder beige. We are currently discussing the issue of me installing new flooring in my suite - the issue holding it up a bit is not whether I can do it, but how we are going to deal with the subfloor.

I am having a build it and they will come mentality that descended upon me about a month ago. We rent a crap ass huge row house that is a dry wall fiesta. Cringe. Ugh. Yuck. We want badly to move into a more historic home (buy or rent) but are having a hard time finding one because inventory is so low. So I decided that the more I invest in this rental, maybe it will build up some cosmic forces that will bring the new house to me. (I am atheist I swear.)

I tried to look at the plus side of tons of dry wall: It is kind of like an art gallery. So I have been making huge collage murals with funtack all over my walls. I have been cheaply framing Treamsters rally posters (in I am sure non-union made frames), and have been nailing rusty objects to the walls. Our yucky generic rental is finally getting a veneer of character. I am trying hard to make the most of this shell of a home. I have also been purge purge purging hoping that this task also somehow makes me moving-ready, further encouraging the right home to magically appear.

@stellabystarlight - Amen. They both have advantages. Renting has some huge advantages over ownership that I've learned since becoming a condo owner. But that's another topic, and I agree not-for-profit co-ops are long overdue for a revisit.

But I wanted to say I really like what you wrote about the domino effect of making improvements. That's so true and definitely changes the outlook of a community, be it a building or a neighbourhood. There are some great improvements in my city done by the people who live in the community. One of the nicest street gardens I've seen is not far from my place and it probably missed by the people driving on the busy road. But every year for the last few years somebody plants it. The flowers in bloom are amazing. And it's in one of the sketchier areas around.

This is good advise. We have owned our home for over 7 years now. Originally we purchased it as a "starter home" that we would more than likely sell in a couple of years. After the housing bubble burst and a year of having it on the market we decided that we were stuck for the time being and to make do. I started making changes and really making our home our own. Looking back at pictures I am stunned that I didn't make these changes sooner. Now I love our house and wouldn't sell it for anything.

My fiance and I have been in the same rental for a year and a half. Even though it has good "bones" (exposed beams, cathedral ceiling in the living room, french doors to the balcony) I never put much thought into decorating because I didn't think we would be there long. Now it's looking like we're not going anywhere soon, so I've been taking steps to make changes to the things that bother me. I emailed the owners to ask if we could paint the walls (they're a horrible antique white / yellow) and am starting to frame artwork to make a mini gallery wall. I'm sick of the drab color of our couch and since we can't afford to buy a new one, I'm buying fabric to reupholster it. Excited to finally start loving the place!

Looking for opinions: we have a terrible Home Depot style brass overhead in our otherwise gorgeous dining room. I'm pretty sure my landlord will not approve of us changing it out, even if we pay and have it professionally done (she's, um, tough). Are there ethics about this stuff? Can we just do it and replace it with the old one when we leave?

Being a new homeowner, I've had moments of paralysis because everything is suddenly so much more permanent. I'm not moving! This has to be perfect. Turns out, nothing is perfect and I'll just have to re-do something if I don't like it. I've learned to embrace it and not be afraid of making mistakes.

YOLO, as a phrase, needs to die in a fire.

So true! I have been debating investing in customizing the Elfa closet in my rental of one year. I think you have inspired me to just go for it!

FYI - the link to the house tour from the cover photo (Sara's Serene & Sophisticated Home) is directing to a random shutterstock page.

Um...I would be evicted if I tried to remove the popcorn ceiling off the (I'm betting) gorgeous wood beams it covers, painted the 11 foot high white walls, took the original linoleum floors out of the bathroom & kitchen and put in wood flooring everywhere else in my rental.

The building was built in 1962 and is owned by the wife of the architect (who is still alive). I was told before signing the lease and moving in that nothing in it has been changed since it was built (except for new carpet and white paint) and that I'm not allowed to alter any of it, including the 1962 stove! (it's really cute and works fantastic, actually). I agreed because I wanted to live there and not because I just needed an apartment (although, I did).

However, I have lots of colorful photos and art on the walls and have decorated in a way that makes me gloriously happy. I love the location in Studio City and the apartment itself is very spacious (with five full closets!) and minus all of the above that I'd love to change, very lovely.

Yeah, so my carpets are cream colored, my walls white and my ceilings even whiter. I just tell friends that I live inside a marshmallow. They laugh and tell me how unique the place is (unique it is - it's like a hybrid tree house/bungalow).

