When you are renting an apartment, you often feel like making changes is not on the agenda. After all, you dont own the space so what can you do? In this three part series, we will teach you how to devise a game plan to decorate to make your apartment feel like a home.

For every decorating project, large or small, the first step is always a walk through. You need to get a tablet or a notebook and walk through the area you are thinking of decorating while following these five steps:

1. Check for trouble spots that will cause a problem later; off center architectural elements, windows, fireplaces doors.
2. Look for anything permanent which would cause a problem in arranging a room or giving the effect you want. Particularly in older homes and apartments make a note of pipes, radiators, doorways that are closed off, uneven floors etc. In newer homes and apartments, builders often put things like heat ducts, cold air returns and thermostats just where you want to put a piece of furniture or hang a picture. Make note of these.
3. Check for trouble spots, things that throw a room off center, or 'uglies.' As a renter you don't have the options of a home owner to paint, pull apart, tear down or add to the permanent fixtures in your home. So if you don't like the looks of the layout or the color of the carpet, write it down here.
4. Mark down and measure electrical, phone, or cable outlets for TVs and computers.
5. Check windows. Do they need to be covered for privacy or to keep out light? Are the windows unusually high or too close to the floor? Are they off center, or in the middle of a wall you need for furniture placement? Now is the time to measure windows. Measure the distance from the wall and between windows, the actual size of the window, and most importantly how many inches there are from the floor to the sill (or base of window). Make a note on which windows receive sun and when.

Next you need to make a checklist of the contents of the room. Decide how the room will be used; single or multi purpose. In apartments and smaller houses you will often find you need to use the dining area for the computer or the bedroom as a craft area. Once you have your purpose you are ready to start your shopping list.

• List and measure the things you have that you will keep. If you are doing a floor to ceiling make over, you will need measurements of pieces of furniture, as well as the length and height of walls. If you have a digital camera, better yet. You can put the information into your computer. The pictures dont have to be perfect, they are just memory jogs.
• List the things that are worn out or wont work and which you will either eliminate or replace with something else.
• Finally list any purchases that need to be made with descriptions if necessary and sizes.

When you have done all this, look over your notes and take one last look at your rooms to make sure you havent missed anything which could cause a major problem.

Now for some fun! Go through decorating magazines and books. Perhaps you have saved some pictures of rooms you love. Take a fresh look at them. Perhaps there are things in these pictures which can be used to get the look you want. Or perhaps youll see a room that reminds you of the ones you have. Go to furniture showrooms and shops that sell soft furnishings and see what is out there. If you are interested in antiques, check out the antique shops and used furniture/consignment places.

Youve done the preliminary work so you are ready to go to the next step. Remember that nothing is etched in stone. If you decide on a color scheme and on your first shopping trip fall in love with something that doesnt match, take a deep breath and reconsider. You can always adjust the plan. However, once the first major purchase is made color changes are expensive.

Part II of this series will help you chose a color palette which will work well for your living space, lifestyle and personal taste.

Contributions for this article provided by ON THE GO 4 U design consultant, Suzanne Copenhaver.

Indra A Books, author of this and many other lifestyle articles, is the owner and founder of ON THE GO 4 U, Personal Shoppers & Concierge Service in the Washington DC metropolitan area.In addition to its shopping and concierge services, ON THE GO 4 U also publishes a monthly e-zine and conducts workshops on wardrobe, entertaining and decorating. For more information about the author and ON THE GO 4 U, please visit http://www.onthego4u.net

2005 Indra A Books for ON THE GO 4 U