LEADING style writer Katie Ebben offers quick fix tips to make the most of a rented flat without spending a fortune or falling out with the landlord
SPRING clean: If in doubt paint it white - you'll need to get your landlord's permission first - but there is nothing quite like a liberal coating of white paint for making a grotty flat look infinitely better. Try Dulux's Once which will cover practically anything in one coat.
Hide the dralon
Cover shabby sofas with large cotton throws in a cheery colour, or to make a room look bigger use white. Ikea have a knitted cotton throw/blanket for £30 (020 8208 5600). Scatter cushions can be used to add colour as well as provide back support in a saggy armchair.
Banish 60's carpets
Swirly patterned carpet is best covered up with a large rug, choose something neutral so that patterns and colours don't clash.
Make the most of your lighting for example, by investing in table lamps. Dotted around a room they create a nicer ambience than a single overhead bulb. If you live in a basement replace all overhead light fittings with daylight bulbs which creates a more natural light for daytime use.
On reflection
If rooms are small and or dark put up large mirrors. Search out bargain pine shops that sell off cheap mirrors and tart one up by painting the frame gold or silver.
Shiny chrome
Use descaler to smarten up taps and sinks, if the shower head is clogged up try soaking it in descaler or - if it's plastic, a solution of vinegar and water is just as efficient at removing limescale.
Smart tiling
While you can't retile the bathroom you can clean up grey grouting with a grout pen that will immediately make tiles look brighter and more like new. It's a bit like colouring in with a chunky felt tip pen that dispenses a brilliant white thin layer of grout, and you can also use it on kitchen tile grouting.
Small things matter
If the shower curtain is past its best bin it and buy a see-through curtain with a funky design, they don't cost a fortune and help to make washing a more pleasant experience. If the bathroom floor is a bit grim an extra large twist towelling bath mat can be used to cover up a multitude of sins and make things more inviting underfoot.
