Style advice

Three simple tricks to try in your own home

MAGIC CARPET

To cosy up a large floor space, buy an off-cut of carpet that you can turn into a rug. Sarah found a carpet sample in the discount section of Tapi Carpets & Floors and finished it with a trim around the edge. This is a great idea if you want to save pennies, and you can always take it with you when you leave or try selling it on to your landlord if it doesn’t fit into your next place. Look for patterned or striped carpets and use a contrasting colourful webbing as an easy way to add personality.

CUSTOMISED CURTAINS

If you have large, tall windows in your home, try IKEA’s range of affordable curtains that come in extralong lengths that you can cut to fit. Sarah’s tip is to buy two pairs to achieve a fuller, cosier look. Sarah kept hold of her landlord’s original curtains, that she stores in the shelving unit, which she will hang up when she moves out.

RENTER-FRIENDLY

Convincing your landlord to let you decorate your home can be a daunting prospect, but come armed with ideas and suggestions that’ll win them over. Sarah’s tip is to make a moodboard of your ideas for the space to give the landlord a good idea of how you want it to look. They’re more likely to say yes to an overall neutral palette and then you can add colour with accessories. With all the changes you plan, make sure they’re reversible or easy to undo when you move out, keeping you and the landlord happy.