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.
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.
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!
The room felt bigger and brighter. This is ironic if you consider the sunny yellow that was previously on the walls.
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.
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.
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
Thanks for stopping by!
Jennifer Beck says
Can you tell me the color of your paint? I want to repaint my living room and I love your color.
Linda P. says
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.
CG says
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?
Linda P. says
Thank you CG! The Color Is Repose Gray By Sherwin Williams.
Celeste says
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!
Vin says
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! 😊
Dara says
What a difference that paint made! I hope your landlord just lets you leave it because it's so much better! Great post!
Linda P. says
Thank you Dara! Luckily our landlord liked the new color as much as we do!
Bonnie says
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!!
Linda P. says
Thank you Bonnie. Yes it was very sweet of hubby 🙂
Jessica says
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!!!
Linda P. says
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.
Kathy says
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!
Linda P. says
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.