So, no - not everyone can (or should) just go renovating their rentals. However, like me, they can come here (AT) for wonderful inspiration on how to work with and appreciate what they have. Or...they can move to another apartment or buy a house.

Having been a home owner for almost 30 years, I became a renter again a few years ago. My life priorities changed, and home owning and feeling married to my house no longer suited me. Home is home no matter ownership...it is a state of mind. As said in previous posts, there are advantages to both, although I have figured out, when considering the low return per dollar on interest, the higher costs of insurance, time, etc., owning a home is really not the investment that Americans are sold to believe it is. Flourish in the space that you fill with love, and make it yours!

Friends thought I was crazy but when I sold my home last year and moved into a rental the very first thing I did was get rid of the 80's PINK laminate counters with a nicer neutral, it was the one thing I couldn't live with, day in and day out for even a month much less a year! ( landlord wouldn't do it) it looks like I might stay another year, so the light fixtures are next..and I can take them with me!

"YLOO" is the correct phrasing to express the sentiment that everyone thinks they are expressing when they say "YOLO." We don't mean to "only live," but the importance is that life occurs only "once."

This completely applies to homeowners too... I'm moving out of my owned home in the next 12 months or so and am starting to make some needed updates before selling. I'm kicking myself for not doing some of them sooner and ENJOYING them longer.

haha. love it*

Lets start off 2013 by not using the word YOLO ever again.

@goodyread - I had a similar situation with a landlady who would not let me switch out a light fixture. (She actually said, "honey, when you own your own home, you can do whatever you want." YEUK!) And she visited often, so doing it anyway was not an option. I finally made a huge drum shade out of a cool fabric and some balsa wood, which I attached to the overhead fixture. It looked awesome and I got many complements from guests.

Great post. Last year I finally embraced the fact that I was still renting because I really don't want the financial drain (taxes, maintenance, etc.) of owning, nor was I ever going to be the type who would for one minute enjoy any of the maintenance of home- and land-owning. I love small living, I love calling the landlord when there's a problem, and I love saving cash as my form of investment. So last year I finally got my crap together and moved from the third-floor walkup one-bedroom I was so unhappy with to a spacious two-bedroom (with a laundry room!) on the first floor of a well-managed apartment complex in a nice neighborhood. I asked a friend to help me design it, tossed all but the most treasured of my possessions, and am now living in a place I truly love. I downsized my possessions even as I upsized my home, and I feel so much more mentally healthy there, and so look forward to being there, that I can hardly find words to describe it. I spent money on this for sure, but I was financially ready, spent less than I would have on mortgaging a new home and I'm back on track with my savings. I'm talking about a bigger version than your suggestion of just fixing up what you're in, but I really related to it because, as a renter, I have learned to get what I want rather than wishing and hoping for something else, or wishing I was a different kind of person. Vive la renting.

Three words: Dropped Ceilings. Help!

"But I don't have the time or money to fix stuff in a rental when I'll eventually move out." Baloney. You know that thing in your apartment that bugs you every single day? What would it be worth not to notice it for one day? A minute of your time? One dollar? Now, multiply that by how long it's been annoying you. I'll bet the cost in time and money seems much smaller now. Perspective, people."

Perspective, people, indeed. While there truly is some wisdom in just taking care of that which bothers you in your home and can be a great ROI emotionally for your money...perhaps a little perspective would do AT good. While AT is rather obviously geared toward the affluent, there are some readers who are genuinely poor and broke, and still read for the occassional budget friendly post (and were drawn to the title...my apartment needs therapy).

I have this attitude already, but with credit card debt and starting my second year with zero income, living with someone on a grad student stipend, sometimes we really do have to wait. Admittedly, living in this place is slowly driving me crazy, and if I had any spare cash at all, it would go toward improving my environment.

Perhaps AT could come up with some more organization, not-too-cutesy craft projects, and reorganization posts for the new year that help redecorate with what you already have (flow, lighting, uncluttering, multipuurpose pieces) under their budget section, so as to be clear that these aren't ideal design elements but that they could help.

If you don't like the color of your metal kitchen cabinets, have them taken to a place that repaints cars. Get a baked on finish in the color of your choice. If your cabinets are like my Mom's, you just polish them up with car wax after they're repainted and they'll look great for years! I have wood cabinets, but I had my metal front door repainted at a car repair shop to match the color of my car.

