Six ways to make a rental feel like home

Michele Lerner, The Washington Post

Living in an apartment doesn't have to mean residing in a sterile white box. Interior designer Kelley Proxmire has several suggestions to help renters make their place feel more like a home despite constraints in the leasing agreement.

1. Paint is one of the easiest ways to brighten a space and make it your own. Keep the color consistent throughout the home and consider an accent wall in a vibrant color that would work well behind a gallery wall. Keep in mind the leasing agreement might require you to paint the walls the original color when the lease ends.

2. Add art that you can take with you when you leave. Use removable hanging strips to hang the art rather than nails.

3. Incorporate rugs in each room. You can layer them in the main living area and add accent rugs under the dining table and in the bedroom. Patterns are a great way to add color to a space, especially if layered with a solid colour or a sisal rug.

4. Throw in pillows that pick up the colours in the rugs for a cohesive look. Or splurge on a fun fabric for pillows to add colour.

5. Buy a couple of quality pieces that you can move from place to place. Since apartments tend to be smaller than a home, limit the quality pieces to accessories, such as lamps and side tables, so that the scale will work in a future home. Acrylic tables are versatile accessories.

6. Add an ottoman when possible. Ottomans provide extra seating for guests, are compact and portable, and easily moved from place to place. Plus it's another way to add fun fabrics and colors at a small cost.