BROKE IN TWEED

Dear Chey,

I’m going to have my own apartment for the first time and I am super excited. I know what my style is—twee and girly with pastel pinks and creams. However, thinking about how to create my dream home in a rental is daunting.

“My budget allows for a studio space and many landlords seem to be married to charcoal grey and chrome.”

-Lovergirl-

The bathroom tiles, floor and skirting boards are all dark. They have a built-in desk and a double bed that also fit the description.

I read your recent article on room dividers and loved the idea of using curtains as dividers. However, the place I’m signing a rental contract on is a small, A-frame studio. I also have a tight budget so I’m not sure how I could afford this look.

The double bed swallows up the space so I’m hoping they’ll let me get rid of it. It has a small kitchenette—no wall cabinets or upper shelving, so I’m worried about kitchenware and food storage.

Is it still possible to have a place I love?

-Lovergirl

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Dear Lovergirl,

First of all, a massive congratulations on getting your first home. It’s a step in the right direction and I hope it will give you space to grow and thrive.

That being said, I have the utmost sympathy for you. It seems you got the landlord special. However, I wouldn’t say you have design problems that can’t be solved.

Rental Furniture Sucks But Hang in There

In your predicament, a furnished (albeit charcoal grey) space might actually work in your favour. Research peel and stick products and find some styles that you like to cover the desk and grey areas (no pun intended). To get you started, I think your style suggests that you’re into something warm. Why not cover the floors with these light, wood-toned vinyl planks? The desk and other worktops could be covered in a light oak vinyl wrap to add back some of that warmth it’s missing. The skirting could be covered with a self-adhesive foam skirting border which you can paint any colour you’d like.

*This article contains affiliate links, so Broke in Tweed may earn a commission if you click and make a purchase*

Have you ever been on a cinema sofa? With a valance mattress cover to put over the bed when guests come and an extra-large wedge pillow, a double bed could definitely play the part quite well. However, without some decor, it’ll still look quite bare so be sure to find some that fits your style. Conveniently, The Range has just dropped a Bow-themed Collection so be sure to check it out.

Managing with a Kitchenette

Freestanding shelving units that sit on your kitchen worktop could also help, but assuming you have a small worktop area, I’d avoid that to allow you a place to chop food and plate up dishes.

A good no-drill option for storage with the kitchenette is a breakfast bar in place of a traditional dining table as it often has drawers, shelves and hooks. To stay on theme with warm wood tones, this HOMCOM breakfast bar seats two and has a light wood-toned veneer. If you still need a worktop shelving unit, this three-tier product is top tier (pun intended).

A Solution for A-Frame Curtain Dividers

You can still do curtain dividers in an A-frame but I’d use it sparingly to separate the social from the solitary (if you’re planning to host people you’re not close to, it can be weird being able to see the bed).

The products I suggest in that article aren’t suitable (gravity would work against you in this instance). What you need are some curtain hooks but assuming you can’t make holes in the walls as you’re renting, I’d recommend self-adhesive hooks. They rotate, so you don’t need to worry about the curtains falling off.

For the social areas, I’d use texture, lighting, decor and furniture placement to create different zones in your studio. You’ll feel the shift when you’re in your lounge if it has a completely different atmosphere to your dining area. Compartmentalisation in design (and general high-effort design) also has an impact on your psychological wellbeing, so take this as permission to make your rental a place you love.

-Chey

If you want to ask Cheyenne an interior design or decor question, you can send your submissions here.