I've lived in the same apt for about 10 years (divorce is a financial killer), but I find I really like not having to cut grass, do maintenance, etc. Several years ago I decided that I was tired of renter's beige walls, so I painted each room in my place a soft color. (Easy to repaint). Then my need for a mantel to put Christmas stockings got the better of me, and with no fireplace, I designed a bookcase that holds a small electric 'woodstove' and I hang our stockings above it. It did added more book storage and created my own little 'fireplace'. Think outside of the box and make your rented space your own. You will love it in the end.

Here's a question for everyone... is wall to wall carpeting in the master bedroom enough to make you not rent an apartment?

I'm currently considering two places, one of which has the wall to wall (but wood in the living room) and nice outdoor space, the other has nice new medium dark wood floors everywhere and no outdoor space.

Can you please talk to my boyfriend about this? I am about to move into his place (it's bigger than mine plus we both have pets) and his place needs a LOT of love. I like to think of it as a rental fixer-upper. He is slowly coming around. Thanks for the support!

Great post Jennifer - I love your attitude! I'm finally in a rental where I see myself staying for at least a couple of years, so I am ready to put some effort into making some real changes. I just finished painting the bathroom and kitchen which is definitely good, but the main thing that needs some help is my linoleum kitchen floor. I have never seen an uglier shade of mustard brown/yellow. :( I got an idea from one of AT's house tours where someone had made a floor cloth to cover the same embarrassment and I think I'm going to do the same. I just have to do a little research, buy the materials, and get to work. I can't wait!

Lostinlondon, you're assuming everyone hates carpet. I don't mind wall to wall carpet. I chose to buy a house with hardwood floors, but replaced all of the upstairs carpet with new carpet. When I rented, the most important part of rentals was the space. As long as the carpet was clean or relatively new, I didn't mind it. In a rental, if the walls are a little thin, it really helps with sound insulation. I never heard the neighbors above me.

This post is fantastic and I totally agree but can we please eradicate "YOLO" forever? Love the message, and yes, you do only live once, but yolo is ridiculous.

A home is a home rental or no rental, I think you should make it yours as much as possible
if not when will you ever feel at home, make it yours, and when you wake up in the morning you have a feeling of belonging,

decogirlmontreal.com

I definitely put off fixing things that bug me in my rental due to financial issues. Plus, our landlord is flaky and loves to blow us off/not fix things. However, this post inspired me to stop being scared and just e-mail her about the broken bathtub plate. The truth is, the whole bathroom needs to be renovated, but I'll settle for being able to take a bath without all the water leaking out through the plate, and ending up who knows where . . .

Ick, Yolo. But at least it can go in the For Like Ever gallery - http://pinterest.com/shoedaydreams/for-like-ever-everyone-has-it/

i moved into a rental fixer-upper thinking i would barely stay a year...and that was 6 years ago! didn't do much originally (just painted) but when my roommate moved out a few years ago things started in earnest...the first thing i bought for the apartment was a vintage venetian glass chandelier for the dining room (the old brass one is in the closet to be put back when i move out). everyone thought I was crazy, but it really made the place look better. Since then I have installed a new sink and faucet in the bathroom, installed a ceiling fan in my bedroom, stripped and re-painted all the kitchen cabinets, planted flowers in the front yard, and am now embarking on my biggest project to date, stripping all the 1930s woodwork and hardware back to its original glory.

Even 6 years in, I have a long list of things to do: new lighting in the bathroom and hallway, replacing the countertops, maybe even buying a new stove a refrigerator down the line. my husband and i have agreed that for the nominal amount of cost and effort we are expelling, we'd be paying much more for a comparable "refurbished" place within our neighborhood. best to save the $1000+ a month and make our place more liveable day by day!

Totall. Janets cure got me to have my bathroom painted and sending a todo list to my landlord. I am already thinking about having the other 200 ft sq place painted, too. Big difference!!!

There are a lot of myths about "owning" versus "renting" accommodation. In one you pay a landlord and in the other option you are paying rent too only its called "mortgage interest". Banks love hyper property markets - they have millions of customers who think they are home owners when in fact they are administrators for the banks that really "own" the property. Think about it: how many people do you know who are still paying off a mortgage after years and years of "owning" their dwelling. I am 63 and know lots of people my age who still have mortgage debt. We paid our mortgage off 17 years ago - it makes a huge difference to what we can do now - but it requires real discipline but is worth it if you can do it - if you don't trust yourself to have the determination to pay off your mortgage its probably much, much better to rent because as many others have said, insurance and maintenance are big commitments.

