Whether you’re a property guardian, renting a room while you’re in town for a yoga course, or enjoying an open-ended stay in a foreign city, you’ll be staying in temporary accommodation. Or, put another way, you are a ‘bohemian’. So why is your temporary living space so uninspiring? In the movies, the boho lifestyle is never drab!

But temporary accommodation doesn’t come looking ‘boho chic’: the decorating part is up to the Bohemians (that’s you). To help you turn your temporary house into a home, here are our Top Tips for creating a plush, personalised living space, using only what can be tossed into your carpetbag when the wind changes.

Repurpose/Up-cycle

Repurposed items are great for avoiding unnecessary expense. It can also be satisfying to extend the life of things that would otherwise go to waste. If you’re in the market for items to repurpose, consider letting the landlord know ahead of your move-in, so they can put you in touch with current tenants before they vacate. Your predecessor may be happy to leave things that you took a shine to when you viewed the property. Or, if you like surprises, show up on move-in day and see what’s been left. If your predecessor had great taste, you might be delighted with what you find. If not, speak to the landlord about removing unwanted items so you can start with a more neutral space.

Lightweight, Freestanding Decor

Temporary living space usually comes at least partially furnished. You probably won’t be able to make any drastic changes to the furnishings, so you won’t be lugging in a massive couch you picked up at the Salvation Army. That said, a little can go a long way. Don’t underestimate the difference a simple floor lamp can make to the ambiance, or the brightening effect of a statement vase in an otherwise dull room. A re-painted dining chair is easy to move in and out of your temporary abode, and yet can make a bold statement in any room. A large free-standing cork board creates ample space for your art, pamphlets and other eye-catching items, and even framed artwork can be leant against walls—the ultimate in renter-chic. (Really? Leaning artwork against the walls? Yes, really—ask Pinterest.)

Go Big on Textiles

Curtains, cushions, throws and rugs are your heroes when you don’t have the option to get your rollers out and paint the walls. Large drapes can provide a surprisingly large area of colour, and you can use smaller pieces like cushions to accent a room. Bonus if your accommodation is done up in neutral colours and you can go to town with your own palette, but even if the walls are painted fire-engine red, you’ll be able to assert your colour sense with well-chosen textiles. You needn’t invest in new things—up-cycled textiles are cosy and homely, and invite you to put your feet up!

Vintage Suitcases

If you can get your hands on a vintage suitcase, you’re in luck—there can hardly be a more versatile item in a temporary housing situation. As your parents are always saying, “once upon a time, things were made to last”, and (as your parents are also always saying), they’re right: that old suitcase from the ‘70s, while probably the least practical choice for transporting clothes on an actual journey in 2020, will make a handy coffee table or display unit for your cherished items. And when you leave your temporary home, you can pack your stuff in it and take it with you, or put it into storage without having to fuss with boxes.

Display Your Clothes

Once you’ve dealt with fundamental decor concerns like colours and lighting, how do you make the space feel more ‘you’? Time to take unpacking your vintage suitcase to the next level and display the contents. What’s more expressive of your personal style than your clothing? While decor for temporary accommodation is usually thrown together quickly and cheaply, you may have spent years collecting clothing, shoes and accessories that express your tastes and even memorialise your travels. Displaying them on clothes racks, hatstands and shoe racks is a great way to tell the story of who you are and how you got here.

Even if your accommodation comes with built-in storage, you might like to bring your own clothes rack and hang your most fetching, colourful pieces. A word of caution—don’t display ALL your clothes. Nobody wants to admire your gym shorts. If it’s an option for you, consider putting some of your clothes in short-term storage, so your temporary accommodation isn’t cluttered. Ideally, you’ll only have outfits that are appropriate to the season and the activities you’re here to do. (Keep your dancing shoes!)

Whether this is your first time in temporary accommodation, or you’re a seasoned boho on the hunt for new inspo, we hope these tips will help you settle in and feel at home.

And, before you go, if you’re looking for temporary accommodation in and around London - check out our available properties.