rental house design trick

As we wait for the housing market to improve, many of us find renting to be a nice solution.  Like others in our neighborhood, we rent out our personal home during the peak vacation season.  While our home is being rented, we rent another home.  As a result, I’m always on the hunt for budget-friendly design ideas.

Here’s a simple design idea for adding some style to a rental home without having to make big, expensive changes.  I’ll start with the small room I’m using as my home office.

DESIGN DILEMMA:  Tiny room with a big depressing, blank wall.  The paint color is an off-white with an orange tint…not easy to work with.  Repainting is not allowed.

BUDGET-FRIENDLY SOLUTION:  In lieu of pricey artwork, I hung a series of inexpensive white plates.  The dramatic grouping adds visual interest and a warmer cream, and therefore distracts from the existing wall color.  All of the plates totaled $80.  I offset the monochromatic look with a pop of color – a fun blue side table found at a local second hand shop.  This is big impact design that is very easy to install and take down when you move.

Sources:

Plates – Marshall’s and T.J. Maxx

Ghost Chair – Joss and Main details over here (love their products!)

Blue side table – Ava’s Attic Consignment shop 850.424.6767

Flowers – Bella Flora 850.267.1111

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The beautiful flower arrangement is from new sponsor, Bella Flora.  I’m obsessed with everything in their shop!

Whenever I want pretty flowers, I just tell owner, Melanie to design whatever she wants…that’s the best way to get a beautiful arrangement.   She knows I love white and always takes care of me there ; )  This time she surprised me with her handmade, moss-covered container.  I never know what to expect from her designs, which makes it that much more exciting.

Happy Monday!