Decorating
Rented Homes: How to Style the Seating Area in Your Living Room
Work around your landlord’s restrictions and create a beautiful spot in which to sit and admire your surroundings
Never underestimate the finishing touches when it comes to setting up a seating area. So much more than just choosing some sofas, it’s often the little things that pull the space together, such as the placement of furniture, styling of cushions and throws, and accompanying decorative pieces, including rugs and bookshelf backdrops. Luckily, none of this necessitates redecorating – often forbidden in a rented home – and much can be achieved simply by reworking your existing pieces and adding in a few new accessories. Try some of these tips in your own rented home, or simply to refresh any seating area for a new look between renovations.
Devise a quick cover-up
Sticking a throw over an old sofa that’s seen better days is nothing new, but getting it to work in your home is all in the execution. A scruffy throwover can look cheap, but a pretty fabric in a thicker material – a large bed throw would work well, for example – topped with pretty cushions can work wonders. With considered styling, you can create a look that’s definitely the chic side of shabby.
Sticking a throw over an old sofa that’s seen better days is nothing new, but getting it to work in your home is all in the execution. A scruffy throwover can look cheap, but a pretty fabric in a thicker material – a large bed throw would work well, for example – topped with pretty cushions can work wonders. With considered styling, you can create a look that’s definitely the chic side of shabby.
Choose smart sectionals
In a similar vein, modular seating can also provide added adaptability, and logistically makes life easier if you’re likely to be moving house regularly. Mix up the look by choosing different colours for each sectional piece, or if you prefer a more coherent result, go for the same colour sectionals throughout, but break up the expanse with a range of cushions.
Read how to choose a sofa you’ll love for years
In a similar vein, modular seating can also provide added adaptability, and logistically makes life easier if you’re likely to be moving house regularly. Mix up the look by choosing different colours for each sectional piece, or if you prefer a more coherent result, go for the same colour sectionals throughout, but break up the expanse with a range of cushions.
Read how to choose a sofa you’ll love for years
Define your boundaries
Zoning is a useful tool in a large, open-plan space, especially where you can’t do anything structural to demarcate different areas. Group your sofas together to create a sociable formation and lay down a rug to anchor the space, creating a cosy nook.
Zoning is a useful tool in a large, open-plan space, especially where you can’t do anything structural to demarcate different areas. Group your sofas together to create a sociable formation and lay down a rug to anchor the space, creating a cosy nook.
Disguise a dodgy floor
Flooring can be one of the trickiest things to navigate in a rental and, generally speaking, hiding rather than changing it is probably your best bet. Rugs are one obvious way to do this, but can prove costly if you’re trying to hide large areas. Take a look at Persian-style rugs – they can often be picked up very cheaply and can look surprisingly modern if used in an otherwise pared-back space. Build a small collection and layer them up, then complete the look with vintage armchairs or even floor cushions.
Flooring can be one of the trickiest things to navigate in a rental and, generally speaking, hiding rather than changing it is probably your best bet. Rugs are one obvious way to do this, but can prove costly if you’re trying to hide large areas. Take a look at Persian-style rugs – they can often be picked up very cheaply and can look surprisingly modern if used in an otherwise pared-back space. Build a small collection and layer them up, then complete the look with vintage armchairs or even floor cushions.
Fashion freewheeling furniture
This tip often used by shoot location houses, where flexibility to rearrange the space quickly and easily is paramount, works equally well in rental homes. Simply opt for furniture with wheels, or add castors to the bottom of your existing pieces. By employing flexible furniture, such as this coffee table on wheels, you can easily reconfigure your space at a moment’s notice with minimal disruption (and with no worries about scratching floors, either).
This tip often used by shoot location houses, where flexibility to rearrange the space quickly and easily is paramount, works equally well in rental homes. Simply opt for furniture with wheels, or add castors to the bottom of your existing pieces. By employing flexible furniture, such as this coffee table on wheels, you can easily reconfigure your space at a moment’s notice with minimal disruption (and with no worries about scratching floors, either).
Bring the outside in
Using indoor/outdoor seating, such as these wicker chairs, could work out cheaper than ‘normal’ armchairs in a living room, either as your main seating or to supplement a sofa. As an added bonus, you’ll be able to pull them outdoors on a sunny day, too
Using indoor/outdoor seating, such as these wicker chairs, could work out cheaper than ‘normal’ armchairs in a living room, either as your main seating or to supplement a sofa. As an added bonus, you’ll be able to pull them outdoors on a sunny day, too
Create unique curtains
Think laterally when it comes to window treatments. To keep costs down and create a bespoke look, why not make your own curtains with some old fabric, such as a tablecloth? To add a splash of colour, go for an ombre effect by setting up a dye bath, then have fun trying out different effects. By keeping them long and billowing, they’re more likely to adapt to fit windows in future homes, too. Tie them in with your seating by picking out key colours and carrying these through into your cushions.
Think laterally when it comes to window treatments. To keep costs down and create a bespoke look, why not make your own curtains with some old fabric, such as a tablecloth? To add a splash of colour, go for an ombre effect by setting up a dye bath, then have fun trying out different effects. By keeping them long and billowing, they’re more likely to adapt to fit windows in future homes, too. Tie them in with your seating by picking out key colours and carrying these through into your cushions.
Brighten up a bookcase
Add colour to a room by painting or wallpapering the backs of your bookcases. This will give the impression of a decorated feature wall without damaging your landlord’s emulsion. Sticking with a single colour looks striking, or you could highlight individual sections with different tones for a more eclectic look. Or why not try out the look with wallpaper, secured in place with double-sided tape?
Have you tried any of these ideas? Tell us what worked for you in the Comments below.
Add colour to a room by painting or wallpapering the backs of your bookcases. This will give the impression of a decorated feature wall without damaging your landlord’s emulsion. Sticking with a single colour looks striking, or you could highlight individual sections with different tones for a more eclectic look. Or why not try out the look with wallpaper, secured in place with double-sided tape?
Have you tried any of these ideas? Tell us what worked for you in the Comments below.
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If space is tight, or you want to utilise a particular corner that’s otherwise going to waste, think about fashioning your own seating. Don’t worry, I know if you’re renting you probably won’t want – or be able – to create a complicated build-in that needs drilling to the walls. Get around this by sourcing some old wine crates or pallets that fit the spot, layering them up for height, and simply placing them in the corner. Get a piece of foam cut to fit the top, then cover this with some favourite fabric or even an old sheet. Style some comfy cushions on the top for a finishing touch.
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