Rental Chic

Like many AUP students and expats, I found my first apartment in Paris to be a fully furnished rental. While there are many benefits to leasing a “turnkey” apartment, it can be hard to feel like it’s truly your home. I’ve lived in many apartments and even owned my own townhouse before moving to Paris, and these are a few tips I’ve found helpful in making a space feel more like you.

1. Decor

Decor, decor, decor—it can make or break a home. Some furnished rentals come with just the basics, while others are filled with all of the owner's non-personal items. My first tip is to assess what decor has come with your apartment. You might like some of it but feel it would work better in another space, or you might not like it at all.

Take a look around: What items do you enjoy? Does something need to be moved? Set aside the items you don't like for later. Once you've figured out what you have, it's time to consider what you "need." I put need in quotes because, sadly, decor often falls more into the "want" category—but a few well-chosen pieces can go a long way in making your home feel cohesive.

I brought a whole suitcase full of decor items from my home in the U.S.: family heirlooms and pieces I’ve grown to love. So while I had a bit of a head start on the decor front, I’m always on the lookout for a few more key pieces to really make it “mine.”

The plant came with the apartment, but I got it a new pot to better match the personal items I added to the shelves.

If you're on a budget, a great place to start for inspiration is Pinterest. If you already have a vibe in mind, try searching keywords like “French country,” “city girl,” “clean girl,” “sports bar,” “Old English,” or “dark academia.” Just don’t forget to add "home decor" to the end of your search!

Once you find the look you’re going for, it’s time to start sourcing. For students or anyone on a budget, IKEA, DIY projects, and flea markets are your best friends. Some good markets in Paris are the Vanves Flea market (Marché aux puces de la Porte de Vanves) which happens every weekend from 7:30am to 2:30pm and the markets of Saint Ouen (Marché aux puces de Saint-Ouen). There are many markets here to choose from in every price ranges, some markets are open daily but the weekends are when many vendors open their booths. If you find something in the right shape but not the right color, paint it! Looking for posters on a budget? Check out Etsy—they offer tons of downloadable prints for under $10, which you can easily frame with an affordable IKEA frame.

Decor is as customizable as you want it to be—most importantly, have fun with it!

2. Furniture

Just like with decor, you’ll want to look around and see what you like—and check if anything is broken (and report it to your landlord if it is!).

While most of the furniture in my apartment isn’t what I would have chosen, it's functional and not broken. In small city apartments, functionality is key: think beds with storage, end tables with drawers or shelves, a dresser as a TV stand—the more functional, the better.

I decided to swap out the nightstand in my apartment for one with three drawers (much more useful) instead of the current one with just a tabletop. I also chose to cover the couch. While it’s comfortable and works fine, the color isn’t my favorite. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to spend a lot on a custom couch cover—just head to the store and buy a bed sheet! Choose any pattern or color you like. You can turn a plain couch into a statement piece or, like me, cover up a color you don’t love. The best part? You can throw it in the wash with your bedsheets to keep it clean!

3. Personal Touch

You might be thinking, “Personal touch? Isn’t that what I’ve already been doing?” And yes, you have started. But this section is all about you and your life.

A great way to make a space feel like home is to engage two of your five senses: sight and smell.

Start with photos: family, friends, favorite places, or memories. Hang them up and show them off. Seeing familiar faces every day helps your loved ones (biological or chosen) feel a little less far away.

Next is scent. It’s a powerful sense that can transport us, trigger memories, and bring comfort. Whether it’s through candles, diffusers, baking cookies, cooking your favorite meal, or even using aerosol air freshener. It will help your apartment smell less like someone else’s and more like you.

4. Storage

As mentioned earlier, you might choose to set some decor or furniture items aside. If you're lucky enough to have a storage unit in your building's basement (or "cave," in French), fill it up! When it’s time to move out, you can bring the “old” back.

For the rest of us, we have to get a little more creative. Use your existing storage wisely, or consider renting a small unit to stash the larger items. Even a medium suitcase can be used for hidden storage (it fits in a large one!). The key is to be creative and make the most of what you have.

I have two storage bins that I moved with, I have filled them with items belonging to the apartment that I choose not to use, I will be putting these in storage until it is time to move out!

Quick Tips and Renter Hacks

• Command strips and hooks will be your best friend (the Velcro ones are perfect for hanging pictures!).

• No one likes the big light. Add lamps with smart bulbs or LED light strips. While it's a bit of an investment, replacing existing bulbs with smart ones lets you customize your lighting—and even change the color.

• Pipes have a clog? A cheap and natural way to clean your pipes is hydrogen peroxide and hot water. Pour the hydrogen-peroxide down the drain, let it sit for 3-5 minutes and flush with hot water. The hydrogen-peroxide will activate and work its magic at clearing some of the "gunk" from your pipes.

• Adding a couple drops of lemon essential oil to your sink drain after doing the daily dishes will keep your sink and kitchen smelling fresh.