One thing that you will always hear renters say, is that their property doesn’t feel like ‘home’. Many people believe that this feeling can only come with homeownership. Without ownership, you lack an element of control. You don’t get to decide if and when a property gets sold, and you don’t get an awful lot of say in how the property looks. Some renters luck out with a laidback landlord who’s happy for them to make changes, but for most, there are rules and boundaries to adhere to when decorating.
That being said, there are plenty of easy hacks out there for renters that will turn a property from dull to dazzling. With the right ideas, you can definitely put your own individual stamp on a rented property, so there’s no excuse not to make your space feel like home!
Focus on your lighting
Never underestimate the power of well-placed lighting! Your home should feel atmospheric, and lighting is the key to achieving this. A landlord is unlikely to put too much thought into lighting other than a ceiling bulb in each room, but you can up the ante with the use of lamps.
Make sure each corner of a room is well-lit. You can do this by adding statement floor lamps, or perhaps a few quirky table lamps. For a nice evening glow in your lounge and bedrooms, opt for warm, lower wattage bulbs. These will give that relaxing, soft feel that will evoke all kinds of comfy, cosy feelings when you need them most.
Hide the things you don’t like
Every rental property is different, and everyone’s taste is different. You might love the flooring, fixtures and furniture in your rental but then again, you might not. If not, then that’s ok – there are always ways to improve on them.
If it’s the floor that you’re not keen on, disguise it with a rug. This might not be practical in every room, but where possible, cover it up with something more to your taste. Opt for colourful patterns, or plush and luxurious textures to add warmth and class where it may lack. If your rental property gets chilly in the evening and in the colder months, a nice thick rug will trap in the heat and keep you cosy.
Hate the curtains? You can easily swap those out too for something more your taste! Just make sure you keep the ones your landlord has provided safe so that you can put them back up if and when you move out.
If your property came with a sofa and you’re not too keen on it, stock up on cushions and throws and adorn it with all your favourite colours and textures. Not only will it make your sofa super snuggly, but it will transform a room and have it looking more like something you’d design yourself in no time at all.
Paint the walls
It is always worth asking your landlord if you can make changes to a property. Who knows – they might just say yes and you could be doing them a favour. If the walls in your property aren’t already white, ask if you can paint them. Neutrals are most landlord’s preference – and how much more neutral can you get than white? White makes the perfect blank canvas for anyone’s style. It goes with almost all furniture. It looks great with darker tones, with wood, and bright pops of colour. White walls also make a space look bright, clean and airy. And who doesn’t want that?!
If you have any wardrobes, chest of drawers or bed frames that have been supplied in your rental, it’s also worth asking if your landlord would allow you to paint those a neutral shade too – if they aren’t already. Have a chat with them and see what they’d be happy with you changing. If you’re freshening up and updating a space, then hopefully there won’t be a problem.
Storage, surfaces, and bookshelves
One of the most common rules in rented property is not to nail anything to the walls. Any good landlord will compare landlord insurance policies to ensure that they are as protected as possible, however, nails in the wall can leave damage behind for the next tenant.
It can be frustrating not being able to hang artwork, photos and shelves. You can, however, rely on surfaces such as window sills, TV units and coffee tables to display your nik-naks. Could you invest in a standing shelving unit of some kind? This is a great way to add height and dimension to a room, cover any blank spaces, whilst giving yourself extra storage space and display opportunities for books, prints, plants and all those little things in your home that really reflect you.
