Decorating Tips For Renters Who May Be Limited on What They Can Do

If you live in a rented home, you’ll know the struggles of wanting to make your home feel like your own without affecting your deposit or being a nuisance to your landlord. Most landlords won’t allow you to make any permanent changes to the property, meaning you’re very limited on what you can do to make the home your own.

So what is the best way to add your personality to a rented home? Interior designer Ryan McDonough from MyJobQuote.co.uk has all the answers. Ryan provides his tips below, along with insights from various designers and home experts. So, if you want to make your rented property your own, take a look at the tips below.

Use Peel and Stick Removable Wallpaper

Peel-and-stick wallpaper is a great option for renters as it's relatively easy to put up, and most varieties won't cause any damage to the wall underneath. You can get peel-and-stick wallpapers in a huge range of colours and styles to suit all.

Simply put the wallpaper up to make your home your own, and then remove the wallpaper before you move out to ensure you can get your security deposit back. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is a great choice for creating a feature wall in a room. This can completely change the overall look of the room, making it much more appealing and personal.

Replace Cabinet Hardware

Allia Virtudazo, an interior design expert at Archic Furniture, suggests, “Replace existing cabinet knobs or handles with your preferred style, and keep the original ones to reinstall when you move out.”

This is an excellent idea as it allows you to add your own personal touch to areas with cupboards, such as the kitchen or bathroom. As long as you keep the original ones safe, you can return the cabinets back to the condition they were in when you moved in before you vacate the property.

Make Use of Rugs and Floor Mats

If you have dull carpets, wooden floors, or vinyl floors in your rented property, you can easily spruce up the flooring with a statement rug. A large rug in the centre of a room can completely change the overall look of the room. Plus, it has the benefit of protecting the floor underneath.

Choose a rug that reflects your personality with your favourite colours and patterns. It’s important to choose a rug that fits in with the size of the room and the furniture in the room. Large rugs work very well in most settings. Avoid making the common mistake of buying a rug that’s too small. If you’re unsure, choose the larger size that will really make a statement.

Use Peel and Stick Removable Tiles

Self-adhesive tiles are perfect for many different uses. For example, you can use peel-and-stick tiles to create or update a splashback in the kitchen, giving it some personality and adding your own touch to the space. The tiles tend to be very easy to install. They're as simple as they sound – you simply peel and stick the tiles to a surface and install them. They tend to be relatively easy to remove and don't tend to leave any damage behind.

You can also try using peel-and-stick tiles to spruce up an old table or countertop. Whatever you choose to do, go for styles that suit your personality and match up well with the space.

Add LED Lighting Options

LED lights are a great way to add ambience and highlight specific areas of a room without the need for any internal electrical work. Consider adding LED lights behind the tv or choose peel-and-stick LED light strips that can stick along the length of a wall or underneath cabinets or furniture to create ambient lighting. Most LED strip lights come with a remote control that allows you to change the colour and brightness to set the scene.

Alternatively, you could choose battery-powered string lights to make the room feel cosier. These can be drooped over furniture, around windows, or over internal doors to make the space feel warmer and more inviting.

Update The Lighting Fixtures

If there is limited natural light in your home, consider purchasing some lamps and other lights like those listed above. You could choose a statement lamp which acts as part of the décor rather than just an accessory that provides light. When you’re limited on things you can do to decorate your home, the small changes can make a big difference.

Consider the function of the light and where your home needs light the most. Stand-up statement lamps are perfect for the living room, whereas table lamps are great for in the bedroom or home office. Lamps at various levels can create drama and depth in a room as well as provide an ambient glow. This can help to make the room seem less static and feel much cosier.

Use Over-The-Door Storage Racks

Over-the-door storage racks are perfect for creating additional storage without the need for drilling or making any structural changes. This is also perfect for smaller homes where there isn't as much room for storage.

You can get a range of different over-the-door storage options, such as over-the-door shoe racks, shelves, and hooks, so it should be easy to find the right over-the-door storage to suit your needs. This could save you from having to put up shelves or add larger storage solutions.

Add Some Mirrors

“The magic of mirrors is that they can make a room seem bigger and brighter by creating an illusion of space", suggests interior design and lighting expert Matt Little, owner of Festoon House. “You can hang a big mirror up against the wall to make it look bigger or get a statement mirror to make it look more eye-catching.”

Mirrors come in all different shapes, styles and sizes, so it shouldn't be too difficult to find something that suits your personality and style. If you're unable to mount a mirror to a wall in your home, consider choosing a tall stand-up mirror. Alternatively, you could install a mirror on a piece of furniture. Try to add mirrors opposite windows to increase the illusion of space and maximise the amount of natural light in the room.

Add Some Plants

A home can never have too many houseplants. Indoor plants can help to bring some nature into the home, brighten the space, and boost your overall health and well-being. There are many different types of houseplants to choose from. If you're new to houseplants, choose something that is easy to care for, such as a Peace Lily or Snake Plant.

The more plants, the better. Biophilic designs are very in right now, so adding a range of houseplants to your space is a great way to bring your home up to date. Plants create a calming and relaxing atmosphere. Plus, they have the ability to clean the air in your home, helping to improve your health. Choose some beautiful plant pots to showcase your gorgeous plant babies.

Play With Textiles

When decorating your home, you want to ensure that you add layers. Layers come in the form of colours, patterns, lighting, textiles, pictures, surface treatments, plants and more to add character and depth to the room. Textiles are great for adding layers to a space.

Add some soft furnishings to your home, such as large throws, rugs, curtains, and cushions. If you are unsure how to add layers to your home, begin with one dominant textile that catches your eye, such as a large blanket, rug, or curtains. Once you've added this item to your space, you can then go on to create more layers as you see fit.

Choose Multifunctional Furniture

Multifunctional furniture works extremely well in rental homes. You can use pieces of furniture to transform your room for various functions. Choose aesthetically pleasing furniture that performs the functions that you need it to and can adapt to your needs.

If you live in a small home, multifunctional furniture can work wonders. For example, a foldable dining table can act as a small side table most of the time and a larger dining table whenever you choose to fold it out. Stackable furniture is also a great option for smaller rental homes. A nest of tables is a great idea, as well as stackable chairs.

Hang Artwork and Pictures Without Nails

Artwork and pictures on the walls can completely transform a room. This is one of the best ways to add your personality and unique flair to your home. You can dramatically change the entire atmosphere in the room. Plus, it’ll feel much cosier and more homely.

You may be worried about hanging things on the wall. However, the good news is you can hang things without worrying about putting holes in the walls. Consider using damage-free picture hanging strips, white tac, or easily removable tape to hang up your favourite artwork and pictures without worrying about losing any of your deposit.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are many things you can do to add your personality and update your rental property to suit your style and needs. However, it’s important to always check with your landlord before making any changes, even temporary changes.

Many landlords are open to small changes as long as they can easily be reverted back when you move out. However, others may be more strict. With this in mind, it's always important to check first, as you don't want to find yourself in a sticky situation with your landlord.

By being creative and resourceful, tenants can easily personalise their living space without putting their security deposit at risk.

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