Why I'm Writing This

As a working professional, renting is an unavoidable topic. When I first graduated, like most people, I lived in an old and small rental apartment, worrying daily about the mottled walls and aged furniture. I often wondered why those boutique hotel-style rooms online looked so beautiful while my room was so ordinary. After years of exploration and experimentation, I finally discovered some secrets to transform a rental apartment.

Having rented 6 different places over 5 years, I've deeply realized that renovation isn't the only option for transforming a rental. In fact, many landlords don't allow major renovations, and considering the uncertainty of rental duration, investing too much in renovations isn't cost-effective. However, this doesn't mean we have to compromise on living in an unwelcoming environment.

After countless trials and errors, I've developed a low-cost but effective transformation plan. These changes won't damage the property structure or cause trouble for landlords. Most importantly, these are "light modifications" that you can take with you. When you move, all these improvement items can be brought to your next place, making them quite worthwhile.

Basic Improvements

I remember when I first moved into my current place - it was a typical old apartment complex unit with a dated atmosphere. The walls were covered in nail holes like acne scars, which was quite frustrating to look at. The furniture left by the landlord was old, with wooden pieces full of scratches and metal surfaces showing rust. Looking at all this, I was worried it would cost a fortune to fix everything.

However, I later discovered that solving these issues was much cheaper than I had imagined. First, for the furniture scratches, I bought a touch-up pen from IKEA, which turned out to be one of my best purchases. Using it is simple, just like drawing with a marker - gently apply it to the scratch. I spent a long time finding the exact matching color, and after the touch-up, even my particularly observant mother couldn't tell the coffee table was second-hand when she visited.

For deeper scratches, I first use some wood filler, and after it dries, I apply the touch-up pen. Scratches treated this way are undetectable even up close. I later helped my neighbor repair her solid wood dining table using this method, saving her hundreds on a new table.

For those annoying nail holes in the walls, I bought wall putty from Taobao. Honestly, I was skeptical about this $2 product at first, but the results were surprisingly good. The putty has a toothpaste-like consistency, and you can easily fill the nail holes with a scraper. After it dries and you apply some wall paint, you won't find any traces of the original holes.

Here's a money-saving tip: when buying wall paint, always get small test sizes. You don't need much paint to cover a few nail holes, and a test size is sufficient. I didn't know this my first time and bought a large can, most of which dried up unused - pure waste. Now many online stores offer small sample sizes for just $1, which is plenty.

I also found a good method for dealing with wall stains. Sometimes there are mysterious stains on the walls, and you might worry about uneven coloring if you cover them with paint. You can buy a magic eraser for about 50 cents - it can remove most stains with gentle wiping. For oil stains, spray some diluted dish soap on the stain first, wait a bit, then wipe with the magic eraser for better results.

Finally, a reminder about attention to detail when handling these basic issues. When filling walls, lightly sand the surrounding area for a smoother finish. When painting, maintain even pressure and paint in one direction to avoid brush marks. These small details may seem insignificant but can significantly improve the final result.

Soft Furnishing Upgrades

When it comes to upgrading a room's class, curtains offer the best value for money. Many people might think changing curtains is troublesome and expensive. However, you don't need to completely replace the original curtains - just adding a layer of sheer curtains can instantly elevate the room's style several notches.

I bought white sheer curtains from Taobao for just $5, and the effect was beyond imagination. Their biggest advantage is the Velcro design, making installation extremely convenient without any tools. This design is perfect for rentals as you can easily remove and take them when you move. I remember the first day after installation, lying on the sofa, watching sunlight filter through the sheers - it was incredibly relaxing. When I posted a photo on social media captioned "Staycation vibes," many friends thought I was at a boutique hotel.

Besides the sheers, I added some small hooks to the curtain rod for hanging dried flowers and small plants. These plastic hooks won't scratch the rod and are very cheap - just 70 cents for 10. Every morning when I open the curtains and see sunlight streaming through the plants, it instantly brightens my mood.

Here's a tip about curtain selection: if your room is small, choose light-colored sheers, preferably pure white or beige. This makes the room appear more transparent and helps natural light disperse better throughout the space. If your room has poor lighting, you can sew small sequins onto the sheers. These sequins reflect light points in the sunlight, making the entire room appear brighter.

Besides curtains, lighting transformation is key to upgrading a room's class. I bought several small night lights from Taobao, some rechargeable and some battery-operated, all around $3 each. These night lights emit warm light, perfect for reading or watching TV in the evening. Their small size allows flexible placement, making them great for enhancing room ambiance.

I particularly love having an adjustable night light by the bed. I can brighten it for reading at night and dim it when I want to create atmosphere before sleep. I found this night light online for just $4, but it doesn't feel cheap at all. One charge lasts a week, and it even has adjustable color temperature - it's truly amazing.

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