Help Needed Renovating and Decorating my first Rental! Please!

6 years ago

I'm renting my first place and I'm planning on updating anything so I can to make it more comfortable. The landlord has allowed me to do any work just to pass it by him before doing so. I have already taken out the carpet and will be refinishing the floors. It's my first time working on any dyi project and also decorating my first place.

Living room:There is no foyer when walking into the home. The door takes you directly into the living room. I'm planning on taking out the blinds, putting two chairs in front of the window and another pair facing them (or a loveseat? thoughts?) Also, a sofa against the wall. What can I do about that door? It's outdated and steel! Any other ideas?

Kitchen:
What are my options? I was thinking of painting the cabinets and changing the hardware. I'm not sure how and which products would work best. Please advice! I did some research and some tenants used Peel and Stick backsplash. Any thoughts? What can I do about the placement of the fridge and stove? They look so awkward just there. I probably will put 4 seat dining table? or bench against that wall and the wall where there is a window to save more space?

Bathroom:
Painting all blue cabinets white? Any other ideas? What kind of look should I go for?

Featured Answer

PRO

Sabrina Alfin Interiors

6 years ago

First question: you say your landlord just wants you to "pass it by him". Is he also paying for the things that are permanent installations, e.g. floor refinishing? Anything related to permanently installed materials like tile, flooring, plumbing fixtures, and appliances should be on his dime, not yours. It's his responsibility to maintain/upgrade the property. If you do renovations, he'll be able to charge more rent to the next tenant based on your money! It's one thing for renters to re-paint; entirely another to get into remodeling when you don't own the place.

Comments (16)

auntthelma
6 years ago
Have fun with it.

I was going to say what Sabrina said. Landlord should pay for materials including paint, permanent window coverings, kitchen backspash or hardware.

