For those renters who do not have the option of making permanent changes to the walls, woodwork, floors or architecture of their home or apartment, there are several quick fixes which can be used to dress up or hide the 'uglies' or to create more storage. All of these are affordable and within the abilities of everyone. One of the most useful is screening. You can buy or have decorative room screens made, but they are very expensive and have some drawbacks. You can also go to your local home store and in the section devoted to closet doors pick up pre-hinged, bi-fold doors in various widths. These come in plain flush doors as well as louvered, paneled and even mirrored. They come finished and unfinished. You can paint them, cover them in fabric, or simply place them as they are in front of anything which throws a room off or is just unfortunate to look at. You can hide an ugly view from a window, create a work area for a computer or hide the children's toys. The advantage to these closet doors is that they are taller than most decorative screens and therefore tend to look more like a part of the room. Shorter hinged shelves which are made for windows or pass-throughs can be set on low bookshelves, desks or tables as dividers or simply to hide items which need to be accessible but dont add to the look of a room such as laundry baskets, or spare towels. Sit a few plants or a small chair or decorative table in front of a screen and you create a pleasant small scene which adds to your room and hides a problem. These are totally portable and can always be taken with you to your next apartment. Architectural details such as columns, pieces of pediment or cornice can be used to hide an ugly heat duct or an awkwardly placed outlet. If they are set slightly out from a wall and grouped they won't block the airflow but they will block the objectionable item. Fabric is affordable and useful. You don't need to be a seamstress. Iron on fusion tape is available for non-sewers. Fabric can be stapled on screens. It can be wrapped around a piece of plywood to create a headboard, draped over a table to add color and incidentally create a hiding place underneath where storage is needed. Strippable wallpaper borders and cut-outs can be used to add interest and can be easily removed when you tire of them or need to move on. They are a way of adding interest to a room which lacks architectural distinction and unlike the larger projects of papering whole rooms; these are easily managed by someone without experience. A border near a ceiling is best done with two people if it is your first attempt. Rolls of strippable paper are available at most wallpaper outlets. You can cut out sections or pieces of wallpaper and apply to kitchen cabinets if they have a Formica or laminate finish, to walls in bedrooms or bathrooms and to add interest to foyers and hallways. Wallpaper can also be used to cover the screen dividers mentioned above as well as lampshades and other items. You can usually find books which will give you all sorts of ideas for this useful product. Finally, lucite or plexiglass can be used to make airy shelving for books, plants and collectibles. It can be rested on bricks, pavers, columns or even fabric covered cartons. Cut to size on a cocktail or end table, it can be used to cover a picture montage or an interesting fabric. Most home stores will cut it to size for you. There are many other problem solvers available and I suggest a leisurely stroll through any home improvement store. When you go, take a list of the problem areas to be hidden or improved along with measurements and photographs if you have them. Look at everything from door knobs to 2X4's as possibilities for quick projects. You will be surprised at what you will find that is affordable, readily available and a perfect temporary solution to decorating problems. Contributions to this article by ON THE GO 4 U design consultant, Suzanne Copenhaver. |
