Design Your Apartment Without Losing Your Security Deposit
I’ve met so many security deposit worry warts! For fear of losing a few hundred bucks, some folks would rather live in a dump than make a few adjustments. But there are many ways to design your apartment without losing your security deposit.
Upgrade the Light Fixtures
People are so timid when it comes to making changes to their apartments. So, many tenants complain about lousy light fixtures, but do they ever do anything to fix them? No. “I don’t want to ruin my security deposit,” they say.
But y’all need to understand one simple truth: landlords enforce security deposits, so y’all don’t make the apartment worse. They don’t mind if you make changes for the better.
If you remove old, dated, yucky light fixtures and replace them with something modern and stylish, maybe even a ceiling fan, your landlord likely won’t mind. It’s good to check ahead of time, of course, but as long as it stays after you leave, there should not be a problem.
Faux Marble Countertops
I love marble countertops! They are classic yet modern, sleek but subtle. However, I don’t think too many landlords would be happy if a tenant ripped apart a counter and put a big ol’ rock in the middle of the kitchen. So instead, for a fun DIY project, you can take rolls of wallpaper stickers that look like marble and cover them over your counter. Y’all might think this sounds cheap, but trust me, no one can tell the difference.
Use Washi Tape for Wall Decoration
Kids love to draw on the walls; y’all don’t need me to tell you that. And while cave painting was a big no-no for me growing up, parents nowadays are more willing to let their children get creative on specific walls in the house. But for moms and dads living in apartments, that kind of creativity can lead to you losing your security deposit.
That said, a suitable replacement comes in the form of washi tape. Like normal tape, washi tape comes in various colors and can easily stick to your walls. However, it can come off without leaving a mark. By picking up a few rolls of washi tape, apartment parents can give their kids a chance to add their own designs and color to the home without losing a few hundred bucks in the process.
Change the Knobs
One of the easiest ways to design your apartment without losing your security deposit is to spruce up any old, dingy bathroom or kitchen by replacing the cabinet knobs with something more stylish. They screw in and screw out: as easy as pie. Most landlords won’t notice the switch, or they’ll appreciate what you’ve done after you leave.
