Rocking YOUR RENTAL

If you’re renting, the design and layout of your home may not fit with your dream design vision, but Annette’s tips can help you get creative.

• FOCUS ON DÉCOR, NOT ARCHITECTURE. Signs, wreaths, garlands and lights are a great way to dress up any room with Christmas cheer. “Don’t be afraid to make holes in the walls—you can patch them,” Annette says. Adhesive strips and hooks are also great alternatives to a hammer and nails.

• CHOOSE FURNITURE YOU LOVE. While you may not be able to change the shape of a room structurally, you can use furniture to create the look and feel you want. Find pieces that allow you to express your design style. For example, “I brought a faux fireplace in to make the room cozier,” Annette says.

• USE PILLOWS AND THROW BLANKETS. Especially if you have a neutral background, changing out pillows, throw blankets and other cozy touches is an easy way to switch things up for each season. “It makes the space more inviting and allows you to bring your own style into the home,” Annette says. Look for pillows and throw blankets that will add texture, color and pattern to your home.

• CREATIVELY COVER UP ASPECTS YOU DON’T LIKE. It’s almost inevitable that you’ll find a feature in your rental that you don’t like. Instead of seeing this as a negative, see it as an opportunity to use some creativity. “You can use rugs to cover up flooring you don’t like, which also allows you to add your own taste and style to the space,” Annette says.

• GET REMOVABLE WALLPAPER. There are many easy and fun ways to add texture and character to a space that don’t involve demolition or construction. Annette uses removable wallpaper in her home for a quick and beautiful farmhouse touch. “I used faux shiplap wallpaper in the entryway and faux wood wallpaper on the fireplace,” she says.

(top, right) Greenery plays a big role in Annette’s décor. “I just like the look of the greenery, because to me that feels like Christmas,” she says. A vintage side table in the dining room provides a neutral backdrop for this holiday vignette. A red bow and festive sign bring a pop of red, while pillows add texture and a touch of coziness to the space.