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5 DIY updates for your rental living room

By Guest Poster โ€ข 5 Comments

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By Kay Harrison

No question, the renterโ€™s life is far from glam. But yourย decorย doesnโ€™t have to follow suit. A little out-of-the-box thinking is all you need to transform your space into a home sweet haven.ย Sure, there will always be those boxes that you cart from place to place unsure of theirย contents but too frightenedย to investigate. But cloaked in a niceย throwย and arranged around aย coffee table, these can double as a boho-chic living nook.

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Photo credit: Style Me Pretty

But jokes aside, decorating your home-on-loan is difficult. For one, thereโ€™s the investment and effort vsย length of stay ratio to consider. But a few quick and simple (and cheap) adjustments can go a long way. After all, time has a way of getting away with you. And a refugeย from the outside world isย theย most must-have of must-haves.

So today, weโ€™re turning to your living space and weโ€™ve put together a few easy DIY tips to make your space more livable.

Fire things up with faux wall-panelling

www.cardiganjunkie.com_2011_03_what-to-read-dabble-magazine.html
Photo credit: Cardigan Junkie

Dabble Magazineย proves you can change the world with two paint colours, painterโ€™s tape, a metal ruler, a level and a little DIY know-how. Above, they show us how to achieve aย geo-chic look with just a little patience.ย Canโ€™t paint?ย Washiย tape is to DIY decor what half a toothpick isย MacGyver. It doesnโ€™t look like much but it can save your life. Washi tape is the perfect antidote to too much beige.ย Apartment Therapy also have some great suggestions forย removable wall-panelling options.

Realise that New York loft look

Screen Shot 2015-04-14 at 8.08.28 am
Add an exposed brick wall to your space without the dust and fuss with these wallpapers. Photo credit: Zanui

Love that urban-industrial warehouse style? Introduce exposed-brick walls into your space with easy-to-apply wallpapers. Obviouslyย this is asking for a more flexible landlord, but if you donโ€™t ask, you donโ€™t get. And if youโ€™re planning on staying there a while, this kind of investment gives back ten-fold.

Re-purpose vintageย tableclothsย for super-cute curtains

Photo credit: Apartment Therapy
Photo credit: Apartment Therapy

We love that chintz meets lace look. You can create your very own window valances (use lace tablecloths) or curtains (use floral and patterned) with minimal fuss. Shop your local Vinnies to add some serious-nana style to your space. You can find curtain rings with metal clips attached for this uber simple make-overย at the likes of Spotlight.

Line yourย shelving

Photo credit: HGTV
Photo credit: HGTV

Better yet, line behind, underneath, even on top of yourย shelving. Adding colour in unexpected spaces adds individuality to your home. Plus it keeps it neat and chic. And itโ€™s easy to re-line with plain white when you leave.

Define it withย decals

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Photo credit: Zanui

 

Removable wall decals redefine your space instantly and peel away when you have to leave. And there is an almost infinite number on the market โ€“ fromย Banksyย designs toย quotes and iconic rockstars.ย Canโ€™t argue with that.

Hereโ€™s to making a little sanctuaryย for yourself in your rentalย home! Go forth, chickens! Nest!

—ย Kay Harrison is a feature, blog and copywriter. She has work published in ACP magazines, ABC fiction, Overland, Seizure, trade publications and online forums and her creative writing has won several awards. Kay wrote this piece for Zanui.

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April 23, 2015

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There's nothing like ticking off little jobs! We f There's nothing like ticking off little jobs! We finally knocked out our 60s brown tile back step and replaced it with a smaller grey one made from @trexcompany Island Mist decking to match our deck (that went in 4.5 years ago) and now painted brick exterior. Making the step smaller allowed us to add in an additional manhole under the back door too to allow easier access under the house at the back. And we made a cover for that too (final slide) using Trex. I say "we" but I really mean our handyman ๐Ÿ˜‰ One plank was enough for both jobs. Why we didn't do this ages ago I do not know but it's done now! ๐Ÿ˜ Installed with @trexrainescape to ensure it stays dry and lasts!

Disclosure: Plank of Trex decking was gifted. I paid for the handyman.

#backstep #doorstep #deck #decking #deckdesign #deckideas #compositedecking #trex #trexdecking #greydecking

Mat from @doormatau
Me and @fantasticfurniture go WAY back! When I fir Me and @fantasticfurniture go WAY back! When I first came to Australia in my 20s, it's where I headed to buy everything I needed for my first apartment at an incredible price! And I've loved watching the range get more and more impressive over the years as my knowledge of furniture has increased. I had no idea how extensive their Aussie Made sofa range was though. I'd love you to check out the options via link in bio as I think you'll be impressed! I think we have a renewed appreciation for Aussie Made and supporting local manufacturing and jobs and this is a great success story. We love a bit of high low decorating, and turns out Fantastic Furniture is a great place to find your family lounge, a special accent chair, an extra ottoman for occasional seating and so much more. 

#fantasticfurniture #aussiemade #australianfurniture #FindyourFantastic #FantasticFamily #affordablehomewares #affordablefurniture #custommadesofa #custommadelounges #australianhomes #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsdaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Please don't show my boys this room or they'll wan Please don't show my boys this room or they'll want one like it!

How gorgeous is this Brisbane kids' bedroom?! 

@brittwhitestudio worked closely with the boys (aged 7 and 9) to understand their needs with a bespoke bunk bed solution crafted by BRC Cabinets, featuring ample storage as well as an under-stair hidey-hole, a useful reading nook for books and a built-in charger for electronics. Local craftsmen Emmettโ€™s Ropes designed and hand-tied the ropework on the top bunk and the supporting pillar beneath.

