You and your roommate stand to stare at the blank wall in the living room trying to decide how to best fill the space.
In sync, you both tilt your head slightly to the right in order to get another angle of the massive area behind the sofa. You can’t leave it as is, the starkness of the white wall looks like a barren tundra, much too cold for both you and your roommates taste. That Basquiat painting you saw online is WAAAAAY out of the budget.
As you drum your index finger on your chin, suddenly it hits you like a jarring Conor McGregor punch! Why don’t you design your own piece of art! But before you start pulling out the acrylics, canvas, glitter, and fabric, your roommate reminds you there are a few restrictions on your creative brilliance.
When renting, you must always keep in the forefront of your mind, that you do NOT OWN the property.
As a result, there are certain updates and renovations that will be strictly off limits. Generally, any craft project, design element or decoration must not physically and permanently alter your rental unit. So even the most adept handy person, should not be removing walls, constructing walls, opening or closing doorways, ripping up carpet, changing the floor plan or even apply paint or decals to the wall of the unit without the explicit written and verbal consent of the property owner, (notice I said property owner, not the manager, but the person or persons who actually OWN the unit). Making any of the aforementioned changes will most certainly lead to your eviction, loss of your deposit, a hefty fine and possibly a legal convention in small claims court.
Now that we have established what you should avoid in terms of a project, let’s explore the possibility of a craft venture.
A Tire Ottoman is a perfect upcycle addition to any space, especially smaller apartment units. It affords additional seating without adding too much bulk. To make this creation, you’ll need an old tire, sisal rope and lots of glue! The cost to create this little beauty is about $40, (if you can get the tire for free). When constructing the project, be sure you clean the tire thoroughly at a car wash, not in your bathroom and use plenty of newspaper to ensure you don’t get glue on the floor.
Chalk Painting is another wonderful craft element that will enhance your living space.
Chalk paint is a bit more expensive than paint on the walls, but you don’t have to do nearly as much prep to your furniture before you paint. Buy or acquire an old piece from a place such as Goodwill and go to town! There is a myriad of Pinterest ideas for chalk painted furniture designs, and tons of how-to videos on YouTube. Remember, only paint furniture that you have already fully paid for.
If you’re renting items from your landlord or are renting from any other party, DO NOT PAINT THAT FURNITURE! Remember that discussion we had about ownership, it applies here too! Use painters drop cloths and old newspapers to catch any paint spills. As always be careful to not stain the carpet, wall, and flooring of your unit.
Crafting can be both thrifty and therapeutic, just be sure your project is within the means of your lease agreement. If ever in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask management!
About the author:
Kelli Roberts is an imaginative freelancer on a mission to create, teach and heal. She aspires to expand lives through writing and her understanding of neuroscience and positive psychology. Kelli is fulfilling her purpose in Southern Illinois, just outside of St. Louis, Missouri. Connect with her on Instagram @Wildflower_Curls.
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