Personalise your rental pad
by VISI BLOGGER Pieter-Ernst Maré
In South Africa, we’re historically used to big living spaces. We all grew up in homes with a dedicated space for grown-ups and, particularly, a formal lounge for when the “dominee” (priest) pays a visit – a no-go zone for inhabitants younger than forty. Traditionally, this room is furnished with prized objects of past generations and a carpet you can only stand on when you’re invited to do so.
Today, space is a rare commodity. With the current cost of buying a house, many people move into the rental market. And there’s nothing wrong with it. For too long we’ve suffered from a weird culture that fears renting a space. It felt like something you do when you’re a student, but once you hit the real world, you have to buy a house. In Europe only the top-brass enjoy the luxury of owning property…
Rentals in Johannesburg don’t usually offer the best architectural spaces. The apartments are small and stacked on top of one another. If you’re a renter in Jozi, you know how hard it is to get something that works for you. If the apartment is in the right location, safe and in your budget, you take it – regardless of the off-white walls and the lack of a lounge for those “special” visits.
What I find frustrating is that, when we rent, we never want to personalise the space. The landlord usually dictates that no paint and pictures are allowed on the walls. We live in a temporary space, waiting for the next move or for the day when we buy that house with the room. Until then, the “kaggelk*kkies” stay in boxes.
I think it’s worth making it your home while you’re staying there – even if it’s just for 12 months. So what if the landlord says you shouldn’t paint the walls? Why not just paint and repaint again when you move out? If you’re not allowed to drill holes into the walls, I suggest you stack art all over the place instead. Buy the furniture you’d like to buy now. Find your interior style now so that you have the basics when you move to your dream house.
Our living spaces should make us happy. They should reflect our personalities, how we live and what we value. Sure, the apartment isn’t in your name, but you’re still living there, aren’t you? Personalise your rental space. It might just be the best investment you’ve ever made in yourself.
About Pieter-Ernst:
Pieter is an architect from Melville, Johannesburg, and is currently employed by Lupini Architects: http://lupiniarc.wordpress.com/
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