Head over to the blog via link in bio to see and read more!

#bunkroom #bunkbed #bunkbedsforkids #bunkbeds #bespokebunkbeds #custommadebunkbeds #sharedbedroom #sharedbedroomforkids #boysroominspo #boysroomdecor #junglebedroom #kidsroomstyle #kidsroomstyling #childrensrooms #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #brittwhitestudio #highriseliving #apartmentlifestyle #penthouses #apartmentlivingwithkids #newsteadbrisbane 

Pix by @joebrosnan.photo
Comment your fave: 1, 2 or 3? Just 3 of the kitch Comment your fave: 1, 2 or 3?

Just 3 of the kitchens in the @duluxaus Colour Awards 2023 shortlist which will give you some serious inspiration!

Loads more gorgeous residential rooms to see on the blog this morning via link in bio.

Projects by @studio__bright @kaiko_design and Georgie Shepherd Interior Design. Pix by @arorygardiner @fiona_susanto and @christophermorrisphoto 

#duluxcolour #duluxpaint #duluxaus #duluxcolourawards #duluxcolourawards2023 #moodykitchen #allwhitekitchen #designerkitchen #sagekitchen #boldkitchen #colourfulkitchen #colouredkitchen #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount
We're a bit obsessed with Cara Standen's balcony m We're a bit obsessed with Cara Standen's balcony makeover using @kmartaus stone tiles!

Nineties townhouse in Lennox Head or villa in Greece? You decide! All up it cost $2000 including all materials and she did the work herself.

Read all about it via link in bio now.

Love your work @twin_palms_lennox

#kmartaustralia #kmartdiy #kmarthack #kmarthome #modernmediterranean #balconymakeover #balconyideas #diybalcony #budgetdiy #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Wallpaper in every single room! What do you recko Wallpaper in every single room!

What do you reckon? You'd think it would be overkill but it isn't because so many of the designs are subtle yet still impactful.

Head over to the blog to see how @grafico_walls transformed this blank canvas Melbourne townhouse with their products, which you've probably seen on The Block over the years. And read how Damian Corney has grown this Melbourne business with wife Adele and a growing team. There's also a look inside the very cool Motley Hotel which has used a whopping 4km of their wallpaper throughout!

You can also watch a video tour with Bec Douros as the house featured on Open Homes Australia over the weekend.

Via link in bio now.

#wallpapergoals #wallpaperdesign #australianwallart #australianwallpaper #wallmurals #wallpapermural #wallpapermurals #wallpapereddoor #digitalwallpaper #digitallyprintedwallpaper #customwallpaper #wallpaperaesthetic #wallpapertrends #wallpaperaustralia #grafico #graficowallcoverings #melbournebusiness #melbournesmallbusiness #openhomesaustralia #theblock #becdouros
Kids and fluffy chickens. Does it get any cuter?! Kids and fluffy chickens. Does it get any cuter?! 

Braved the rain second morning in a row to feed the animals at @edenfarmescape because life's too short to worry about a bit of mud and drizzle!

Feeling relaxed ๐Ÿฅฐ
Did you see this cracking little transformation on Did you see this cracking little transformation on @sellinghousesaus last night?

We have all the finer details on the blog today via link in bio. Particularly love the kitchen refresh using the existing blue cupboards which really weren't doing anything for me before ๐Ÿ˜‚

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #beforeandafterkitchen #beforeandafterrenovation #beforeandafterlivingroom #renoshow #realreno #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #bluekitchen #budgetkitchenmakeover #budgetdiy #budgetmakeover
How's this for a compact back yard TRANSFORMATION? How's this for a compact back yard TRANSFORMATION?!

Our friends at @mintdesignau have done it again!

Homeowner Briony Marsh says: Itโ€™s totally changed our home lifestyle now we can sit outside on the lounge in the sun or shade, be in the pool, spa, sauna or cooking pizzas and hanging out with friends. It sounds cliched but it really feels like we are on holiday at home!โ€

Head over to the blog to see the finer details, including a sauna and a seriously good looking copper pizza oven. There's a lot packed into this space!

#backyards #smallpools #smallpool #homesauna #pizzaovens #outdoorpizzaoven #landscapedesigner #mintdesign #holidayathome #resortstylehomes #landscapeartist #backyard #exteriorinspiration #exteriormakeover #exteriordesigns #pergoladesign #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Avatarprettyofficerkidd says

    April 23, 2015 at 10:49 pm

    Is there a source for that trompe l’oeil exposed brick wallpaper? Thanks!

    Reply
  2. Avatarlauracoytedoug says

    April 27, 2015 at 9:45 am

    I’m drooling over these images!! Love love love

    Reply
  3. AvatarAction Property Inspections says

    April 27, 2015 at 9:51 pm

    I adore that look of the exposed brick! Looks amazing with any decor

    Reply
  4. AvatarMathew Reed says

    May 4, 2015 at 9:27 pm

    Living room is the most important part of a home, where all the family members relax and enjoy with each other..when you thing about boost home beauty. curtains are most important element which add beauty and style in your home. Curtain Cleaning

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Weekly Roundup #2 | prettyofficerkidd says:
    April 24, 2015 at 5:59 am

    […] been thinking about adding a DIY wood panel wall to the master bedroom, but after seeing this post, I’m now considering trompe l’oeil wallpaper in a white exposed brick pattern. […]

    Reply

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