PERK UP YOUR RENTAL APARTMENT

We have all been there. It may have been a dorm room or an afforable apartment, but it was a plain white box. How to make it a home, inject our personality, add some life without breaking the landlord's rules?

Think in terms of things that can add a lot of ambience while you are living there, and be removed when you move on. Thinking in terms of the lighting, you can replace the switches with dimmers to add more flexibility to harsh overhead lighting. Then frame it out with a decorative switch plate. They are easy to install and then remove and take with you at moving time.

Switch plates are available in many finishes and designs. You can have a different theme in each room. I love these Bubble wall plates for the bathroom!

Paint is inexpensive and easy to apply. Some apartment complexes and dorms allow a new color as long as it is paid for by the renter and taken back to the original color at the end of the lease or rental term. Another way to brighten up walls is to use large pieces of fabric or sheets as temporary "wall paper". This can be tacked up with tiny nails which will not be a problem to cover when the fabric is removed.

I love these new wall decals you can put them up in any space to add personality, then just peel them off when you move or just want a change. They really make short work of all those white walls.

I have given night lights to practically everyone I know. You can brighten up a dark corner or light the way to the bathroom at night. With more than 100 designs to choose from, there is one for every personality or theme.

Whether you have a themed decor, a color pallette or hobbies and interests, your "white box" can reflect the real you.

Check out the hundreds of designs and many colors you can put together for a custom magnet. Follow a theme or color scheme. They are decorative and practical.

If you have a ceiling fan and light, you can customize your fan pull with a design and a color to create your own custom look .Choose colors that suit your decor - greens for tropical decor, blues for nautical decor, copper for rustic décor.