Beachy Bachelor Pad Makeover

Laurie March adds nautical charm to a rental unit with calming colors and kid-friendly details.

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November 25, 2014

By: Laurie March

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Starting Fresh in a Rental

When Gregg Steiner was looking for a fresh start, he wanted a place where his kids could feel comfortable visiting and he could relax after long days running his technology services business. To achieve his vision and calm the space, he opted for a sisal rug, slubby woven couch fabric and nautical accents.

Landlord-Friendly Updates

The stained carpet was updated with a hard-wearing laminate floor and a high-quality underlayment to keep noise to a minimum. A sandy blonde color works for the landlord and the current renter with his beach-inspired decor.

Multipurpose Living

Extra storage can be found in this underused nook with a wipeable storage bench to house overflow home items.

Double-Duty Dining

A drop-leaf table makes for a convenient space for Gregg to sit by himself, or open up to seat three when his kids are staying with him.

Playful Message Board

To bring the whole kitchen together, a black chalkboard was painted on one wall of the galley kitchen to complement the black appliances.

Neutral Remix

To enlarge the space visually, we painted a wide horizontal stripe on two walls in a glossy cream color. The flat white wall paint and the glossy stripe add a rich, layered feel.

Nod to Nautical

The bathroom walls were painted a khaki color, giving the space a coastal feel. Gregg's nautical inspiration came from vintage travel posters, framed and hung here over a storage bench.

Blue and White

With permission from the landlord, the aging vanity was updated in a navy blue semigloss paint. The original hardware stayed on for a pop of white.

Shower Curtain Quick Tip

Want a quick way to disguise aging metal framed shower doors? Hang a bold striped curtain on a rod in front of your shower doors to add color and texture to a bathroom instantly. If you're renting, consider using a tension shower rod so you don't have to patch walls when you leave.

Beachy Storage

In a small space, woven baskets can offer much-needed storage for extra towels. Greg stocked the bathroom with oversized outdoor pool towels in neutral colors.

Anchoring the Design

For a masculine touch, the brown leather bed is a dark anchor to Gregg's bedroom space. Tall mirrors and glass lamps in a sepia color balance out the height of the bed, reflecting light around the dark space. Keep your fabrics and linens casual and soft in a beach-inspired space — select items you'd love to come in to straight off the beach and take a nap with.

Beachy Bachelor Pad Makeover

Related To:

Shop This Look

Starting Fresh in a Rental

Landlord-Friendly Updates

Multipurpose Living

Double-Duty Dining

Playful Message Board

Neutral Remix

Nod to Nautical

Blue and White

Shower Curtain Quick Tip

Beachy Storage

Anchoring the Design

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