If the landlord does not want to pay for the permanents, you should be sure to consider them yours - example - you will remove the kitchen hardware and new blinds when you leave.
Related Discussions
Please Please help me decorate my great room...need to order furn
Q
Comments (21)
You asked: I hate it. The bottom one looks like someone took a traditional, wicker sofa and wrapped it in leather. Those very formal, old fashioned arms, and bun feet, don't go with the eclectic, casual style of the upholstery. The shape of the red sofas is much more appropriate, but it would be better in all leather. Leather is great with kids so long as they don't have sharp things in their pockets and can be trusted not to poke pencils into it. It cleans up with water and saddle soap. But it does stick to bare skin, and can get hot. It's nature's vinyl. Which is why they combine it with fabric. Bad move. Either be fabric or be leather. The weight and texture are too different and they rarely come out looking great, especially after some living happens. The red bench is cool! Less imposing than a sofa table (console), but with a lot of the same function. And it's folky and funky. My Aunt had the two sofas flanking the fireplace in her living room. It's a great conversation grouping, but not so much for TV watching. For that, especially for the kids who probably look at the screen more, you want a straight on view. You can do a big square, though. An L of couch and settee or second couch or loveseat, and a couple of small easy chairs that are easy to get around on the opposite side. You have your red chairs. I'm not sure if they're too big to allow people to walk by easily if you close up the square, but even so, you can always pull them over for company, and keep them by the piano for family time with running kids. Re Larry, have your other family members sit tested him? I totally agree about the shape. It's very tired. But that LOVE thing is important. Your family room couch should feel Ahhh to sit on. I'm sure it'll still be there though. Maybe you can find a similarly comfy couch in a more classic shape that will give you more breadth of possibilities. Comfort comes first, but it can be done with a little more style than poor Larry. ;-)
...See More
Please help with kitchen plan for my tiny vacation rental.
Q
Comments (166)
BB, I was just thinking of posting an update, so perfect timing. Yes the blasted post is gone baby gone! Here is the bathroom layout that ended up working the best after mocking up several different configuration. I actually will be able to fit up to a 48" vanity. The vanity and toilet bump back into the bedroom wall. Shower opposite with angled wall toward the entry to it. I am loving it! Ecko has already made herself at home on my couch mock up! This view is taken standing at front door. Here is the new bathroom layout. That line in front of vanity and toilet is that header beam above. I'm thinking about a flat ceiling with soft lighting over that area. But on bedroom side, that wall will go straight up to the angled ceiling. TV is going there. Not quite centered to bed, but good enough. Still a lot to do, but we are thrilled with everything. Everyone who sees it wants to move in! Thank you my GW fam! Pretty soon, I will be asking for finishes help!
...See More
First time renovating kitchen... help please!
Q
Comments (5)
I also encourage you to wait and take notice of the patterns in which you use your kitchen and what works appliance-wise and cabinet-wise and what is a worthless black hole and why it doesn't work. You also need to notice the quality of the light coming into the room at different times of day or whether you're using the lights all of the time. A lot of condos need nothing more then copious amounts of undercabinet lighting. You will need to find out if the countertop and existing backsplash can be removed without destroying the cabinetry. If you change all of these items, you will probably also want to replace the floor. You need to know what your condominium allows you to do without having the condominium board sign off on it first and any other special rules they might have about construction work. Also, you may want to consider a two-tone kitchen meaning that the lower cabinets stay dark (they are unkikely to show dirt, niice if you have children or pets) and the upper cabinets are all white. You also need to begin building your budget for all of these items. In my area countertops end up being $60 a square foot, it does not matter if they are tile, granite, quartz, solid surface, or sheet formica, A quick look at that list of countertop materials will show you that the time and materials involved with each countertop is markedly different but the pricing isn't, the weak explanation I am given for this apparent anomaly is that they have to pay their workers comp insurance....notice how that changes my budget? You need to do a lot of research first so that you were not taken by surprise.
...See More
New room renovated. Need help decorate it.
Q
Comments (16)
a nice room already. my inclination will be to leave the armoire where it currently is-because in my understanding one doesn't see it right away when opens the door. Taller pieces, to me at least, can be a bit overpowering when they're the first or second thing you see of course that means balancing the chest, but that's the fun part, and needs to be done anyway-eithor mirror if needed, or a TV if they have to have it(or will be hidden in that armoire?)-or, and would be my preference, art, either hung or leaned..a plant..it can be made very personal and pretty and will immediately signal the mood of the room faster than the armoire then-two lights-I'd say ambient, but enough light to be able to read in bed. even if your parents don't prefer to read in bed one wants to be able to see what's written on a medicine bottle, say, or write something down fast if somebody just called and left a message. In short I believe in lights near bed(don't need to match, but it's a personal preference thing..I like things non matching, some strongly prefer symmetry)-not only they can be handsome, but they're important for how the room functions fot its inhabitants. then window treatments, and bedding, of course..and you can layer bedding, add cozy throw, a nice pillow-not only these bring additional coziness but they allow for deciding when one wants to lean when reading or watching TV, or checking a laptop... or one wants additional warmth and uses a throw, or on the opposite just wants to take a nap and use a throw only. Every time you look into supposedly decorative things -think, how it will function? how will feel to the touch? this way it won't only look good- it'll feel good, and no regrets. With the rug, I'd think a) where it goes and thus what size it is then; b) how it lies on the floor-I'd go for the least movable option so won't be a tripping hazard. So I don't know whether always depends on thickness but that'd be my first concern with the rug in a bedroom. Then I'd narrow onto colors. The rug you posted seems to be a nice thickness and color too-if you choose something like it, I'd add warmer accents to bring gray and cream together, and it can be a very pretty combo as illustrated and mentioned by some posters above. I believe with different textures and finishes, even if you stay within neutral scheme, the room will feel very cozy. But if there is a color or two you love- don't feel like if you'll bring them they're overpower the room..the smaller the room the easier it is to pull of color in there. I wouldn't put dark constrasting curtains in yours, for example, but I would add touches of whatever you/your parents like, here and there, and see how it goes and which direction it takes you. Same with prints. True they don't make things seem bigger; but the room won't change its size drastically without them either, it's a small room, actually it's a ok size room, for a bedroom. Your main goal for it to exude warmness and to make your parents to feel hugged and happy; and that can be done in many ways because everybody and his happy. But. if going with prints, here and there(a bedding? a throw pillow?) I would choose this light background that's already there..the room already has a mood of its own, so I'd respect that. I guess your partents have art or decor that they love? I'd think how to incorporate couple things(or more) that are meaningful to them. I did mention a plant, didn't I?:) Nice job you did-the fun part lies ahead. Do you live in the States? asking because you mentioned meters. We could give all sorts of suggestions on where look for stuff, if you need such suggestions of course.
...See More
auntthelma
6 years ago
Don't move the appliances. It's not your house.

Paint and a beautiful shower curtain will go a long way in that bathroom.
chiflipper
6 years ago
The landlord should be paying for all materials and machine rentals. You are providing the labor...free. Very bad deal for you. Save the money you would spend...and spend the time working a second job. In a few years YOU will be the owner of your own property. Very good deal for you.
PRO
Simon Ashley Design Studio
6 years ago
I agree with everyone else, unless this is a rent to own situation, I am not sure why you would be providing materials, labor and updating anything. When you renovate an owned home, the benefit of renovation is that it adds value to your home but in a renting situation, it's a waste of money as not building equity. That being said, if I were to give advice to a home owner-

The cabinets are laminate, and while they can be paint, unless done correctly, they will end up looking worse than before. Do not under estimate the labor involved in painting cabinets! I would recommend replacing the cabinets all together with reasonably priced cabinets but unless you have a friend who is experienced with setting cabinets, it may be wise to hire a professional to install. As far as the range/refrigerator placement, these are not appliances that can be moved to any location. The gas stove requires a gas line hook up and both require GFCI outlets. New cabinetry, like a tall slender pantry or refrigerator panel would help give some separation and make them seem more integrated to the kitchen.

