Interior Design Basics for Renters and Home Owners

There are many experts who will tell you how and where to invest your money and give you great reasons as to why you should follow their advice, but it seems that they already assume that you have a home and a mortgage, and don't consider that you may be renting instead. If this sounds familiar, then hold onto your pocket book before doing any major spending.

The break down:

You are renting an apartment, investing in a home isn't really a good choice for you right now, but that doesn't mean you should live with "hand me down" furnishings and poor design. Spending money on what we call "soft surfaces" may be the way to go at this point. Soft surfaces are things like quality bedding, upholstered furnishings, rugs, art, and accessories, anything that can move with you. Make sure you select classic pieces that you will want to own for a long time. Use these mobile pieces to brighten your space and add personality. You will appreciate these items later on when the mortgage, taxes, and home owner's fees start to pile up, and the last thing you can afford to splurge on is a painting or fine rug.

Now where to save, what not spend on while renting... Anything permanently attached to the walls, floor, or ceiling. Maybe your cabinets in your apartment are a little shabby, and the hardware is just not your style, but try to live with them as they are! If you just can't stand them, ask your complex to paint them, or even offer to paint them yourself if they will provide the paint they wish for you to use. If you want to change that awful avocado green porcelain hardware from the 70's, then be sure to use the same size hardware that exists on the cabinets, and replace the original hardware when you leave! DO NOT drill new holes in the doors or drawers, or you may be leaving your expensive hardware or paying for a kitchen remodel after you leave. Cabinets, however, are not the only things to avoid changing. Window blinds, door hardware, flooring, plumbing, lighting, and even some decorative items like mirrors or bathroom accessories should not be changed or moved. Use the aforementioned soft surfaces to make up for or hide imperfections. If you simply must change something, most complexes will let you paint the walls as long as you paint them back before your move.

For all you mortgage holders who haven't read any home investment guides, the spend vs. save rules are just the opposite if your looking for good resale value. Save your money to invest in the hard surfaces like cabinets, wall tiles or coverings, flooring, lighting, plumbing, and appliances. Upgrade soft surfaces only after you've completed the hard surface projects. Soft surfaces won't help your home to appreciate.

Invest in manufactured cabinets with durable finishes. Many builders and contractors will tell you their cabinet guy can match any finish you bring to them. Not only is this almost never true in the aesthetic aspect, but it is impossible for them to duplicate the factory finish. Factory finishes are durable because of the costly chemical processes they go through, which cannot safely be produced by an individual carpenter. Wood flooring is a similar story. When installing flooring, avoid cheap laminate, and ceramic tile with red clay backgrounds. Spend the money for tiles that the color goes all the way through (stone, porcelain, and some quality ceramics). Good lighting is essential to make your home shine. Updated kitchens and bathrooms will yield the most return by far.

If you are thinking of starting a do-it-yourself job, and want some advice before you begin, e-mail me a photo of your space and we will enter it in our new monthly contest. Email: redesign (at) furniturestoreblog.com