Photo: Kroiss Development, Inc.

There are many reasons why you might be moving into a space that’s only meant to be temporary. A few examples of people who find themselves in temporary spaces include:

• Military families
• College students
• Temporary workers

Of course, you could also move to an apartment knowing it isn’t going to be your forever home. Even if you don’t plan on leaving the community, you may plan on moving into a new apartment or into a new home within just a few years.

It can be tempting not to do much with your space if you know you won’t be there long, but you shouldn’t put off your comfort just because you don’t know where you’ll end up!
You can still decorate your living room, even if you’ll be moving soon. Here’s how.

Photo: Cecillie Starin Design Inc.

Choose Your Furniture Carefully

Purchasing furniture is the biggest choice you’ll make for any space. You want to make sure you get it right. That can be nearly impossible when you don’t know exactly where you’ll end up, and whether your couch will work in your new space.

If you choose your new furniture carefully, you can ensure it will work in multiple spaces. For example, custom furniture can be ordered in neutral colors that will match any space, but custom furniture can also feature:

• Removable upholstery covers that can easily be replaced
• Cushions and frames that can be separated for easy moving
• Modular pieces that can be used in a variety of configurations

Photo: Design Loft Company

Use Simple Lighting

There is no denying the fact that a great light fixture can have a huge impact on any space. However, if you don’t plan on staying long, it’s not a good idea to change the fixtures. You’ll just have more work to do changing them back when you move.

Instead, focus on simpler lighting, like floor and table lamps. When we checked out this list of new townhouses we noticed the decorators chose lamps with neutral bases and shades that can be changed out easily, so they will work in every future space.

Want to add a little more personality to your space? Consider using fairy lights or other whimsical lighting that can easily be packed into a box when it’s time to move.

Decorative Rugs Do Double Duty

Replacing the carpet isn’t an option when you move into a temporary space. That doesn’t mean you’re stuck with that ugly brown carpet. Instead, layer a decorative rug over the existing carpet.

Think it’s weird to put a rug over a carpet? Think about it like artwork for your floor. Choose a design you like and you can enhance your current space, as well as enhance other large spaces in your future homes.

Another benefit of using decorative rugs? They protect the existing carpet, so you’ll be more likely to get your deposit back!

Photo: Element Home Builders

Dress the Windows with Curtains That Can Be Reused

If there’s one area that renters stay away from more than any other, it’s the windows. It’s true that replacing those cheap plastic blinds with high quality blinds isn’t a good use of your money, but you should dress your windows with curtains.
Worried that you’ll spend a bunch of money on curtains that you won’t be able to use in your next space? With a little creativity, you can find a way to repurpose your old curtains!

A few ideas include:

• Use them as a room divider
• Create a floating curtain headboard
• Sew them into table runners
• Create a curtain canopy bed
• Hang them in front of an open closet
• Make a shower curtain
• Transform them into decorative pillows

Don’t Shy Away from Hanging Things on the Walls

If you’re not planning on sticking around for a while, the thought of putting things on the walls probably seems pretty pointless. Not to mention, you don’t want to damage the walls when you’ll only be there for a few months.

Hanging items on the wall is the quickest and easiest way to personalize a space, and you can do it without damaging the walls. You can hang pictures without nails by using picture hanging strips and adhesive hooks. You can hang pictures and paintings on the wall in just minutes, all without poking any holes in the walls or damaging the paint. Then, if you ever move away you can simply pack your artwork and easily move it to your next home.

Just because you don’t plan on staying somewhere for a while doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to feel comfortable and happy while you’re there. With these tips, you can create a custom space with items that can quickly be packed up and used to decorate your next space.

Photo: Houzz

Perhaps it’s no shock that whites and off-whites represent the most popular paints when it comes to interior design. A neutral color scheme has so many amazing benefits…

• Muted colors help rooms appear larger than they actually are
• White can be effectively paired with just about any color, allowing you opportunities to diversify your decorating
• Neutral colors are calming and timeless, easy on the eyes for both yourself and your guests

Photo: Bliss Design

The number one complaint concerning a muted color scheme, however, is rather obvious: that is, a white or off-white painted interior isn’t particularly bold or visually stimulating. Rather than rushing off to paint your house a louder color, consider instead how you can use accenting colors to bring out the best in your living space.

Accenting colors essentially represent opportunities to contrast (and in some cases emphasize) the neutral interior of your home to establish a whole new vibe. Again, the beauty of neutral colors is your ability to get creative and diversify your decorating from room to room.

