Decorating for Renters - Part 1 Getting Started

Article by: Indra Books

When you are renting an apartment, , Examining 5 Kitchen Design Styles you often feel like making changes , Window Blinds Variety and Styles Offer a Multitute of Interior Design Options is not on the agenda. After all, you don't own the space so what can you do? In this three part series, we will teach you how to , 5 Ways In Which You Can Make Simple Changes To Your Home Decorating devise a game plan , Stylish Venetian Blinds to decorate , The Benefits of Chair Slip Covers to make your apartment , Window Blinds Variety and Styles Offer a Multitute of Interior Design Options feel like a home. , What are Water Softeners?

For every decorating , Mini Binds are the Easiest Window Blinds to Clean project, large or small, the first step is always a walk through. You need to get a tablet or a notebook and walk through the area you are thinking of decorating , A Review of Popular Ceiling Fan Manufacturers while following these five steps:

Check for trouble spots that will cause a problem later; off center architectural elements, windows, , Examining 5 Kitchen Design Styles fireplaces doors. , Mattress Reviews Provide Valuable Purchasing Tips For Free

Look for anything permanent which would cause a problem in arranging a room , Motherpie and Applehood or giving the effect you want. Particularly in older homes , Storage Ottomans and apartments , Hanging Curtains? DonÂ’t Forget the Rods and Finials! make a note of pipes, radiators, doorways that are closed off, uneven floors , What are Water Softeners? etc. In newer homes , Mini Blinds are Superior Window Coverings for Small Places and apartments, , The Benefits of Hookless Shower Curtains builders often put things like heat , Redecorating with Shower Curtain Hooks ducts, cold air , What are Water Softeners? returns and thermostats just where you want to put a piece of furniture , How to Buy Your Next Dining Table or hang a picture. Make note of these.

Check for trouble spots, things that throw a room , A Guide to Acrylic Kitchen Sinks off center, or 'uglies.' As a renter you don't have the options of a home , The Benefits of Chair Slip Covers owner to paint, , Great Bed Ideas pull apart, tear down or add to the permanent fixtures in your home. , What are Water Softeners? So if you don't like the looks of the layout or the color , What are Water Softeners? of the carpet, , How To Select The Right Memory Foam Mattress...3 Insider Secrets write it down here.

Mark down and measure electrical, phone, , Home Steam Sauna or cable outlets for TV's and computers.

Check windows. , How To Select The Right Memory Foam Mattress...3 Insider Secrets Do they need to be covered for privacy or to keep out light? Are the windows , Hanging Curtains? DonÂ’t Forget the Rods and Finials! unusually high or too close to the floor? Are they off center, or in the middle of a wall , Living Room Furniture you need for furniture , Redecorating with Shower Curtain Hooks placement? Now is the time to measure windows. , Storage Ottomans Measure the distance from the wall , Mattress Reviews Provide Valuable Purchasing Tips For Free and between windows, , Blinds Variety and Styles Offer a Multitute of Interior Design Options the actual size of the window, , Mattress Reviews Provide Valuable Purchasing Tips For Free and most importantly how many inches there are from the floor , Decorative Area Rugs: How to Care for Area Rugs to the sill (or base of window). Make a note on which windows , Redecorating with Shower Curtain Hooks receive sun , Water Beds and when.

Next you need to make a checklist of the contents of the room. , Decorating Ideas for a Baby Nursery Decide how the room , A Review of Popular Ceiling Fan Manufacturers will be used; single or multi purpose. In apartments , Kitchen Island Sizes and smaller houses , Decorating Ideas for a Baby Nursery you will often find you need to use the dining area for the computer or the bedroom as a craft , New Couch Covers Can Transform A Room In Minutes! area. Once you have your purpose you are ready to start your shopping list.

List and measure the things you have that you will keep. If you are doing a floor , Home Decorating – Leading the Simple Life to ceiling make over, you will need measurements of pieces of furniture, , A Look at Plantation Shutters as well as the length and height of walls. , The Benefits of Chair Slip Covers If you have a digital camera, , Reversible Decorating For Your Kitchen better yet. You can put the information , "Too Much Stuff" Syndrome or How Decorating and Organizing Can Help Your Sanity into your computer. The pictures don't have to be perfect, they are just memory jogs.

List the things that are worn out or won't work and which you will either eliminate or replace with something else.

Finally list any purchases that need to be made with descriptions if necessary and sizes.

When you have done all this, look over your notes and take one last look at your rooms , Berber Carpet: 10 Reasons To Buy Berber Carpet to make sure you haven't missed anything which could cause a major problem.

Now for some fun! Go through decorating , Examining 5 Kitchen Design Styles magazines and books. Perhaps you have saved some pictures of rooms , You Know Your Home Décor is Frumpy and Stale when…. you love. Take a fresh look at them. Perhaps there are things in these pictures which can be used to get the look you want. Or perhaps you'll see a room , Mattress Reviews Provide Valuable Purchasing Tips For Free that reminds you of the ones you have. Go to furniture , What are Water Softeners? showrooms and shops that sell soft furnishings and see what is out there. If you are interested in antiques, check out the antique shops and used furniture/consignment places. , Redecorating with Shower Curtain Hooks

You've done the preliminary work so you are ready to go to the next step. Remember that nothing is etched in stone. , Great Bed Ideas If you decide on a color , The Benefits of Hookless Shower Curtains scheme and on your first shopping trip fall , How to Install Bamboo Flooring in love with something that doesn't match, take a deep breath and reconsider. You can always adjust the plan. , How To Select The Right Memory Foam Mattress...3 Insider Secrets However, once the first major purchase is made color , Portable Home Decorating: 11 Tips for Creating a Comfortable Home Even When You Move Often changes are expensive.

Part II of this series will help you chose a color , A Review of Popular Ceiling Fan Manufacturers palette which will work well for your living space, lifestyle and personal taste.

Indra Books - EzineArticles Expert Author

Contributions for this article provided by ON THE GO 4 U design , Window Blinds Variety and Styles Offer a Multitute of Interior Options consultant, Suzanne Copenhaver.

Indra A Books, author of this and many other lifestyle articles, is the owner and founder of ON THE GO 4 U, Personal Shoppers & Concierge Service in the Washington DC metropolitan area.In addition to its shopping and concierge services, ON THE GO 4 U also publishes a monthly e-zine and conducts workshops on wardrobe, entertaining and decorating. , Buying Loft Beds For more information , Examining 5 Kitchen Design Styles about the author and ON THE GO 4 U, please visit http://www.onthego4u.net

Â© 2005 Indra A Books for ON THE GO 4 U

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