This post is sponsored by CORT. All opinions are my own and always will be! Thanks for supporting content that keeps Jojotastic going.
Let’s be real here: life is totally unpredictable, especially when you’re a renter, renovating, or moving to a new city. Often, I find that those transitional phases in life are the most stressful. For example, during our renovation, our tiny bungalow has become an absolute disaster! It can feel like our home is just a house… full of chaos. So today I teamed up with CORT Furniture Rental to share tips to make those times of life easier!
How to Make Your House a Home During Times of Change
When I first moved into the tiny bungalow, I was totally overwhelmed with pressure to immediately settle in and make it feel like a home instead of just a house. Some of that pressure comes from seeing everything looking so perfect on social media… and some is because I just really wanted to celebrate having my first real, true home! But here’s the thing… that can get expensive! And after the cost of moving and buying a house, I was pretty much tapped out. Thankfully, CORT is the perfect furniture rental service because it helps you to accomplish so much — and all in one place.
With CORT, you’re able to try out different styles of decor and furniture without a huge financial burden and without having to commit longterm. Living small is all about flexibility, so being able to rent furniture and test out different styles helps a ton. Personally, I know my style has evolved in the 3 years since I bought the house, leaving me with pieces that don’t feel right anymore. Instead of buying a totally new sofa, I love that I can rent one and test out the aesthetic… and maybe change my mind again!
If you’re a home owner, CORT can work for you, too. Renovating really takes a toll on your budget, so being able to furnish your home affordably is huge. I’ve always though of the bungalow as an investment property, something that we’ll use for profit in the future. Because of this, we have to make really smart decisions. As we renovate the bungalow (and turn it into a vacation rental), we are extremely aware of the financial decisions that we need to make in order to be profitable. CORT will allow us to stylishly furnish the house, so that it’s inviting for guests.
Here are a few more tips to help you update and refresh a small space:
Scale
When decorating a small space, don’t be afraid to mix in a few large scale pieces for drama and a focal point! An arc lamp is one of my favorite ways to add drama to a space, but with a small footprint.
Dual functionality
When I bring anything into my home, I always consider how it can do multiple jobs. For example, a coffee table with storage.
Trick the eye
Hang your curtains high to draw the eye up and make the room feel taller. Also use flat paint on the ceiling. Flat paint helps to create the illusion of space and higher ceilings because it doesn’t reflect as much light as a satin finish.
Ask for help
Sometimes you need a second set of eyes! CORT’s experienced team are pros and reviewed my Pinterest board to see what was the best fit for my home’s style.
Organize creatively
Don’t worry about storing things by room or category. For example, we store our bed linens in the credenza under the TV.
I’d love to know more about how you cope with living in transition! And if you’re living in a rental, renovating, or planning to refresh your space, definitely check out CORT Furniture Rental to help you turn the space into a cozy home.
