This Renter Used Pool Noodles and Plywood to Make a Custom Booth — Take a Peek

Moving from a bustling one-bedroom apartment in Orange County, California, to a spacious 2,600-square-foot house in West Tennessee is quite a change, but for Shelby Turner, it’s a new opportunity to showcase her unique style and love for DIY.

With years of renting experience, Turner has mastered the art of transforming a temporary space into a personal oasis.

In this interview, she shares insights on her design approach, the challenges of decorating rentals, and tips for others wanting to make their apartment feel like home.

A Quick Start: Decorating from Day One

Turner's journey as a renter began in college in 2013. Since then, she’s rented her primary living space, which has been an ever-changing canvas for her creativity. 

“I got started pretty quickly,” she says about decorating her one-bedroom apartment in Orange County. “After nine months, I was able to put my own stamp of personality into it. I would have done sooo much more if we didn’t have to break our lease, but I loved the way it turned out regardless.” 

Now in her new home, she’s ready to dive into larger projects and bring her ideas to life.

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Room by Room: Turner's Approach to Design

When asked about her design style, Turner explains her room-by-room approach. 

“I find one piece that I really like, whether it be a wallpaper, a blanket, a vase, and then I design the room around that,” she says. 

She also creates a mood board to piece everything together and make adjustments along the way, a strategy that helps her navigate the tricky balance of blending different styles. Her biggest inspiration? The bold and rebellious spirit of the Memphis Milano design movement. 

“I love the fact that they went against the popular trends of that time and designed from their hearts and souls,” she shares, emphasizing the importance of creating a space that tells a story.

Creative DIY Projects: Budget-Friendly and Unique

Turner has tackled many DIY projects over the years, but her favorite was transforming an eating nook in her last apartment. Using unconventional materials like pool noodles and plywood, she built a custom booth. 

“For all of the material, I maybe spent $100,” she says, proving that creativity doesn’t have to break the bank.

Her biggest splurge, however, has always been wallpaper. 

“They can be expensive. Sometimes I will buy a solid-colored wallpaper and then paint it to get the desired look, but sometimes I will splurge and buy the expensive wallpaper that I love,” she admits.

Tackling the Challenges of Temporary Spaces

Making an apartment feel like home comes with its challenges, especially when considering the temporary nature of renting. However, Turner doesn’t let this hold her back. 

“Apartments are temporary, but so is life,” she says with a smile. “I don’t think you should let renting stop you from turning your apartment into a home.” 

One of her best-kept secrets? Using art easel paper as a protective barrier between peel-and-stick tile and the original surface. 

“It has lasted me for years, and it keeps the property intact,” she says, offering a simple yet effective solution for renters worried about potential damage.

Turners’s Top Tips for Apartment Dwellers

For Turner, the key to creating a personalized space lies in embracing bold choices and not being afraid to make changes along the way. Her advice for fellow renters? Start with one piece you love, create a mood board, and be flexible with your design as you see how everything comes together. 

“Sometimes things don’t look as good once they’re in the room as they did on my mood board,” she confesses, “so I just have to pivot and rearrange things to make it look better.”

As she embarks on decorating her new Tennessee rental, Turner is excited to explore new ideas and continue evolving her style. Whether it’s creating a cozy nook out of pool noodles or splurging on the perfect wallpaper, she’s not afraid to let her personality shine through. 

In her words, “I love to walk into somebody’s house and be told a story just from looking around.” And there’s no doubt Turner's next home will tell an incredible story of its own.

Turner's creativity, passion for DIY, and love of bold design choices have turned each rental into a personal oasis. For renters looking to transform their spaces, Turner's advice is clear: don’t be afraid to get creative, embrace the story your home tells, and always make your space feel like it’s yours, no matter how temporary it may be.