• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Decorate
  • Home Tour
    • Our Current Home
    • Our First House
    • Room Reveals
  • Shop
    • Shop The House
    • Amazon Store
    • Shop My Instagram
  • Printables
  • Subscribe
  • About

The Home I Create logo

<?php wp_title(''); ?>
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Start Here
  • Printables
  • Shop
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Start Here
    • Printables
    • Shop
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Paint Colors

    Decorate, Living Room, Paint Colors, Renter Friendly

    The Best Renter Hacks for Your Living Room

    Hey friends! Today I'm sharing with you the one thing that has made the biggest difference in the living room of my rental home, as part of a monthly series called The Best Renters Hacks!

    This awesome series is the brainchild of Kathy from Up To Date Interiors, who's rental is amazing! Each month I will join her along with other DIY/home decor bloggers to share decorating tips and DIY's for different spaces in your rental.

    Renter friendly | living room small | space solutions | white sectional | thehomeicreate.com

    My husband and I have been renters since 2010. We have rented homes in Arizona, Arkansas, New Jersey, and currently Tennessee.

    Needless to say, we've learned quite a bit over the last 7 years on making a home we love out of our rentals.

    Renter friendly | living room small | space solutions | white slipcover l | thehomeicreate.com

    The Best Renter Hacks for your Living Room

    The one thing that has made the biggest difference in our rentals living room is paint!

    So, let me share with you how some paint made me fall in love with the living room in our rental. And why as a renter you shouldn't underestimate the power of a can {or two} of paint!

    When we moved into this house the walls on the entire lower level was painted a bright yellow color, including the two-story living room 😟.

    Let me be clear there is nothing wrong with yellow. I like the color yellow. On every single wall, in an open-plan house, not so much.

    Knowing we would have to hire someone for such a massive paint job. I convinced myself and hubby that I could live with it when we decided on this rental.

    I tried you guys. I really did. I even added decor pieces I thought would make the yellow more bearable. Like those chair covers and pillows.

    Honestly speaking though, there are times when no amount of accessories can make up for living with something that generally makes you unhappy.

    Could I have lived with it if I had no other choice? Sure. However, I've learned from years of renting that your temporary home is still your home. Your refuge from the world.

    So in my humble opinion, it's important that you make it a place that serves you and or your family well when you're in it {especially if you're homebody like me}. 

    Mother's Day 2015 came around 3 months after we moved in. Guess what hubby got me?

    I'm sure you guessed it, a paint job for the lower level.

    Sherwin Williams Repose Gray

    We went with Sherwin Williams Repose Gray. A beautiful light gray.

    I wish I could truly express what a difference it made!

    Renter friendly | living room small | space solutions | gray sectional l | thehomeicreate.com

    The room felt bigger and brighter. This is ironic if you consider the sunny yellow that was previously on the walls.

    Renter friendly | living room small | space solutions | white slipcover l | thehomeicreate.com

    Almost 2 years later, our living room has evolved into a space that both my family and I love, and love spending time in.

    I'm not sure it could have ever become the room you see today if it was still that bright yellow color.

    Renter friendly | living room small | sunburst mirror | white slipcover l | thehomeicreate.com

    I know painting can be a headache sometimes. Especially if you have to paint it back when you're ready to move out.

    But, chances are unless it's super temporary housing {6 months or less}, you will be living in said rental for at least 1 year. That's 52 weeks, 365 days, 8760 hours {you get the idea} of potentially living in a space that makes you unhappy.

    When you divide what you paid for the paint and or labor. I'm certain the cost would be worth it to have a space you can embrace and just be happy in.

    Renter friendly | living room small | sunburst mirror | white slipcover l | thehomeicreate.com

    A final thought

    I know getting the advice to paint your rental isn't exactly new. However, this is the fourth home we've rented in the last 7 years and I wrestled with this decision almost every time.

    So I'm hopeful my living room paint story might give you some encouragement to go ahead and talk to your landlord. Spend that weekend giving your place a fresh canvas with some paint. It might just be the difference you need to start loving your rental.

    Be sure to check out the other awesome tips by clicking the links below!

    Kathy @ Up to Date Interiors 

    Monica @ Monica Wants It 

    Jess @ Domicile 37 

    Renter friendly | living room small | small space solutions | thehomeicreate.com

    Thanks for stopping by!

    blogsignatureMAIN
    « $15 Faux Bamboo Mirror Makeover
    Master Bedroom Decor Update »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jennifer Beck says

      September 20, 2017 at 7:58 pm

      Can you tell me the color of your paint? I want to repaint my living room and I love your color.

