Even in the coolest of Athens student living, rental apartments and houses are still mostly in neutral colors with neutral flooring. After all, they’ve got to be attractive to a wide array of people, and while some people would be down for a violently-chartreuse statement wall, others would turn down even the best, closest-to-OU apartment for such an interior design insult. Some landlords put cozy, stylish twists on their apartments, but it’s still not you, because it’s not yours.
But how are you supposed to make your off-campus apartment feel like yours without breaking that no-holes-in-the-walls clause of your lease? No worries – there are a bunch of ways to temporarily make your place exactly the way you want it. That way it doesn’t really feel temporary; it feels like home.
Not Everything Needs to be Hung on a Wall
Athens is kind of a boho, bed-on-the-floor place. Downtown staples like Import House are just the kind of place that can give you a taste of the tapestries-everywhere, casual, light-hearted vibe of this little historic town. And what’s more of a classic college apartment look than that?
Go with it; not everything needs to be hung on a wall. Lean a full-length mirror or large piece of art against a wall. This might be a great excuse to go make a piece of art on a big canvas, or visit Passion Works for statement pieces that are one-of-a-kind, but also quintessential Athens.
Add Narrow, Tall Shelving Towers in Any Room
Adding standing shelving to any of the rooms in your rental can hugely increase your storage, and it can also allow you to display art, framed photos and other items that are important to you. Does your kitchen have a weird corner? Find a tall corner shelving unit.
Have a ridiculous amount of books but hate the look of bookshelves? Find a narrow and tall shelving unit, fill it with the things you love, and then stack your books next to it. It’s boho, but it’s also a retro, messy-professor aesthetic. Pretty fitting for an OU student’s apartment, right?
You can also get shelving towers and over-the-toilet cabinets for the bathroom, too. Who needs a linen closet anyway? Add a bunch of storage – open or closed – and get the chance to show off your towel-folding techniques without having to ask for the landlord’s permission.
Ever Heard of Wall Decals or Vinyl Stick Backsplashes?
There are so many damage-free ways to makeover a living room wall or kitchen backsplash nowadays. You can get mammoth-sized vinyl decals and make a statement wall in the living space or bedroom. There’s everything from abstract flowers to forest landscapes to scenes of a kraken breaking a ship in half.
Want to spruce up the kitchen a bit? They make vinyl tile backsplashes, too. You could go with the vintage look of an uptown efficiency apartment and its historic fireplace with vinyl stickers that look like punched tin. Or, you could go super-modern with brushed-steel style subway tile decals.
Also, just saying, but did any of us ever stop loving glow-in-the-dark star stickers on our bedroom ceilings? Have some fun; you’re not totally grown up. Sleep under the stars even though you’re inside!
Adhesive, Adhesive, Adhesive
Speaking of things that stick to walls, you might be surprised at the array of adhesive products you can use to hang things on the walls. From double-sided tape to coat hooks, 3M Command Strips for hanging art, and more, install them right and remove them carefully, and on move out day it’ll look like you were never there at all. Until then, you’ll have friends asking you why your Athens landlord was chill enough to let you hammer holes in the walls.
You don’t have to give up your secrets; we won’t tell.