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The colorful and retro-modern bathroom is honestly the hippest space to shower I've ever seen.

When Laci Mosier first started renting this one-bedroom Brooklyn apartment, she slept on an air mattress for six weeks while she waited for her things to arrive from Texas. Four years later, and she’s filled the rental with art, color, books, plants, and sunshine.

When Heather Pardieu first saw this small Hollywood studio apartment 14 years ago, it was under construction and covered in debris. But she was able to see the small space's potential.

After a long-term breakup, Emily Sermons rented this 130-year-old apartment near Central Park and designed it just for herself, filling it with velvet, vintage finds, and an utterly fantastic marble mantel.

Lou Crane has DIYed nearly every inch of her historic home in the U.K. She's lovingly restored gorgeous architectural character like ceiling roses, coving, paneling, sash windows, stained glass, fireplaces, and wood floors, but has also added tons of color, pattern, and personality.

There have been a few modern updates, though.

In just 500 square feet, painter Josh Ayala created a warm, stylish space that’s part art studio, home, and place to show off personality.

This bungalow in Austin “honors its 1939 roots while feeling fresh, intentional, and tailored for modern living, with a seamless flow between indoors and out” thanks to the brilliant remodel by the homeowner and interior designer Ali Burgoon Nolan.

Lauren and Nathanael were picky buyers and this house checked NONE of their boxes. “It was outdated, a little quirky, and did not match anything on our wish list.” The couple balanced updating this 1950s house with keeping its original charm while also weaving in three generations of heirlooms.

Hee Yeon Hwang loves the colors lavender and green, art, trinkets, daisies, and her dog, Doo Yoo. And she’s managed to showcase all of these elements and more in her tiny rental on the Upper East Side.

There are so many rental-friendly DIY projects, too!

When these renters first moved into this bungalow, it was stuck in the 1980s, with stage red velvet curtains/drapes in the living room, a "tired kitchen" and the original 1980s pink bathroom suite.

Designer Hollis Loudon’s New York City home is just as patterned, energetic, gorgeous, and bold as you’d imagine!

Every inch of Brian’s Vancouver rental was designed by Jennifer Bassett, cofounder of Twobytwo Architecture Studio, to have tons of personality with an all-blue bedroom, floral wallpaper, and killer built-ins holding a vintage record collection.

Painter Holly Salerno lives in a 94-year-old former factory turned into a dreamy loft. Despite it being an open space, she's been able to create a cozy home using romantic vintage furniture and curtains to divide the space.

Packed with art, vintage treasures, and personal touches, this 400-square-foot Manhattan apartment is an incredibly cozy, warm, and personal home for a creative couple and their cute dog.

The vibe of the place is giving plantsy! Artsy! Booksy!

“It was a true blank canvas!” begins Tess Roy (@tessandteddy_ on TikTok) of this brand-new 500-square-foot studio apartment she’s been renting for two months, paying $3,015 a month. “I’ve been living in NYC on and off for about eight years, and in June, I finally hit the jackpot — I got an apartment through the NYC housing lottery!

Despite being built in the 18th century, this rental apartment feels fresh thanks to clean lines, art, light, plants, and vibrant statement pieces.

“Renter-friendly” doesn’t have to mean boring! This family of six’s apartment went from “cookie-cutter” to absolutely unforgettable — and on a budget, too!

Jennelle Mendes' 450-square-foot Brooklyn rental apartment came with absolutely zero closets — so she had to get creative with storage solutions in her small space. And she created an incredibly cozy bed cocoon, too!

This builder-grade new build in Oslo had white walls, a gray kitchen, and 0 character, but the owners added warmth and personality to the 475-square-foot apartment with incredibly cool custom plywood furniture.

“When I first walked into this apartment, I felt like I was stepping into a version of myself I had only seen in my dreams,” Sofiyat says.