I owned out West, but now on the East Coast, forget it. Probably a renter for life now; however, I've always had extremely good luck with landlords that trust my judgement and reimburse me for my handy and creative efforts--that no doubt add value to their properties. A few of my recent projects: $200 mini bathroom remodel http://davidthetornado.com/?p=1975 and a basement recording studio: http://davidthetornado.com/?p=375

Lack of outdoor space is a deal breaker for me. We are all different. As for the wall-to-wall, you may not be able to tear it out in a rental (ask) but you can buy your own rug to cover some, most or even all of the carpeting. However, if carpeting is a deal breaker, move on.

I like Apartment Therapy for the cool ideas, designs and helpful suggestions they have. While I may not have the money to purchase most of the items I see; I do keep a little booklet full of ideas. I rent and while there are restrictions from the landlord (no candles, no painting, etc.) and my budget is super tight; I've found that I can reuse and repurpose most of the items I have in my apartment in other areas.

The January Cure was great in helping me to realize that I don't use my living room in the traditional sense, so it became my workout room, along with the giant tv and a place to store and show off my collection of purses. My office is more organized and the dining room became a great place not only to eat, but to work on craft projects. All it takes really is a little imagination and my rental apartment becomes my home!

@lostinlondon - I just replaced my wall to wall carpet with laminate flooring for about $200 (bought used off of Craigslist). I would go with the place that you love!

We often sign leases for at least a year; that's a long time! So I agree to make your space your own. I had a small storage space when I lived in a tiny place. I used it to store suitcases, an airbed and other larger items I didn't need on a regular basis. I also included my landlord's drapes that were filled with shredded holes from bleach! When I moved in I asked if I could change them out and they said yeah but you need to put them back when you leave. It was crazy cause it was a nice place but the curtains were horrible and should've been thrown away. I always wondered what the new tenants thought when they moved in and those ripped up things were hanging again, instead of the newer ones I had up when they viewed the apartment.

our landlords just refuse, refuse, refuse... anything that we'd do, whould have to be 'restored' to the prior condition when we leave

we don't want to leave, but as rent goes up, up, up... we might be forced to

I live in a rental house and the lighting in the kitchen has always bugged me; i.e., washing the dishes or chopping vegetables in my own shadow. I finally hung an IKEA pendant lamp above my kitchen sink - while it's still a crowded little galley kitchen, the light has made a huge difference for me. Why did it take me 2 years to make this simple, $20 fix???

I became a homeowner at age 48, because my long-term landlord sold the property (he offered it to me, but the bank just laughed). I was able to buy with much help from a local organization that helps lower-income people do just that. For me the crucial issue was my animals--in my area, VERY few apartments allow pets, & those that do usually have a 25 lb limit, & a large monthly surcharge that I could never have afforded.
Even tho' I lived in my first apartment for 3 years & the 2nd for 15, i never really made them mine--it wasn't so much failure of commitment as lack of imagination. Lots I could have done if I'd only thought of it--or if AT had been around then! I was waaay too willing to just accept the staus quo, & rarely made simple & allowable changes that would have made my life much better. Sometimes now I overcome my chronic insomnia by mentally reworking the places I used to live.
So don't just accept it.
Thus endeth the sermon for the day.

After moving around a lot for the last ten years, I just moved into what will be a long-term apt for me. I love it because it has good bones. It's not perfect though, I need a new bathroom sink, a new fridge and the walls & ceilings have lots of cracks in them. I love fixing up places, so it's not a deal breaker for me and much better that I have the freedom to paint it colors I like than a landlord who won't let me touch anything.

The only problem for me now is that I have so many great ideas and so little cash (even for paint at $50 a gallon times four rooms and ceilings) plus all the art work and furniture I want to buy! I buy a lot from thrift stores and craigslist, but I want good pieces that I will love for a lifetime, not crappy stuff that I'll be sick of in a year. So at this rate it will be 4 years before I get it looking like I want it!

Yes, perspective - everyone has their criteria for what is a "lovely environment".
When I was a renter, to make my space feel more 'homey', I purchased items that could easily fit into any space, things I could take with me when I moved - table lamps, rugs, cushions, nice bedding. And I tried to keep things clean and tidy. Painting, ripping up and replacing flooring, changing lights and sinks, refitting curtains would have been unthinkable - even as a homeowner, those things are a HUGE deal for me.

