An Interior Design Guru Shares How To Make Your Rental Feel Like Home

Featured Image Source

Mastering the art of interior design is what can really make a space feel like home. As you imbibe the wisdom shared by the interior design guru, you might find yourself exploring a potential business in interior design consulting for rentals. But before diving in, it’s vital to establish a legitimate business entity for smooth operations. Confused? Don’t worry! Check incfile reviews to gain insights and understand how to establish your business successfully, from company formation to ongoing requirements. Romika Gunn is a pro at this, regularly giving people her rental decorating ideas to make the most out of their homes, whether they’re owned or rented. She has more than 229,000 followers on TikTok, as well as more than 67,000 followers on Instagram, where she documents her apartment and shares advice on how to create moments throughout your home. We got to chat with Romika about her thoughts on the dream of being a homeowner, the best places for home good steals, and her top tips on creating space where there is none.

Q: Why do you think most renters hesitate to make their rental a “home?”

A: I know that each of our situations can be so different; however, if I were to make a broad generalization, I would say that renting (as compared to owning a home) is much more temporary. Instead of committing to a 15-20 year mortgage, many of us are signing leases for 15 months or less. That makes it much more difficult to commit to spending money on decor and furniture pieces that do help your rented space feel much more like home. When you don’t know if you’ll renew your lease, what you also don’t know is where you’ll be next, how much space you’ll have in the next place, and if certain items will look just as good there. It’s a constant balance of figuring out where to invest your money so that you can come home to a space you feel comfortable in, with pieces that can work no matter what lease you sign next.

Q: Do you think the “American Dream” of owning a home is less relevant today? What do you think has changed?

A: This is so interesting because it is very much part of the “American Dream” to own a home. Many other countries primarily live in apartment-type housing, so given that the US is one country where so many cultures meet, I don’t know that everyone shares the same dream to own a home one day. There is a lot of flexibility when you live in a lease-based housing situation. Of course, the trade-off being that you do not have equity that comes with the ownership of a home. Across many states in the US, we are seeing a significant uptick in the cost of housing, and many buyers are making the decision to waive their appraisals, inspections, cover all closing costs, and pay significantly over the asking price of homes listed — and still, you hear that many of these offers are not being accepted by the sellers. So I believe it to be true that there are many people who would love to buy a home, but given the housing market, are having to delay or completely alter that dream.

Q: Where are your favorite places to find home bargains?

A: I think the secret to finding bargains for home decor and furniture is being patient. It truly is a virtue, and will save you tons of money over time (especially if you tend to be drawn to trendier items). Waiting for big sale seasons or discounts (even 30% off windows) save you money over time. Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, thrifting, estate sales, and local salvage auctions or stores are great places to start. For items that are more affordable, but still on trend, I like looking online on Wayfair, Overstock, H&M home, RugsUSA, Amazon, etc. Another tip is knowing which items you could find more affordably at different stores. For instance, if you’re looking for oversized wicker baskets, instead of looking at places like Serena and Lily, you can still find that balance of quality meets affordability by going to World Market instead. I think those are things you just learn over time, the more you shop and source items.

Q: What are your top tips for organizing in smaller spaces?

A: I have a highlight saved on my Instagram page (@withinwarmwalls) showing the affordable ways I’ve organized my own apartment, and I’ll leave it up just in case you need or want to reference it. In general, my best tips for organizing small spaces would be: 

1. Learn the flow of your space and take note of the items you use most often. 

Though the way one person may organize their space could also work in another’s, I do not believe organization is a one-size-fits-all. You have to take the time to learn what you use and how often you’ll use it before you can find a functional way to organize it. This will help you distinguish between the items you need more accessible organization options for, and the ones you can cover with lids, place in storage, and/or store in the parts of your space that might be harder to reach or less accessible.

2. Sort and categorize every single one of your items.

This will help you figure out how big or small your storage bins need to be, as well as hold you accountable for every item that you allow into your space. I believe that if you are willing to go through your items a couple of times a year, you will find that the items you have left in your space are ones that truly bring you joy.

3. Choose decor pieces that are also functional.

One of the biggest challenges that comes with living in a small space is learning how to fit everything you love and need in it, without causing you to feel overwhelmed or burdened by it. This is why I highly recommend choosing items that function as both decor and storage. There are so many options out there! Choosing display cabinets is a great way to aesthetically showcase items in your home, while also giving them a place to live. I personally hide my board games behind my books displayed in my cabinet as well. Ottomans with lids, as well as wicker or decorative baskets, are a great way to store shoes, throws, extra linens, pillows, etc. Choosing a dresser instead of a traditional TV cabinet is just one swap that gives some extra storage. Choosing a desk, sideboard, or console table that has drawers or shelving, a coffee table or couch that lifts are just some other suggestions.

Q: What is the most important factor in personalizing a rental space?

A: This one is simple: take the time to learn who you are first. I find that many people who have a hard time describing themselves to others, also find it difficult to decorate their space. One of the first questions I’ll ask anyone is: when was the last time you cried? It’s not necessarily imperative that you’ve cried recently, but what is important is that you are able to identify the things that you value, the things that move you, inspire you…challenge you. That you learn what brings you rest. If you can identify those things, you can easily choose artwork. You can learn how to tailor your space to become more efficient based on your lifestyle. You’ll be naturally drawn to decorative pieces that reflect you and your character. You’ll begin only allowing pieces into your home that you truly value….and you’ll begin to value yourself and your space enough to wait for them. 

More personally, I have been told that I am an old soul, and so more and more you’ll see me incorporate more vintage items and artwork into my space. I tend to look for ways to relate, and also stay in the present, so my style can also be described as contemporary or “classic,” and I have a drive to continuously push myself to challenge and experience more. So, I tend to decorate with a lot of books, the artwork that inspires me are of my travels, and I tend to keep things pretty simple because the things that I deeply value are not tangible. What stimulates me most is outside of my home, so though I do not find rest in more eccentric or eclectic styles, those tend to be the places I seek out to explore outside of my home.

Thanks for sharing with us, Romika! If Romika’s tips inspired you, you can shop some recommended pieces below:

How do you decorate your interior space? Share with us in the comments!

About Romika Gunn

---

Romika believes that home is a place that you should be able to occupy vulnerably. She is 26 years old living as a single young professional in the Dallas, Texas area. She works a full-time job in insurance, and spends her free time sharing easy tips on Instagram and TikTok to help others curate the home they currently reside in. When asked, “What is your goal with your platform?” Her response is: “To convince people that they can live, heal, and impact this world immeasurably more than they could have ever imagined.”

---

Instagram: @withinwarmwalls
TikTok: @romikagunn

For More Articles On Interior Design, Read These:

Tiny Homes Are Popular Right Now – These 12 Space-Savers Will Make Living In Them Easy

These 11 Scandinavian Home Decor Pieces Will Give Your Friends Some Serious House Envy