Welcome back to What I Rent – Metro’s tenant diary series exploring what renting is like in the UK and further afield.
When Michelle first moved into her new flat, it had a rather uninspiring colour scheme of white, grey and beige.
So, the mum-of-one decided to spruce up the place: injecting colour, adding stick-on-tiles and jazzy wallpaper.
Eight years on and while her rent has increased since she first signed on the dotted line, she can’t imagine living anywhere else.
Here’s what Michelle had to say about her renting journey…
Tell us about yourself!
I’m Michelle, and I live in Mill Hill East, northwest London, with my 14-year-old daughter, Annabel.
I’ve always been drawn to interiors, but it’s only in recent years that I’ve really honed my skills, and committed to growing my Instagram page, The Corner Flat LDN.
Day to day, life is a mix of home, work, and constantly thinking about the next little project.
What kind of property do you rent and how long have you been there?
I rent a two-bedroom, first-floor flat, and I’ve been living here for nearly eight years.
How much do you pay to live here?
My rent is £1,750 per month now, although it was £1,200 when I first moved in.
Initially, it was right at the top of my budget as a newly single mum. Over the years, even with rent increases, it’s been worth the price.
And what do you get for what you pay?
I get 52m² of living space, with two bedrooms, one bathroom, a fairly decent-sized living room, and a little galley-style kitchen.
I’m lucky to have a huge loft, which I’ve turned into an office and also use for movie nights. It’s technically big enough to be a double bedroom, but without windows, it doesn’t qualify.
Where is your home based? What do you think of the area?
My flat is a short walk from Mill Hill East station. Finchley Central is also within walking distance, so getting around isn’t a problem at all.
The neighbours are friendly and it’s nice to be settled in an area that’s calm but still connected to the city. Plus, having the luxury of a Waitrose on my doorstep is a bonus.
How did you feel when you first viewed this property?
When I first walked in, it felt like stepping into a clean but very much a blank canvas, lots of grey and white and not much else.
The bathroom in particular stuck with me: it was immaculate, but so clinically white. It felt a little overwhelming, but now it’s hard to recognise the place.
How have you made this place feel like home?
It took me a good few years to come out of my grey era, but the turning point was surprisingly simple.
I decided to switch my bedroom around, and it suddenly clicked that the way I’d had it laid out before was completely wrong. Just moving the position of the bed made the whole room look better, like it could breathe.
Next, I had loads of leftover paint samples lying around, and one day I randomly masked off rectangles across my living room wall and painted them all different colours. Everything else snowballed from there!
What was your inspiration for the style?
I trust my gut on colour and styling, rather than following trends.
About five years ago, after becoming unwell, my priorities shifted. I wanted my home to be uplifting, almost like bringing the outside in.
Colour lifts my mood. I’ve always loved crafting, upcycling and DIY, but now, one idea usually leads to another, and then there’s something new, colourful or slightly unexpected being added somewhere.
Is your landlord happy with you doing bits?
My landlord hasn’t seen the place in person for a few years, but I’ve been mindful to make sure that anything I do is either temporary or easily reversible.
I’m not knocking down walls or removing fixtures; it’s more about clever updates like stick-on tiles, adding colour to the walls, or using wallpaper that can be painted over or removed if needed.
Do you have any tips for decorating a rental?
You might be renting, but you’re still allowed to create a home.
Can you talk us through the main rooms?
The living room is the biggest talking point. Swapping my old beige sofa for a pink chaise-type sofa made a huge difference. It instantly lifted the room and set the tone for everything else.
I’ve developed a bit of an obsession with disco tiles. I upcycled a globe bar cart and covered it in the tiles, and then did the same with a cork side table. Honestly, who doesn’t love a bit of sparkle?
The bedroom has also become one of my favourite rooms. It now has the coolest pink squiggle wallpaper that makes the whole room playful.
I swapped traditional wardrobes and drawers for pink and yellow locker-style storage, and I have a pink cooler fridge for late-night drinks, which feels slightly indulgent but very fun.
What advice would you give to renters who don’t think that they can let their creativity shine?
Don’t be afraid, honestly, what’s the worst that can happen? Style evolves.
Right now, this is what makes me happy, and I think you have to lean into that, rather than holding back.
You can start small – find an old piece of furniture on eBay and completely transform it, or focus on styling a corner of a room.
Do you have enough space?
I don’t think I’ll ever feel like I have enough.
This is actually the smallest home I’ve ever had. I’m originally from Northampton, where you get so much more bang for your buck, and even a large Victorian four-bedroom house eventually seemed too small after a while.
What would you like to have but don’t with this flat?
A garden, but I’ve compromised by having an allotment.
Are there any problems with the home you have to deal with?
Yes. When I first moved in, everything had been freshly painted and I thought, great, this won’t need touching for a while.
Then winter hit, and in came the mould.
Do you have plans to move again anytime soon? What about buying a place?
No immediate plans — I’m really happy where I am for now. Maybe in the future, once my daughter has flown the nest, I’d consider a move out of London. Buying is something I’d consider one day as well.
Shall we take a look around?
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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