I spent years of my life in rentals and improved every property while I was there. People criticized me for it endlessly. But after one project, I would invite the owner over to see it and then suggest that they pay for materials for what I wanted to do next. Not one ever said no, I rarely had rent increases, and I always got my security deposit back. Yes, it was work, but it was a great learning experience put to work when I finally bought a house.

I agree with the suggestion that metal kitchen cabinets can be painted in a car shop. I've seen it done and it looks great!

In every apartment, I've painted, replaced the shower head (I take it when I move), and installed a programmable thermostat. These go sooo far to a better home life and making a place feel like home!

http://bonnieprojects.blogspot.com/2011/08/installing-programmable-thermostat.html

Have to say, it was this very thing - fixing up the space we're in (at that time over 10 years in the same apartment), cus you know, we LIVE here, that my now ex threw in my face as an example of my complacency with our lives.

I'm now single, still in the same apartment (close to 15 years now) and after spending quite a bit of time painting, redecorating and improving, my place (now a palace for one), looks amazing. I'm the envy of my married (and still compromising) friends, and I'd like to think the envy of my ex with my fabulous lady bachelor pad!

We're in the same housing-bubble-induced situation that a lot of people are: stuck in the "starter" condo we bought years ago, never intending to stay very long. So I hesitate to make any improvements, on the off chance we will get out of here soon. Thanks for the motivation to just FIX it, already!

We run a small not for profit, Green Renters and find the biggest challenges for people are a)lack of long term leases b)dodgy DIY and repairs done by their landlord. Then I made this in celebration of us renters http://greenrenters.org/product/rental-sweet-rental-print

Love this post! I have some great ideas and tips on how to decorate a rental here: http://gailwrightathome.com/2012/05/20/decorating-a-rental/

Love this article. I have been in my rental 7 years after selling my home and I love it. Once you have owned a home that mentality never leaves you, because it's not where u live its how you live. I could not live in a space and never change it. As I change so does my space. In fact, it starts with my space. I firmly believe when you take care of your space you take care of yourself. The fact is even with a mortgage you are still renting until you have that deed in hand. If it is really yours no one can come and take it from you. Perspective!

I have lived in rentals all my adult life, and have several times been blessed with very flexible landlords. The best, were friends that allowed me to paint their 1929 duplex any color, including a David Schneurer style mural in the kitchen. My current management company allows painting as long as I prime upon moving - and that is fine with me. I often have left units with better closets than they came with. Big elfa-style shelving fan, and once the pieces are cut for a specific closet, seldom will just work in another.

For the Cure, I painted a small alcove that I had been waffling about, and am glad I did. It's nice to look out from the couch and see the pop of color in the previous drab and fairly useless space.

So, I urge all, make the space your own. The building may belong to someone else; but the "home" is yours.

@BonnieProjects - I agree about the shower head, I always install one with handheld capability, helps with cleaning the tub. And living in a high water bill city - made sure this one was ecoflow. I've been tempted by the programmable thermostat, but in this unit, I so seldom need either the A/C or heat, just not necessary.

My partner and I moved into a rest stabilized one bedroom in Astoria from the city and love it. With the money we saved in rent we upgraded the apartment. Now we love our super affordable apartment while we save for the infamous NY "down payment".

What we did:

1. Repainted the entire apartment (makes a huge and immediate impact)

2. Replaced our drab slab doors with white modern ones and said good-bye to those ugly brass knobs and hello to some nice chrome handles.

3. Updated the kitchen with a much deeper sink and nice modern chrome spray faucet. We also lucked out by getting new white cabinets (we told them we wouldn't move in unless they put in these specific cabinets)

4. Updated all the light switches and outlets to a nice Lutron one that hides the screws

5. In our bedroom we removed the closet doors and replaced with sliding ones to save space

6. We updated all the ceiling lights: in our bedroom a white cirrus hugger fan/light, a le klint 172a pendant in our living room, and a couple Artemide fixtures in our kitchen and entry way. It looks so much nicer and brighter.

The nice thing is we can take the more expensive purchases with us when we leave.

@Amberly C - you could also cover the lino in peel and stick tiles. I did this in my kitchen and bathroom for $100, and it was worth it. You can take them up with the heat from a hairdryer, so it doesn't permanently alter your rental.

