A Moodboard for Renters

Bethany Zedalis, an interior designer at FAI Architects, says renters can do a lot to personalize their spaces. Aesthetic updates start with focusing on “what you can remove and what you can add” and discussing “reasonable requests” with your landlord.

“If you want to repaint your space but fear the landlord may say no, offer to repaint the space [in] the [original] color when your lease is up,” Zedalis suggests. “We took down a wine shelf that hung over our small eating bar … [this] instantly opened the kitchen and we saved the shelf and screws so it could be reinstalled.”

The moodboard above illustrates Zedalis’ personal design notes to provide quick ideas for renters — and to inspire a collage of your own.

1) Reinvent Your Shelf: “Renting shouldn’t stop you from adding personality through art, shelving, plants, rugs or unique furniture pieces. Look at your surfaces and experiment with pieces you’d like to display.”

2) Neutral Versatility: “Think of your sofa as a neutral backdrop that allows you to express your style through throw blankets, pillows and other accents.”

3) Source Thoughtfully: “Etsy is a great resource for finding distinctive art and décor you won’t see in big-box stores. Challenge yourself to shop small and explore what local makers have to offer.”

4) Furniture for the Future: “Start investing in quality furniture pieces for the items that get the most daily use: your sofa, coffee table, dining table and bed. These pieces may require a higher upfront cost, but they’re worth it because they’ll hold up for years.”

5) Art and Soul: “A wool throw from Peru, a vase from Japan or a quirky art find from a Los Angeles flea market all add character. … I recently discovered an artist who reimagined Klimt’s ‘The Kiss’ using line-drawing and local patterns, and I had to take it home!”

6) Three’s Company: “In merchandising, we often follow the ‘rule of odds.’ Grouping three to five items, depending on the size of the surface, is a reliable way to create visual balance.”

7) Layering Décor: “On a coffee table you might include one or two coffee table books, a tray with a candle and decorative objects, or even a small plant or floral arrangement.”

8) Comfy Combinations: “Choose pieces you genuinely love and that fit your aesthetic. This slower, more intentional approach creates a collected, lived-in feel.”

---

This story appears in the July/August 2026 print issue of Ku‘u Home magazine.