For the bathroom, I personally like the blue cabinetry! I would get rid of the wallpaper. This is a laborious task but can be done DIY fairly easily using vinegar or fabric softener and water.

Painting is an easy update and cost effective! How about SW Waterloo for the door and Olympus White for the walls?
geoffrey_b
6 years ago
I wouldn't do more than paint the walls, maybe a new blind. It's a big job to paint cabinets - you don't own it - don't spend your time and money on improvements.
acm
6 years ago
I'd try to get rid of the wallpaper in the bathroom, but honestly, outdated funkiness is part of the fun of renting, so I'd save your back and live with most of it the way it is. Get your landlord to replace anything that can't actually do its job, but otherwise, unless he's cutting your rent to repay the renovations, forget it!
apple_pie_order
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
You are paying the landlord extra with your labor unless you are getting a discount on the rent at a fair wage. Stop.
User
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Congratulations on your first little place...

We always did a little work on our rentals...(note: "little")...true, it costs in labor, but I wanted to be happy when I walked in the apartment, so it was worth it to us and our landlord was very happy.

That said, have a look at your floor and see if a simple cleaning of the hardwood will suffice....a long time ago, before "finishes", people used to wax their hardwoods (I have a friend who did nothing except wash with vinegar/water and her floors were lovely.)

Your door, while outdated, has a funky charm to it. I would be happy with that, so clean it up and paint it, and the woodwork in the living room white. I like a white ceiling, too but use flat paint for that.

Have the landlord in to see if you can remove the spindles going into the kitchen...it shouldn't be difficult but DO ask specifically first...and have him sign an okay. If he does, it will just require you to patch and paint and that should be simple (as long as you're not too aggressive with the removal..so take care with that)

The bathroom, if that's wallpaper it should go....and you need a boat load of bleach cleaner (ventilate!!) for the floor and tub tile, which doesn't look to be in bad shape....

I would really (REALLY!) do this one thing at a time (starting with the floor that you've already begun) and have him sign off on it....that way he can come in and see what you've done after the first improvement and see if it's up to his standard (he does own the place after all) and, for you for if you really want to do this diy, and it will give him confidence to approve IN WRITING the next step....honestly, you don't want to get caught up in an insurance/legal nightmare...

So...one thing at a time.
aprilneverends
6 years ago
whatever has been said..your landlord sounds like a real nice guy..:) unless of course you have agreement that your improvements hugely lower your rent?

what I'd do though..if I was as handy and as eager as you..

-the mosaic in the kitchen where the backsplash is-hard to see whether a real backsplash or wallpaper? if wallpaper-get rid of it and repaint. if real mosaics-just repaint. ETA-ok reread your post..real mosaics. I love peel and stick options that do exist, but I'm not sure I'd go for them here..it's not so much mosaic as its placement..countertop backsplash plus mosaics plus wrap around..too much. And it won't be easy to find something that will work. But. Check your options. Etsy has pages upon pages of tile decals, for example. https://www.etsy.com/search?q=tile%20decals&ref=auto1&as_prefix=tile%20decals

-you seem to have no space next to the stove..I know IKEA carries these narrow tables you know? or something of the kind..that you can put in between the stove and the fridge, have some landing surface, spot to place a pot you know

-is the floor in the kitchen real tile or linoleum/vinyl? you can try and cover it with something if it irritates you of course(to me it's actually the worst offender. along with the blinds that I'd take out and put on curtains. but you're going to do that anyway). it can be tile decals, it can be floor cloth, it can be big inexpensive rug..

the rest of the kitchen, just deep clean and let be. new paint will make a huge difference

-your door is fine..hard to see the living to make helpful furniture placement suggestion, but generally I find that sofa plus two chairs is the most versatile in most cases

-the bathroom is cute and blue in cabinets picks up the flooring. Wallpaper is best to go though since it clashes with flooring. Clean the grout..and ask your landlord to change faucets etc if they're problematic. If they're not but you hate them-well maybe you can split the price.

New paint, shower curtain that you love-and you're good. What's your style preference? I'm crazy about shower curtains so can look them up and suggest for you, and would be my pleasure:)

you do need some "landing strip" as they call it..and I can't see whether youn can fit small dining table in the corner of the kitchen? ..

if you want more suggestions about colors, furnishings, furniture layout and such, I recommend cross posting in Home Decorating forum. They(ok, us. lol) will ask you a bit more about dimensions, layout, preferences in style, budget, needs, etc.

