Tag: renter

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Bedrooms Expert Tips Renting

Renting spare room out: how to prepare for a lodger

With property prices in our capital cities still some of the most expensive in the world (and crazy commute times a flow-on effect with people moving further afield) many property owners are turning empty bedrooms into cash by renting them out. “Taking on a lodger means making unused assets work harder for you and taps into the booming share economy. Estimates suggest that as many as one in five Australians partly supplement their income through the share economy,” says Jessica Lai of Weekday Space, a new website where landlords can connect with commuters looking for a place to stay during the week.

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Image source: Pinterest/thegritandpolish.com

ABS statistics, gathered in 2015-2016, indicate that 60 per cent of renters have surplus bedrooms and around 85 per cent of home owners have more bedrooms than required. This coupled with long commute times (more than two million Australians commute more than 90 minutes per day), means many workers are looking for a place to stay close to work during the week before heading home on weekends. “Lodging allows commuters to benefit from the flexibility of somewhere to stay without having to permanently move,” says Jessica. And for landlords, you can make money in the week (when you’re most likely at work) while still having your place to yourself on the weekend. Truly a win, win!

The Designer
A desk may be useful for a professional lodger. Image source: Pinterest/the-designory.com.au

“Apart from the obvious financial benefits, lodgers can provide company. Find the right type of lodger for you and you’re likely to meet some interesting people to have a chat with and who might even help you water the plants or feed your pet if you’re away! Also, if you live alone, a lodger might also add an element of security,” says Jessica who provides her top tips for preparing a room in your house for rent below.

The basics

  • Your lodger will effectively be treating your room like a second home. They will be looking for things like a comfortable clean bed, and a hot (accessible) shower and a relaxing private space.
  • The room should be nicely furnished in time for the first inspection so they don’t have to use their imagination!
  • Furniture should include a bed, dresser, wardrobe, and bedside table with reading light. A desk may also be useful for a professional lodger.
  • Make sure the mattress is new and comfortable.
  • Consider whether you are going to provide clean bedding and towels. If you are, then do so on a weekly basis.

Neutral decor

  • Decor should be neutral, white or beige and a freshly painted room gives a better impression
  • Carpets and curtains should be clean and again, neutral. 

Functional considerations

  • If you have advertised the room with internet access, check this works.
  • Check that any air conditioning/heating/fans work correctly – can they be turned off or down?
  • Ensure that windows open and close securely.
  • Make sure the bedroom door closes completely and easily.
  • Don’t forget to check that there are working bulbs in all the lights!

For more | Megan Morton’s budget bedroom styling tips

Categories
House Rules Renting

Rent my style: Melbourne’s most stylish granny flat

Here at Interiors Addict, we just don’t buy into the idea that rental homes have to look bland or lacking in style and personality. Rent My Style is dedicated to showcasing the best of our readers’ rental home decorating efforts. They’re not show homes, they’re real homes!

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Although fortunate enough to own their own house, when Danusia Glover and her partner Luke moved to Melbourne, it was time to start renting. And while Danusia is a keen decorator and a student of design at ISCD (the International School of Colour and Design, Sydney), she couldn’t help but find the idea of rental decorating to be extremely daunting.

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“I honestly found the first few months of renting really, really hard,” explains Danusia. “I didn’t have a single item on our walls and was so scared of actually living in the space in case I damaged anything. Once I finally got past that fear, things were fantastic. Even though you don’t have as much freedom in a rental, if you think about the fact that nothing’s permanent, that in itself actually gives you a whole different kind of freedom to try new things and just have fun.”

And fun she has had, filling their three-bedroom home with personality, from statement furniture, to displays of books, photos and mementos and walls covered with art. “I really think having artwork, whether it be from famous artists, unknown artists, graphic prints, vases, business cards (anything goes!) is just such a great point of interest and instantly makes a house feel like a home,” says Danusia. “I’ve aimed to fill the house with beautiful things and I’ve been lucky enough to temporarily adopt some pieces from well-known artists as my mum collects art.”

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Situated in Melbourne’s Caulfield North, the brick veneer unit or “granny flat” as Danusia affectionately calls it, originally had two bedrooms and a formal dining room before being converted to a three-bedroom with an open living space. As a result, the property is in good shape but that didn’t mean Danusia wasn’t going to make any changes!

