Out & About Autumn 2019

Out&About lifestyle

INTERIORS

Renting a property doesn’t mean you can’t make it feel like home, here are some tips to stamp your style. And if you’re thinking of revamping your bathroom, injecting some colour will make you bang on trend

furniture, re-selling sites and thrift markets will result in some unique designs perfect for those on a tight budget and time frame. Illumination – lighting can transform your rental property. A bold ceiling fixture is an easy change to make and is the perfecting finishing touch to add a bit of extra style. Make sure you consider the natural light available in your home and ensure bulky furniture does not block it. Think about how lighting ties in with your overall aesthetic even when they’re switched off. Cosy extras – soft furnishings are the easiest and cheapest way to update a space. Turn your sofa from drab to fab by covering it with a throw and cushions. Rugs provide multiple functions in a rented home – they cover an unappealing floor, while protecting your deposit from

Decorating advice to make a rented house feel like home Wall-spiration – magnolia-coloured walls can make your house feel more flat-pack than fab-pad. Stick- on wallpaper works well in rented properties as it can jazz up your décor, but still be easily removed without damaging the surface area of your walls. *NB it’s always best practice to check this is OK with your landlord first, even if your tenancy agreement already allows these types of decoration. Furniture fun – if your home is already furnished, reposition items to give the space a new lease of life, then finish the space with accessories such as a magazine rack, candles, an ottoman or floor lantern. If it is unfurnished, unleash your inner creative. First consider where your current furniture pieces will sit and then shop for any new finds. Flat-pack

accidental spillages and stains and can be moved around to switch up your interior style. Indoor gardener – bring the outside in. Putting large plants in corners, eventually adding to the space with smaller cacti and succulents on shelves and mantelpieces. Not only do houseplants bring a space to life, but ones with broad leaves, like the peace lily and rubber plant, remove toxic compounds from the air, boost your mood and positivity levels and make you feel more relaxed.

Bolder colour schemes in the bathroom echo the trend towards more colour in the interiors sector as a whole Greys – The common colour denominator in the bathroom right now is grey. As a composite colour, it’s not only suitable as a unifying background for all colour chords and accents or for making white sanitaryware gleam, it’s also perceived as a colour in its own right and can be emphasised accordingly. Browns – are also on trend, paticularly shades that are both warmer and more neutral. Similarly to grey, there’s just one simple rule: anything goes – as long as it’s not boring or devoid of nuance. The secret lies in the subtle tints and shades. Brown can contain hints of mud, clay or terracotta, olive, bronze or rust, pine forest or cedarwood, powder or taupe – the possibilities are endless. Primary colours – bold colours and contrasts are used to make a clear statement that advocates more optimism in life. Primary colours set the agenda – intense shades of red, yellow, green and blue, that also includes options like warm orange, mysterious violet and smart amber yellow.

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O&A AUTUMN 2019