Congratulations on your first renting place, it's exciting..and good luck!
User
6 years ago
Real life ain’t HGTV. Not everyone lives in perfectly decorated rentals. Especially their first. You are very lucky that you can afford something that has actually functional appliances and no roaches.

Be thankful, and first, do no harm. Renovations are not nearly as easy as they look on TV, and you can ruin this place really rapidly if you start of Willy Billy slapping paint on everything.

Leave it be. Add a portable IKEA something or another to the rooms that you need more storage and call it good. Even painting just walls is a ton more work than you realize. Work that you are not likely to have the skill and follow through to accomplish in a professional manner.

You are already going to lose your security deposit over the floors that you ruined. Don’t make him evict you and sue you too.
Denita
6 years ago
Make sure you get written approval for anything you do to the place in advance of actually doing the work. The written approval would be from the landlord and make sure it is very specific. You don't want to lose your deposit or risk a lawsuit by the LL based on a verbal approval by the landlord. I can not emphasize this enough. Verbal approval is not sufficient. Read your lease - it probably has language prohibiting changes and/or improvements without prior written permission. What you consider an improvement the landlord may consider damage no matter how nice he is right now.

As to fixtures - if you do decide to change the hardware on your kitchen cabinets, for example, you can NOT take those with you when you leave. This goes for any fixture that is attached to the property. Naturally, if it's not attached, that is different..

I agree with the others, painting or changing out blinds and adding window treatments is about as far as I would go with a rental. Save your money for your own place where you can do the improvements you envision.
aprilneverends
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
..looking at the bathroom again-actually you know what? even if your landlord is fine with you stripping the wallpaper-leave it..tedious job..it's not it that clashes horribly, that this peachy pinkish door that threw me off-and you're repainting anyway, right? that door would benefit from being white or something I think..I think also whoever painted the space made a rookie mistake and chose paint by looking at it in a can..these peachy pinks happen when a person sees a perfect yummy cream, without trying it first in a space..:) saw it already several times..frankly once made this mistake myself when painting for the first time in my life..:)

(sometimes you want peachy pink, nothing wrong with it if it was chosen deliberately. here it looks like it just happened by chance)
artemis_ma
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
As a past landlord, I was quite happy to severely reduce rent for a renter who wanted to re do the kitchen floor. The job was done well, and we were both satisfied.

On the other paw, I definitely would not go out if my way to Reno a rental. Since you have already started on carpet removal, that task will have to be completed - I hope the landlord is either paying for supplies or deducting rent. But if you haven't previously discussed that matter with him, now is not the time to bring it up. But do so for any further modifications to his structure that you plan to make!!!!!

Painting those kitchen cabs will not turn out well - Not a good material for taking on paint. Change knobs and pulls, but save the old ones to put back on when/before you leave. (Unless he's reimbursed you for their cost.)

Don't even consider moving the stove. That involves major electrical work. (Or gas line work, not sure on this tiny phone if thats gas or electric) If it has got to move, that task should be entirely on the owner's actions and desire. Yours is fine where located, although an adjoining prep area would be nice... is there enough space between range and fridge for a small table? Can't tell from here.

With landlord approval, removing blinds should be fine. Find a great shower curtain, and if you take on any painting, start small.

Wallpaper removal is a horrid task... I did it once, with help from friends. Never again.
studio10001
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I agree w those warning you against free improvements for the landlord. That said:

It is an exciting thing to have a space to put your mark on. You have an early 70s vibe here, and I hope you are planning to rock that. Your kitchen could use a small cabinet added next to the stove, and if you are handy, banquette seating. Both those things fit the era, the space, and are something you could re use, if built with that idea in mind. Natural shades to replace the mini blinds and a lighter, less orange colour for the walls will refresh the area nicely. Save the rest of your enthusiasm for accessories and fabric for the banquette.

The bathroom tile needs a good scrub, and that is it. If you paint things white in there, the floor sticks out more, and the paper will look filthier, so again, look to your accessories to make sense of what you've got.
(Kohls)

In the living room you have room for a normal seating arrangement of sofa and chairs. If you need massive seating, look at a sectional rather than trying to add a loveseat.

Hope that is of some help, and good luck w your new place.
studio10001
6 years ago
And by the way, unless you put the patches on the wall, the landlord is required to paint in many locales, so maybe look into picking out the colours, and letting him do his thing?

Help Needed Renovating and Decorating my first Rental! Please!

Sabrina Alfin Interiors

Comments (16)

auntthelma

Related Discussions

auntthelma

chiflipper

Simon Ashley Design Studio

geoffrey_b

acm

apple_pie_order

User

aprilneverends

User

Denita

aprilneverends

artemis_ma

studio10001

studio10001

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US