White. Vast expanses of white, with nary a colored wall in sight. Such is the life of an apartment dweller. Advice on using soothing shades on the wall is met with screams of indignation, “I can’t use any color on my walls!” Here are a few tips to help you take your landlord’s blank white canvas, and make it into your own personal work of art.
Okay, color covering the walls is out. How about color on the walls? Go to a fabric store and find an eye catching fabric that you like. Use double sided tape to create a wall covering with it. You don’t need to cover an entire wall, use it above the couch instead of a large picture (which would use picture hangers that required nails to support the weight). Maybe you can find an inexpensive tapestry/rug at a flea market to hang on the wall. Small paintings or photos can be used if you purchase the two part adhesive hangers. You moisten the backs, and put the tab with the metal hanger on the wall, and the tab with the eyelet on the back of the picture. I use them myself, and they do stick tightly! They remove easily without leaving any sign that they were ever there. I’ve also seen a new self-adhesive wall paper border that supposedly removes easily without damaging the walls. I haven’t tried them myself, but if they work, this would be a fantastic way to actually do something to the walls.
Plants are another great choice. Big plants. If you have a brown thumb, trot down to any Wal-Mart and by a few silk ficus trees. Stick them in a few corners for a burst of green. Smaller plants or even silk flowers in vases on other surfaces will add a touch of color to the room.
Try positioning mirrors opposite artwork that you do have on the walls. This visually “copies” the art to the opposing wall. If you frequent flea markets of craft malls, you can pick up some absolutely gorgeous stained/etched/mirror pictures. Generally it will be a mirrored center, with a stained and/or etched glass frame around the center. Great way to add some brilliant colors to a room!
Apartments usually have rather boring carpet on the floor. Beige and dark brown seem to be prevalent in the rental market, probably because they hide dirt well. Head to Wal-Mart again and pick up a 5′X8′ area rug for less than $60.00. They usually have matching throw rugs and runners available that you can scatter in other areas to tie the whole thing together.
If you have a large piece of artwork that you really want to hang, but can’t because of the resulting nail holes, try this trick. Buy three 5 shelf book shelves (about 6 feet tall) and screw them together so they’re one unit. Attach the painting/print to the front of the bookshelves, centered. Fill the remaining open shelves with books or a collection of knick-knacks.
Another good investment (if you have spare cash) is to buy one of the portable, sterno burning fireplaces. They cost about $500.00, but they look real, and don’t have to be anchored to a wall. You can take it with you when you move with no problems. Plus, nothing beats a crackling fire for ambience in a room! The cans of fuel aren’t horribly expensive, unless you plan on using them every day. They’re cheap enough that you can treat yourself to an occasional fire without breaking the bank.
I hope this gives all of you rental dwellers some ideas, and helps you turn your boring beige and white dwelling into a colorful, welcoming home!
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