9 Easy Ways to Make Your Rented Property Feel Like Home
Most rental homes are decorated plainly by design. Landlords pick neutral colours and sparse decorations in an effort to appeal to everyone. Mention 'magnolia' and most renters roll their eyes. What was once the perfect blend of white and warm is now the black sheep of home decoration, destined to be loved by landlords and challenged by renters for the rest of time.
Luckily, with a little creativity and a small budget it's possible to turn everyday vanilla living into a delightful rental home without losing your deposit. Infusing personal style into a rented property is a fun, inexpensive way to make your rental feel like home.
If you don't quite have an interior designers budget IKEA and Etsy are great places to try. Don't be afraid to use preloved items. Websites such as Gumtree and Freecycle are ideal for bargain finds that can easily be upcycled.
Our suggestions are reversible but it's good practice to inform your landlord of any planned changes. Landlords, by and large, are accommodating when it comes to decorating on condition the property is either improved or restored to its original condition when you move out. So the trick is to work with your landlord in a friendly, communicative manner.
Related Posts
1. Dress your windows
Hopefully you have not ended up in a property with office blinds! If you have, don't put up with it! The options here are numerous depending on the effect you are looking for. You can have dramatic curtains that can block out light in the summer and keep the cold out in the winter. Or simple nets or lace that lets light in all year round. If you are feeling adventurous try some stick on privacy screens/film. They are great for rooms that open out into public areas. You can use this if you want to let light in but not worry about people looking into your home.
2. Don't neglect lighting
Usually rental homes come with the most basic of light fixtures and bulbs. Don't despair, both are replaceable. We've seen some great fixtures on Wayfair. If changing light fixtures is too much for you, try introducing lamps. You could place them on side tables or on bookshelves or choose a large feature lamp to bring inviting ambiance into living spaces. Also, just changing bulbs to warmer ones that cast soft, yellow hues can make a space feel more inviting. Mirrors can also enhance lighting, making rooms feel bigger and brighter. These are especially effective in hallways.
3. Paint the walls to change the mood
First off, if the walls are looking shabby, don’t be afraid of asking your landlord for a touch up. You might even be able to convince them to let you pick the colour! If the walls are fine but need some spicing up, try painting a feature wall in a beautiful colour. It is an inexpensive way to liven your home. If painting is not allowed, you can paint or wallpaper large MDF panels then simply leaned against existing walls to create a similar effect. Removable wallpaper and wall stickers are easy alternatives to paint in a rental property.
4. Invest in statement furniture pieces
Select, bold furniture pieces are a great way to change the look of a home. Most furnished rental homes will come with basic furniture. So, instead of replacing everything, it’s much better to invest in a few key pieces that you can take with you. From accent chairs to bookshelves or chests of drawers this is a great way to add your personality to a space.
Think about a theme before you purchase, you want things to tie together cohesively. Try not to simply pick up ‘of the moment’ pieces unless you are willing to replace them every so often.
5. Add character with accessories
This is where you can really tie everything together to make your home represent you. Think throws, scatter cushions, bed linen and baskets filled with warm blankets make a home feel cozy, especially in winter when it's dark and rainy. Consider layering up neutral colours but different textures, or bold colours in a simple texture. Don’t be scared to mix and match. Accessories such as cushions are a great way to experiment with colour.
Don’t limit the fun to just bedrooms and living spaces; accessories can breathe new life to bathrooms. Replace your existing shower curtain and add lush bath mats to update a boring bathroom.
6. Up the ante with some well placed art
Art is expressive and is a fantastic way to infuse your personality into a space. It has the added bonus of making a home more grown up. You can get affordable pieces without breaking the bank. You could also take the opportunity to support local artists in your area. Ask permission before you drill holes unless you are very good at filling them up again. See this how to video from B&Q. There are clever alternatives to drilling. Go drill free by using command strips which can come off without damaging the walls. You could also go bold with a large piece and simply lean it against the wall. Or displaying art on easels or framing smaller pieces to display on bookshelves. P.S if art is not your thing, you could frame posters or photos of your family and friends and hang them gallery style.
7. Bring life with plants
House plants can serve multiple functions. They can add colour, help clean the air, reduce stress and add fragrance. There are several that will happily live indoors. Bonus points for picking fragrant ones that can also give good scent. Be sure to have fun with your plant display. Use fun plant pots, but don’t be afraid to step out of the norm. Try hanging plants from rails, using vertical basket hangers from IKEA or potting herbs on window sills.
8. Keep your feet happy by changing up the floors
Whatever the case is with your flooring it is still possible to personalise. Whether you hit the jackpot with great wooden floors or have basic coloured carpet. Layering rugs is a brilliant way to break neutral wall-to-wall carpeting or protect wooden floors. Personalise your hallway with a runner, keep kitchen tiles warm with floor mats.
9. Bonus tip! Swap out the fixtures & fittings
For the finishing touch, change your fixtures and fittings. If you are up for it, it really can change the feel of a room. From kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, door and wardrobe knobs, handles, shower heads to furniture feet, each provides a quick way to substitute boring with authentic. Choose something unexpected, it will make a bigger impact.
Important things to remember
Keep in mind these simple guidelines when decorating a rental home.
Add Value: try to create a fresh, flexible backdrop that doesn't need to be replaced when you move out.
Store Items Carefully: ensure the original inventory is not lost or damaged so that you can easily put everything back at the end of your tenancy.
If you're mindful about making changes, spend money on things you can keep and use your decorating efforts to add value to your rental property, there is little reason not to turn your boring decor into a beautifully decorated rented home.
We understand that not all DIY goes to plan - why not protect yourself and your pets from any accidental damage - find out more here.