      Reply
      • Linda P. says

        September 24, 2017 at 1:18 pm

        Hi Jennifer, the color is Repose Gray by Sherwin Williams. It's a beautiful true gray with a slightly warm undertone. I hope that helps.

        Reply
    2. CG says

      March 26, 2017 at 8:11 pm

      The paint is beautiful & I love your decorating ideas.. if you don't mind me asking what is the name of the paint that you used?

      Reply
      • Linda P. says

        March 28, 2017 at 1:18 pm

        Thank you CG! The Color Is Repose Gray By Sherwin Williams.

        Reply
    3. Celeste says

      February 27, 2017 at 5:14 pm

      I have to say, that's such a creative Mother's Day gift idea! And the difference in paint color really makes a world of a difference in that space! I know painting rentals can be a hassle when you have to paint them back, but I agree, it is totally worth it. It completely changes the look and feel of the room. Love the new color!

      Reply
    4. Vin says

      February 23, 2017 at 11:13 am

      You are so right, what a transformation paint makes. One of the biggest issues with our rental is that we can't paint 😭😭😭 . But I love how you have made yours truly home. And I totally agree with you, a temporary home is still your home! Even if it's for 6 months, it should be a happy 6 months! 😊

      Reply
    5. Dara says

      February 18, 2017 at 4:20 pm

      What a difference that paint made! I hope your landlord just lets you leave it because it's so much better! Great post!

      Reply
      • Linda P. says

        February 20, 2017 at 11:49 am

        Thank you Dara! Luckily our landlord liked the new color as much as we do!

        Reply
    6. Bonnie says

      February 17, 2017 at 5:49 pm

      Your house is just beautiful. I think it's so wonderful that your husband arranged for the whole downstairs to be painted. Kudos to him!!

      Reply
      • Linda P. says

        February 20, 2017 at 11:33 am

        Thank you Bonnie. Yes it was very sweet of hubby 🙂

        Reply
    7. Jessica says

      February 15, 2017 at 11:23 pm

      I am so happy you painted your walls. The space looks completely different. I always forget you live in a rental because your house is so GORGEOUS!!! I hope the landlord doesn't ask you to repaint. That would be awesome. I painted my last rental bathroom and dreaded it, so kudos to the mister for hiring it out!!!

      Reply
      • Linda P. says

        February 20, 2017 at 11:13 am

        Thank you so much Jess! Means a lot coming from you, because I love your style. Yeah, hubby got a lot of points for that one. We are so lucky that our landlord is very flexible, especially if we are "upgrading" the house. The way I explained it to him was that it would be a lot easier to rent a home with neutral wall colors, and they totally agreed.

        Reply
    8. Kathy says

      February 15, 2017 at 9:49 pm

      Oh my goodness, I had a rental with those same yellow walls throughout! Lol if you can paint it it is so worth it. Fantastic tip and your living room is just stunning! It looks like it belongs in a magazine! Thanks so much for being a part of this series!

      Reply
      • Linda P. says

        February 20, 2017 at 11:11 am

        Kathy, thank you! This was a wonderful idea and I think it will help so many renters! I think this yellow was very popular at one time hehe. It's not the worst color, but it is overwhelming in large doses.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    I'm Linda and welcome to THIC. I'm a home decor {& coffee} enthusiast who believes with a little thriftiness you can create a beautiful home you love, even on a small budget. Stay awhile, and let's be friends!

    ♥ Read more here →

    Popular Posts

    • IKEA Ektorp Sofa and Slipcovers An Honest 7 Year Review
    • Jute Rug Guide + Living Room Update
    • 5 Easy ways to upgrade your rental bathroom
    • Create Affordable Wall Art Using Books!

    Latest Posts

    • Gorgeous Free Botanical Fruit Prints In 3 Sizes (Free Printable)
    • 50 Beautiful FREE Vintage Botanical Prints (Free Printable)
    • How To Clean Le Creuset Enameled Dutch Oven: Stained Or Burnt
    • 7 Best Diy Thrift Store Home Decor Makeovers You'll Want To Try

    Seasonal Inspiration

    • Easy DIY Spring Flower Arrangement
    • Renewed and Refreshed Spring Entryway 
    • Spring Bedroom Tour {Video}
    • DIY Flower Spring Door Basket

    Popular Categories

    THRIFTING IDEAS

    ROOMS MAKEOVERS

    SEASONAL PROJECTS

    DIY & CRAFTS

     

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Meet Linda
    • Policies & Disclosure

    Newsletter

    For emails and updates

    Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 The Home I Create