I was never a good candidate for renting because I wasn't assertive enough to stand up to annoying landlords. Landlords get tax breaks and ought to be maintaining properties. But I just could never get any of them to do it properly. With one exception all of the places I lived until I could finally afford to buy had one big problem or another, and landlords resistant to fixing things. The exception was a beautiful house in Indiana where a very decent older woman not only kept everything pristine but actually bought me new furniture (it was a furnished place I lived in grad school when I was far from my own stuff).

I always painted the places I lived, and most landlords didn't mind that. I had one apartment so tiny in Boston that I painted it several times a year--it took about a weekend to paint. And of course, even if a landlord does maintain a property doesn't mean s/he has any taste!

We actually installed a whole new kitchen in our rented apartment. We have been living here for 9 years, love the neighborhood and know the neighbors but just couldn't stand the dated old kitchen, so we ripped it out and installed an ikea kitchen. I'm an interior designer so was able to score some materials for free (yes!) and call on some favors. All up it cost around $4500 which is ok since our rent is so cheap. Wish we'd done it sooner as its awesome and I love it? Some people think we're mad but this is our home and it was so worth it!

"Why would you spend so much of your time (especially your relaxation time) in a place where you don't feel comfortable? That just sends the message that you don't think you deserve to exist in a lovely environment..."
It's not that I didn't feel I deserved a lovely environment, more to do with priorities, and everyone's different. For me, I preferred to put money aside towards my own place, delayed gratification if you will. Perspective.

URGH! Misaligned cabinet and picture frame!

I have owned for seventeen years now (two houses), but I love this site. I want to buy a condo within the next three years. When I rented my decorating and upgrades were of things I could take with me and things I could get out of my landlord at lease resigning. On my last apartment: it had been painted when I moved in but I over the five years there got new carpet, a new kitchen floor (what a mess, they found they had to remove gypcrete (sp?) and replace the subfloor), and the wallpaper removed/repainting of the hall bathroom. Other than that it was about art work, furniture, etc. When I moved from that apartment, which I loved the floor plan, and from the first house I owned, I was sad...until I took my things down and out. Then I realized, for me my home is my stuff in it. Yes, I prefer to have flooring I like and fresh paint on the walls (though I like all white walls so I can add color with art work), but my place is my place because of the things I move with me.

I love this post and the message behind it (minus the tacky acronym part—going with someone's suggestion above not to use the phrase in 2013.) I've been renting for 10 years and when I pick out my own place I actually get it looking really great and having a wonderful space. However, this last year I had to move in with the other half in his current flat that is way too small for the number of us that live here. Any advice on how to clean up and maintain a shared rental with a bunch of roommates that do not respect the space? I'm tired of feeling like I live with a bunch of college guys. Thanks!

I'm with you. plus uneven floors, and cabinets.
(If you're wondering why I took this place, it came with a 900 sq foot backyard in the downtown core of my city).

Does YOLO stand for "Your Obstinate Landlord Objects"? Because that's the real reason my home isn't the way I want it :(

This post could have been my motto for the past three months.

I moved in with my boyfriend into our first "just us and no wacky roommate situation" apartment ever for either of us. We had the choice between two apartments: one completely finished but a little on the small size and another that had a generous living room, eat in kitchen, three closets and was $200 less a month and rent stabilized. The catch? Good bones but every room needed something done.

Being a DIY kinda gal, and a frugalista, I lobbied pretty hard for the larger place. I promised only a month worth of work and then we would have the perfect apartment. I somehow convinced both of us that refinishing a place was a piece of cake that couldn't possibly cost. More than a couple hundred bucks. Ha. Ha. ha........

The best lesson I learned out of the whole process was the importance of prioritizing work. We got so hung up on refinishing doors to the original wood that we lost valuable "none of our stuff is in the place yet" time. I also was hesitant to engage the landlord and super about some smaller issues that needed to be taken care of due to not wanting them to see the construction zone that was two out of three rooms. I wish I had just bit the bullet and gotten them in there sooner. All the improvements we made have been met with impressed words to the point where I was told I could do anything I want with the kitchen floors.

Curious about the list?

