We’re rockin’ on with our fourth episode of the much-loved series Upgrade My Stay, and this time, we’re turning a boring condo space into a music-lover’s paradise! If you’re not familiar with our series, Upgrade My Stay is a show where we check into vacation rentals with the goal of upgrading the stay experience with some DIY, design, and decor, all before check-out. Make sure to watch the first few episodes where we tackled a cozy winter cabin, a loft, and even a winterized yurt on our YouTube channel here!

Our host Nigel is a music enthusiast who lives in downtown Toronto in a one bedroom condo. He works in the film industry, which means he’s often travelling, so he’s looking to upgrade his space to be more enticing for renters visiting the 6ix while he’s away. He passed his keys off to us and we got to work making his rockstar world come to life!

Blues Before and After

Of course the first thing we started with in Nigel’s space is adding a little bit of colour to the walls, because what’s rock and roll without the crazy reds and vibrant blues? In the living room, we painted an accent wall a really nice steel blue colour, and in the bedroom we toned it down a bit by painting the accent wall a nice oatmeal beige to feel more calming. We also added some peel-and-stick vinyl wallpaper to the wall below his breakfast bar in a blue, white and gold chevron pattern. This covered the previous wood colour that didn’t match the other wood tones in his condo to make the whole space feel cohesive.

Feels Like Home

Next we brought in some staple furniture pieces that are both cozy and functional. For Nigel, eating at the breakfast bar all the time might not be a problem, but for guests with more than one person, it can be a turn-off. That’s why we brought in a new dining table and 4 chairs (blue velvet, of course). We also got rid of his existing desk which he said he no longer needed, and added a comfy armchair for extra seating. In the bedroom we installed a full-length mirror and a tufted bench that acts as extra storage and a place for people to rest their suitcases. So functional and super cozy.

Shine a Light

Nigel has great natural lighting in his space, but we wanted to make sure that the proper areas of the room were lit up, especially for people staying there during the evening. Over the dining table we installed a retro black pendant light that added another element to the design and created a separation from the couch, seeming like an entirely closed off space despite the dining table being part of the living room. We also brought in a tripod style floor lamp near the new arm chair to add some extra warmth to the room.

Lock & Key

Security is a big issue for hosts if their space functions as both a rental and their home, so we wanted to make sure Nigel could feel safe leaving his things behind while someone else lives in his home. First, we installed curtains in his bedroom to hide his closet where he keeps all of his clothes & shoes, which acts as a clear warning for guests to stay out of that space. Then we installed a smart lock to his nightstand drawer, which means he can lock up any valuables like ID, cash, jewelry or anything else he doesn’t want other people finding. By just waving his cell phone he’ll be able to access those essentials when he returns home.

Magic carpet ride

One hack that we’ve been loving recently is to stack carpets on top of one another to create a layering effect. A giant single-toned rug can sometimes look overwhelming or get lost in a space, so bringing in a smaller and more interesting one adds depth to your design and can make your other furniture pieces pop. For Nigel, we used a large jute rug on the bottom and then laid a faux cowhide carpet overtop for a more masculine finish.

Put Your Records On

And now it’s time for the final touches! It wouldn’t be a music-themed apartment without, well, the music! We propped the numerous records and record player on a new glass shelving unit that both Nigel and guests can enjoy. For his guitars, we used guitar hooks to hang them on the walls throughout the entire apartment which functions as both a storage hack and beautiful art. Finally, we thrifted these amazing vintage records which we nailed to the walls in a creative pattern - the best part about this is that it’s totally customizable to which records you like and which pattern you install them in, so send us a picture on Instagram if you attempt this DIY!