When you first step into Laura’s home (*not her real name for privacy reasons), you may be surprised to find that it is actually a rental unit given how nicely she has dressed it up.

As seasoned renters may know, there’s a fine line between wanting to create as nice a home as possible and wanting to save on expenses that you would never be able to recoup.

It all starts with the bones of the place, and this particular 20-year-old unit was an interesting one.

“The house has wooden parquet in all the rooms, including the main hall, which encompasses both living and dining,” she shared. “Plus, the window frames are clad in wood too. It is nice and unusual for a condo, but it can feel a bit too warm and oldish.”

Presently, Laura and her husband, their son, and their helper are staying at their place together