Tag: renters

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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.

Pinterest image
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
Renting

Make your rental feel more homely with Amy’s top tips

With sky-high property prices the new norm, particularly in our major cities, home ownership is increasingly out of reach for many people. So, how does one make a rental feel like a home?

Command hooks
Made for renters, as you don’t have to ask your landlord permission to use them, Command make a range of no-hole, picture hanging hooks and Velcro strips that won’t leave unsightly holes in the wall nor peel paint when you move on. Available in a variety of sizes and with the ability to hold up to 3.6kg, these plastic hooks and strips are ideal for hanging pictures in a rental – a gallery wall being the obvious choice for nesting types. There’s nothing that makes a house feel like a home more than a wall displaying your favourite photographs, prints and wall hangings.

Create a sentimental gallery wall with removable Command hooks. Image: Hunting for George

Indoor plants
Currently a massive trend, indoor plants (coupled with gorgeous pots) really do wonders for any interior space. Plus, when you move you can always take them with you.

Indoor plants can transform a space. Image: Pop & Scott

Paint
Some landlords will allow you to repaint provided you paint the walls back to the original colour before you depart. Some are even happy for their tenants to make permanent changes though will usually want to sign off on the colours beforehand. A bit of an undertaking, you could simply pick out a few areas to paint instead for that personal touch – the front door is the obvious pick.

A simple customisation solution – this pink door adds instant personality. Image: Dulux

Lighting
It’s amazing the difference that lighting improvements can make. Swap out your outdated ceiling lights for a more stylish alternative – IKEA make a variety of affordable paper and drum shades. Alternatively, investing in a couple of statement table and floor lamps is always a good idea as you can take them with you when you leave. And for alfresco areas, LED string lights look rather magical.

Inexpensive pendant lights work wonders. Image: IKEA

Removable wallpaper & wall decals
While the market is flooded with a variety of wall decals and removable wallpaper, varying in quality, there are some brands doing great things. No longer simply available in shiny finishes, there are plenty of realistic-looking textured ones to choose from now. A great alternative to paint, removable wall decals and wallpaper allow you to customise your rental without leaving a trace of it when you move out.

Quercus & Co make gorgeous removable wallpaper tiles

Rugs
A large area rug is ideal for covering unsightly carpet or other undesirable floor coverings – ugly tiles and lino spring to mind. Plus, they’re great for demarcating zones within the home and you can transport them to your next home too.

West Elm Boho Textured Wool Rug, $699

Portable shelving
A fabulous alternative to a built-in bookcase, portable shelves (ladder ones are currently on trend) are the perfect spot for you to display your favourite tomes and trinkets – both of which will make your rental feel homelier.

Mocka Maya Ladder, $99.95

Knobs & hardware
Sometimes a simple change of door handle or knob can make a huge difference to the overall look of a space – especially on kitchen cupboard fronts or wardrobe doors. Just remember to take the old ones with you when you are purchasing replacements to ensure they are compatible. You can simply change them back when you leave.

A guilty pleasure of mine, the knob selection at Anthropologie is unsurpassed

Check out Darren Palmer’s interior tips for renters

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Homewares RENO ADDICT Renting

Dulux’s new paintable wallpaper is removable too

Wallpaper is an easy way to inject interest into your space. Dulux’s new Design Wallpaper Paintables range gives you the power to add textured dimension to your walls in your preferred colour scheme. It’s wallpaper meets paint! AND it’s removable.

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Comeing in three textures – linen, concrete and pinstripe – this new product offers completely new possibilities for design from bold and striking walls, or used sparingly to create subtle visual interest.

Dulux Colour Trend Forecaster, Andrea Lucena-Orr, says combined with paint, this innovative design solution is simple and cost-effective. “The range not only beautifies walls but easily covers small imperfections, with no stripping, filling or sanding required for slightly damaged walls,” she says.

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Gone are the days where the application and removal of wallpaper is an arduous task. Using the latest technology, Dulux Design Wallpaper Paintables can be easily applied and maneuvered for precise application; as well as effortlessly removed by peeling off where the glue does not damage or remain on the existing wall substrate.

“The range is incredibly easy to work with in regards to fixing on the wall and painting because the paper is so much thicker than standard thin wallpaper,” Lucena-Orr says.

There are many ways that wallpaper can be used to complement existing room features by adding an accent above a fireplace, hallways and inner wardrobe walls. “Paintable wallpaper adds texture to your walls that paint alone can’t achieve. Textured wallpaper takes your paint to the next level, allowing you to create a luxurious bespoke look,” Andrea adds.

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“It offers homeowners, and even renters, the opportunity to have more control over the design of their living space where you just peel the wallpaper off the wall when it is time to redecorate or move.”

Dulux’s range of paintable wallpaper allows you to transform and hide slightly damaged walls, turning them into the ‘wow’ factor of your home without having to add more costly items such as tiles, stone or textile fabrics.

Available exclusively at Bunnings stores with an RRP of $34.95 per roll. Roll size 10.5m x 0.52m. For more information and project inspiration.