Photo: Morrison Design House

Start with Furniture

Photo: Natalie Myers

The furniture in your home essentially represents the pieces in which your accents will be built around. For example, a bed or dresser of dark wood can contrast nicely against a beige or white interior. However, you can also emphasize the neutral colors of a room with elegant furniture, perhaps something with a pearl headboard or off-white frame.

Remember, accents don’t always have to mean going crazy with color. An all-white room is a bold statement in and of-itself when it comes to design: don’t be afraid to experiment and see what works for you.

Fabrics

 Photo: Caroline Kopp Interior Design

Obviously, playing with different color schemes of your fabrics can noticeably change the mood of any room without breaking the bank. For example, elements like bedding, blankets, pillowcases, curtains, canopies, lining, draperies, table-settings and trims.

Although you certainly have plenty of options when it comes to what you can experiment, the question remains: what colors should you use? Honestly, it all depends on whether you’re looking to brighten up the room or go bold. Obviously, warm colors such as red, orange and yellow will leave your room feeling much livelier versus a mauve, gold or purple which are more vivid.

Keep in mind, however, that sometimes less is more when it comes to accenting. That is, you should try to keep it simple: don’t go overboard on colors and stick to the principles of simplicity.

Decorations

Photo: Palmerston Design Consultants 

It’s really easy to ignore simple knick knacks such as miniatures and clocks; however, sometimes the “small stuff” has a big impact on our decorating efforts. As minimalism is all the rage, consider how you may want to use your decorations to emphasize your accents versus allowing them to serve as distractions.

For example, a rustic centerpiece wood emphasizes wooden furniture; however, such a piece may not mesh well in a space full of bright colors. Use your best judgment and keep the principles of “less is more” in the back of your mind as you redo a room.

Accenting can seem overwhelming as we realize the huge impact seemingly subtle colors can have on a room. By taking it one step at a time, however, you can transform your space into exactly what you envision it to be.

The first thing your guests see when you welcome them into your home is your living room. The living room is where you mingle with friends before dinner or relax on a lazy Sunday. Since it makes one of your home’s first impressions, it’s easy to see why your living room is also one of the most important areas of your home to decorate well. You can get away with having a sparsely decorated bedroom or bathroom, but a badly-decorated living room is a no-no!

Here are four must-have items that every stylish living room needs right now:

Invest in a Designer Sofa

If you’re only going to invest in one piece of furniture, let it be your living room sofa. Beautiful designer sofas will form the centerpiece not just of your living room, but also of your entire home. As sofas are furniture items that are used very frequently, it’s better to invest in a more expensive and higher quality one then to cheap out on this essential piece.

Photo: Houzz

A higher quality sofa is not only easier on the eye but also much hardier, and you won’t find yourself having to replace them after a few years due to wear and tear. There are tons of places designers swear by when it comes to purchasing statement-making sofas. Z Gallerie, Horchow, and Thelongeststay are just some of the stores that carry the most gorgeous designer sofas for living rooms of all sizes.

Artwork Goes a Long Way

Bearing in mind that your living room is where most of the social interaction in your home takes place, you can really set the mood with the artwork you choose, so choose carefully. If you’re not sure what sort of art would suit your space, you might want to consult your interior designer to make sure the pieces you select are appropriate for the style and mood of your home. This can be tricky, as there’s more to think about than just the colour and design of the art.

Photo: Mi Casa

Put Thought in Your Lighting

The lighting you choose can completely transform the look of a space. Yellow lighting is generally recommended for living rooms as they tend to be warmer and more welcoming. Conversely, white lighting can come off as harsh and uninviting. Other than ceiling lights, you’ll want to consider the possibility of installing floor lamps or side lamps which can illuminate dark corners in your living room and also make reading more comfortable.

Photo: Leigh Olive Mowry Interiors

Cozy Up Your Space with a Carpet

Nobody likes cold floors, especially in winter. No matter what your climate is like, a carpet is essential in the living room. It not only instantly raises the comfort level of your family and friends, but also helps to anchor the look of your space and tie the various design elements together. The textures and patterns you choose largely depend on your climate and the style of your interior.

Photo: IBB Design Fine Furnishings

A lush animal skin rug would look great in a warm, woody interior, especially in an area with cold winters. On the other hand, an eclectic interior might benefit from a bright patterned rug that injects a dose of personality. Hot and humid climates would benefit from textured rugs made of lighter materials, as opposed to heavy materials like wool, which would wilt in the humidity.