Bathroom: stripped the walls of the ugliest wallpaper ever and three lays of paint off of the original subway tiled walls. Replaced shower head, covered generic brown vanity and medicine cabinet with white contact paper and white duct tape to match the tile. Painted the remaining walls cobalt blue to match small blue stripe in retorted tile. Regrouped tile. Covered floor to ceiling heating pipe (it is an old building with radiator heating) with clothesline. Reglazed tub.
Remaining projects: replace crummy vinyl flooring with something that actually sticks to the floor. Refinish door.
Total Cost (so far): $75.00 and hours of chiseling off that paint.

Bedroom: this room was a disaster. The walls have the original moldings (awesome!) but we're visibly uneven and poorly patched.
We sanded them flat where we could, evened them out with plaster of Paris, remanded, replastered and did our best to hide the remaining imperfections with some creative paint techniques. This room also has the only fully stripped down door which literally took off about 10 pounds and 10 layers of paint. I should have planed it off instead of using the stripping agent. We also bought a piece of marble to sit on top of the radiator to help hold heat, limit the dust that collects in the grooves and add a little flat surface for temporary objects. Replace outlet covering so we have more outlets.
Remaining projects: seal the raw wood on the door. Turn overhead (currently unused) light fixture into a ceiling fan. Hang curtains (I have the rods already)
Total Cost (so far): $161. Keep in mind $50 of that was for the stupid door which took me a solid week to do.

Living Room: the easiest room. The walls were in great shape except for a small crack and the moldings were in perfect condition.
I bought all the paint on sale and skipped the priming step since it was just generic white contract paint on the walls to begin. We put a marble slab over this radiator as well.
Remaining projects: hang the curtains already! Maybe build out a wood box for the marble over the radiator to sit in.
Total cost: $52

Hallway: 28 feet long and 3.5 feet wide for the first 18 feet. Walls were in great shape since it was drywall hung over the old walls and just cut into the moldings to kind of match.
I kept it simple. Painted it with paint on sale and painted the furthest, and smallest wall the same deep blue as the bathroom.
Remaining projects: change out the blah fake stained glass pendant shape with something of my own design. Thinking vintage glass canning jar lids and repurposed vintage chandelier crystals. Hang a huge floor to veiling mirror on the blue wall. Install some sort of landing strip that includes coat hoots, shoe rack, small stool, umbrella stand, place for keys by the front door. Somehow... Hang art gallery style on the long wall leading into our place.
Total cost (so far): $10

The Kitchen: oh my. The kitchen. Vinyl squares in such bad shape they would cut our bare feet. Three walls wallpapered yellow, which covered up a poor dry walling job and some questionable stains. Cabinets in a cherry stain that complimented nothing as well as no handles so we always were trying to open the hinge side. Exposed fuse box, like the switches are exposed. The corner by the stove that was not so much a corner as much as a place where extra plaster went to die, unevenly. Let's not even talk about the wall under the sink, ok? But it was a decent size with plenty of cabinets and a window.
We put on pulls to the cabinets. Pulled off the wallpaper, sanded and spackled the walls, sanded again. Primed. Painted a nice shade of yellow that complimented the table and cabinets. With the permission of the landlord, pulled up three layers of crummy flooring, including sunburst yellow and brown 70s tile, scrapped off the old matting and adhesive and found wood. Long neglected, but still it is wood. We were going to install the peels and stick cheapo tiles but why? Instead, we sanded off the remaining 50 years worth of grime, stained it very dark and sealed it. I am actually waiting for it to dry right now.
Remaining Projects: install lights under the cabinets. Hang stainless steel backsplash, shelf along the back of the stove, mount magnetic knife/ utensil bar. Paint moldings. Caulk the gaps in the flooring and along the underside of the baseboard. Hang picture over fuse box.
Total cost: $100

Thanks for letting me get that all out. We still have the three closets to make useable and the many little projects but it is worth it. The place feels more like our home. Than the finished place ever could have been. I now know every little nook and cranny and love the details that make old buildings special. This is still our work in progress, but the diamonds emerging from the rough.

This why I should preview my comments first...

Regrouted tile.
Resanded. Not remanded.

IMPRESSIVE. You should change your username to *resourceful*. I suffered so many negative comments re projects such as this during the many years we were renters. It was worth the sweat equity many times over. Well done.