“Adding an island bench from Ikea to the kitchen is by far the best thing we’ve done in the house that isn’t permanent,” explains Danusia. “Our kitchen is designed in an L shape, so not only did we lack bench space, we also had a large space in the middle of our kitchen that needed to be filled but wasn’t suitable for a dining room table. For $500, not only is it a great functional addition to our rental but we also get to take it with us!”

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With a reasonable landlord they’ve also been lucky enough to make a few permanent changes, including adding the odd light, power point or TV point. The addition of down lights above her desk is Danusia’s favourite permanent fix-up. “My favourite space would have to be my office. It is my happy place, it’s imperfect and messy and that’s why it works so well. I love my open gold shelves because they’re overflowing with inspiration — magazines, paper, stickers, ribbon, spray paint, everything I could ever need for my study and design is at my fingertips. The addition of down lights right above my desk has been invaluable and oh so helpful for those late nights studying!”

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While Danusia has undoubtedly found the decorating experience very different, she believes there are some huge benefits to rental decorating, such as being able to experiment with your own style while simultaneously saving money! “I’ve found that it’s actually been a really good chance for me to play around with my style and find what I like,” says Danusia. “I’ve also been careful not to commit to expensive statement pieces if I’m not 100% certain I would want to take them with me when we finally buy again.”

Read all our rental stories.

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Designers Expert Tips Renting Styling

10 tips for personalising your rental home from The Living Room’s James Treble

By James Treble

It’s a common dilemma for many people: how can you add your personal touch to a rental home? You may not be able to re-paint the walls, change the carpet or update the kitchen, but there are some simple ways to make a space truly your own that won’t break the budget.

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Here are my top 10 tips:

1. Flooring: whether it’s tired looking carpet or timber floorboards in the wrong colour, adding rugs and runners is an easy way to add colour and texture to any space. A great look right now is overlapping rugs of different sizes, but in the same colourwash and style. This layered effect is warm and inviting and very practical for the renter as you can adapt the pattern and shape to each room or home as required instead of spending big money for a space you may not be in forever.

2. Walls: We all know there are never enough hooks in a rental property, but thankfully there’s a huge range of stick-on hanging strips to let us fill the walls, without making a single hole. Hanging your favourite paintings adds your mark and makes a space feel your own. Consider using many small/medium frames to fill a large wall; they are lighter to hang than one large piece, plus you can swap them around when the mood suits.

3. Doors: Never underestimate what you can do with a door. By hanging a Moroccan tassel, coloured ribbon or an ornament from the door handle, you can make a subtle but stylish statement. It’s also a great way for kids to identify their rooms without causing any damage.

4. Plants: I am passionate about indoor plants and have them everywhere. Tropical plants and succulents add ambience and freshen the air. Lush green leaves are soothing for the soul and you can have year-round colour by using decorative or colourful pots.

5. Art: Artworks don’t just have to be on the wall. Placing frames on mantle pieces or window frames is a great look, and don’t forget sculptures. Personal objects add dimensional interest to any room and say something about you.

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6. Storage: It’s always a problem for any home, especially a rental property, but instead of jamming everything into small built-ins, consider using decorative storage boxes and baskets which can be displayed and become an accessory. To make an inexpensive statement, why not wrap a cheap box and lid in wallpaper; you can fill it with your personal things and create a masterpiece at the same time?

7. Mirrors: They can make a small space feel large, a narrow space feel wide, and they are also perfect to bounce light around even the darkest of rooms. Add a brightly coloured or ornate frame and they also become an artwork.

8. Lighting: You may not be able to change that ugly light fitting, but you can change the globe to a softer light. Another trick is to add a feature floor lamp, brightening up an empty corner, and table lamps with decorative bases that always help set the mood.

9. Furniture: When renting, you should consider smaller or modular furniture pieces which can easily adapt to any room configuration. Another tip is if you can’t add the colour you like to the walls, why not repaint your furniture? That secondhand side table may just become your favourite new piece.

10. Kitchen: When it comes to decorating, the kitchen is often overlooked. Consider the simple effect of bright new tea towels, a bold fruit bowl and a funky coloured kettle. You’ll be able to make the dullest of rental kitchens reflect who you are, and it will be fit for Nigella.

–James Treble , the resident interior designer on Channel 10’s The Living Room, is the new interior styling ambassador for online homewares shopping destination, Zanui. Last year, he was chairman of the Colour Society of Australia’s NSW division.