WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES AUGUST 15, 2019 15
Video footage helped detectives
arrest a Glendale man last
week who allegedly robbed a
Ridgewood grocery store at knifepoint
and assaulted a store employee.
Even if you don’t own the house you
lease, there’s no reason you can’t make
it feel like home by taking a creative
approach to designing and decorating
your space.
More U.S. households are renting
now than at any point in the last 50
years. That’s why Invitation Homes,
the premier home leasing company in
the United States, put together a team
of design experts to create the “Make
It Home” design forecast with leasefriendly,
aff ordable design and decor
ideas created with renters in mind.
Before starting any design, you need
a plan. Here are a few tips to reimagine
your rental home:
Embrace Color and Pattern
Emily Henderson, author of “Styled,”
a “New York Times” bestseller, believes
color gives a room life, but it doesn’t have
to be on the walls. With rugs, textiles
and furniture, you can have a lively,
fun, lease-friendly room by choosing
colors that are on the opposite sides of
the color wheel to ensure balance.
Personalize Gallery Walls
The gallery wall is still having a
moment, and this decorative element is
all about customization. All you need is
a little wall space and some creativity
to infuse your space with a heavy dose
of you. Henderson suggests displaying
your favorite photos, prints and unique
items like personal mementos to give
them the eye-catching showcase they
deserve.
Temporary Wall Coverings
A permanent wall texture or
design may be a no-no in a rental, but
removable wallpaper is a yes-yes and an
instant way to add personality to your
space. Brittany Hayes, author of the
“Addison’s Wonderland” blog, believes
that bold and daring geometric patterns
are perfect for creating an accent wall.
Or simply incorporate your favorite
colors to embrace a custom feel while
you lease.
Unconventional Storage
Staying organized is key when
living a leasing lifestyle. “Live Pretty
on a Penny” blog writer Erin Marshall
recommends using space-saving and
unconventional items that are beautiful
and functional to eff ectively store and
organize items. Look for furnishings
that are both attractive and practical so
you can achieve the look you want with
the benefi t of added storage. Options
like nesting chairs or storage boxes
that double as benches can add seating
options with a modest footprint.
Live Outdoors
Maximize your living space by
creating usable outdoor settings. With
the right combination of outdoor seating,
pillows, shade and colorful planters,
you can turn any patio into an outdoor
oasis, said Rhoda Vickers, author of the
“Southern Hospitality” blog. Whether
you treat the space as a garden retreat
or an extension of your entertaining
area where guests can spill out during a
party, the right decorative elements can
allow you to add livable square footage
without any construction.
Reimagine Lighting
Set the tone of each room by
incorporating LED bulbs to brighten
up the space or smart home bulbs that
allow you to change the ambience as you
wish. Kevin O’Gara, the “Thou Swell”
blog writer, approaches design with
the idea that every room should have
a mix of lighting, including overhead,
accent and task lights, so it’s the perfect
opportunity to get creative with setting
the mood. Take your design beyond
basic by installing your own fi xtures
that enhance the room’s lighting and add
a decorative element that complements
the overall aesthetic.
Give Space a Dual Purpose
It’s all about maximizing your space
when leasing, according to Brittni
Mehlhoff , author of the “Paper and
Stitch” blog. Make the most of a space
that can pull double-duty. For example,
in a space such as your guest room,
create a bookshelf that doubles as a desk
and serves as your home offi ce, as well.
Make it a Smart Home
Smart homes aren’t just for
homeowners. Options like thermostats,
doorbell cameras, smart locks, light
bulbs and smart plugs all can be easily
integrated into a rented property,
said Meghan Giddens, design expert
at Invitation Homes. In fact, nearly
everything in your home can be
connected to the internet and controlled
by your smart device. Just keep any
originals stored safely, and when it
comes time to move out, swap out
your devices.
Light and Bright Paint
Cooler paint tones and white trim can
brighten a room and off er a timeless
color scheme. Plus, they welcome ofthe
moment decor. If your lease allows
it, Giddens recommends creating a light
and airy ambiance with paint to bring
a rental space to life. If you’re unsure
about your lease guidelines, talk to your
property manager before painting.
Visit InvitationHomes.com for more
tips on how to make a rented house
a home.
Courtesy Family Features
AT HOME
Rent or own, make your house a home
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