My husband and I rent and we've been in the same place 2 years (hopefully a 3rd). Since we try to be the best tenants possible, I've found that it gives us leverage to ask for small improvements whenever we renew our lease. Last year it was painting all of the 70's paneled doors and trim white, and painting the walls calm and cool colors. Our landlord payed for the paint and supplies and I did all of the work, which was cost effective. This year I'm hoping they will go for replacing the green laminate counters (to something just as economical, but neutral in color) and possibly refinishing the kitchen cabinets. I feel like if it feels reciprocal, my landlord will totally go for it. Especially since when picking out colors and stuff, I try to be mindful and suggest things that will help them rent the place out to solid tenants in the future.

I just clicked on this article to ask AT to never use the phrase YOLO again. Ever. Please!

This is such a good article! I've been renting since I left my parents' in college and, apart from a little jewel (36 sq real surface and the best finishings ever!) where we lived for a year, the conditions where not so good. Last September we moved to a bigger flat closer to Barcelona city centre and it was great: high ceiling, white door, big windows but... so many faults! Our landlord was not very interested in "exchanging favours" so we had just one choice: fix what we really couldn't stand. Ok, what I really couldn't stand because my husband is much more easygoing! We found lot of inspiration in the internet, especially in blogs and pinterest boards. At the end, thanks to some very good people out there (like Susanna Vento's from Varpunen, Minna of Time of Aquarius, Jennifer from Amerrymishap and Deborah alias a pieceofcake82) we are slowly transforming our rental flat. Sometime you just need the right kind of inspiration, a good dose of creativity, a bit of painting and ...well, that kick to start that you give with this article. I've just finished to paint white our awful brownish bedroom floor and I'm so happy!! Come on, just start! ; )

Great article

Elena / facingnorthwithgracia.blogspot.com

I've been following this site for a while, but have never posted. Definitely want to say thank you for posting this! My (now) husband and I have been renting ever since we were old enough to rent (both as singles and together). I've lived in probably about 6 apartments in the last 7 years and will definitely be renting for a while. We're moving again at the end of this month to an "apartment home" which is more like a townhouse. I agree with a bunch of people above that we can't change anything around, but we will definitely be finding ways to decorate and make it home for us because we're gonna be there a while.

I also wouldn't mind seeing more tips for renters.

It'd be interesting to hear from some of the AT readers whom have had their rentals featured here and have used BOLD colors on how they were able to convince the owners to let them use such daring colors.

This is baffling to me; In Denmark, generally, you can do ''whatever you want'' but you have to restore the space to how it was before you rented it, sorta baseline it. currently I have some dark grey walls, coral walls, blue walls, and I just have to paint it all white, and have it accepted, before handing it over.

How does it work in USA?

LOVE the Taylor Swift reference in the photo. :) Like ever!

I wish that I could invest in nice curtains and stuff for my crappy, hideous apartment, butane moving within the city will cost a minimum of $4,000 (yeah, suck living in a big city), and I have practically no money to begin with, I have to save every penny. Not to mention, those curtains likely won't fit in the new place. Every place so far has had windows/doors of a slightly different height. :(

Can't wait until about a year from now, when my saving will pay off and I can move into a better place, and start furnishing, though!

Agree! Do it for the beauty.

This makes me SO sad; I would so love to give my rental some TLC but nothing can overcome the overwhelming bad taste of my housemate, who lived here long before me and had already "decorated" before I arrived. Sometimes I daydream about throwing out every last eyesore. Until then, there's always Pinterest.

Same here. Loving renting after owning for most of my adult life. Find a space you love and make it yours. If you are improving the space, and not making structural changes, most landlords are just not going to care so long as you pay your rent. If you can sublet your rental for periods of time, the changes/upgrades will make you stand out and get you much more money. I literally pay for my vacations/time away from home via subletting/swaps with trusted partners.

I love it! Going from owner to renter is hard on the psyche. You go from free reign to a very tight reign. Renting has it's perks, though: major repairs? Call the landlord! No furnaces to repair or replace, no mowing or shoveling, no painting the exterior, etc. On the other hand, you have little to no freedom to personalize.

Thank you for the reminder that there really are some smallish things we can do to bring a bit of originality and homeyness (lol) to our rented spaces!

So true. Had I even thought I'd be in my home for 15 years I would have invested in a murphy bed with a fold-out table hidden under it.

Hej til dig Mary!

In the US it varies depending on the rental agreement. As you can tell, some landlords are more strict than others. In my experience, landlords who own one or two rental properties are more likely to be flexible than managers of large apartment complexes.

I'm an American who has spent a couple of months in Aalborg DK...currently missing it.