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Painting can be a pain, but it can have dramatic effects on a space. To mimic the look of a chair rail, paint two-tone walls — use a dark colour in the upper area and a lighter one in the lower section. kitchen cupboards, for example, you create a bright, open-concept look. For an even richer effect, you can paint the insides of the cupboards or use contact paper to liven it all up.
colours and designs and applying it can make a huge difference in the kitchen. You can change your counters or even add a backsplash without painting or breaking the bank. Remove cupboard doors Most of the time we think we need to add things to make a big difference, but that’s not always true. If you remove the doors of your
Change light fixtures and switches Replacing boring light fixtures with new distinctive ones like chandeliers or pendant lamps can really alter the look of your unit. If your home feels dark, this helps in the obvious way of brightening the space up, but it also helps a rental feel more unique. Check with your landlord before you play with anything electrical and you need to hire a professional. You can also change your light switch plates. Replace the dull plastic ones with something fancy like gold or brightcoloured plates to create little pops of colour throughout your home. Paint and hang mirrors Painting can be a pain, but it can have dramatic effects on a space. To mimic the look of a chair rail, paint two-tone walls — use a dark colour in the upper area and a lighter one in the lower section. If your wish is for spaciousness, paint a light colour and hang mirrors. Incorporating mirrors into your decor helps lighten up a
space and they tend to look nice too. Invest in a portable dishwasher and/or an island In spirit of creating more space (and keeping you sane if you feel like you’re always doing dishes), buy a portable dishwasher. Not only will it save you hours of dishwashing time, it’ll give you more counterspace! If you already have a dishwasher, and simply crave more counters, buy an island — it works as storage, a counter and a table. Add smart storage If you wish you could build more closets in your house (or build a garage), find unique ways to store stuff. Ceiling hooks are a great way to hang big items like bikes and shelves can double as storage and decor. Change the hardware A new showerhead can make a huge difference in the bathroom. If you buy the right one, it’ll make you feel like you’ve renovated your shower and it’ll look nice and shiny. While you’re at it, see if you can change up your faucets and little drawer knobs too. These little changes yield big results.
Jackie Marchildon is a bilingual writer and editor. She spends her time searching for hidden gems across the city, whether it’s new neighbourhoods and restaurants or upcoming trends in real estate and home decor. FEB 18 - MAR 4, 2017 | RENTERS GUIDE
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