A rented home can feel restricting at times, especially when it comes to interior decor. There might be conditions and/or rules in place that hinder your ability to design a room the way you want (depending on your landlord).
With over 4.44 million households (and rising) living in a rented home in the UK, we thought it would be a good idea to share advice on how you can make a personal stamp on a rented house.
Read on to discover how to make a rented home look and feel like your own…
Hang that artwork
Not being able to drill holes in the walls tends to be what prevents those who live in a rented home from hanging artwork they love. However, we have the perfect solution for you!
Nowadays, you’ll be able to purchase specially designed picture hanging strips and/or hooks that will leave absolutely no damage, and they work on pretty much any type of wall surface. You’ll be able to purchase this item from most home improvement retailers, or a quick search on Google should do the trick.
What’s more, if you’re thinking that your artwork is too heavy for a picture hanging strip or hook – you’re wrong! You can purchase strips that are specially designed to support heavy-duty wall art – so get those pictures up! They’ve been gathering dust in the closet for too long.
Get the paint out
We truly believe that a canvas colour has the power to influence the overall aesthetic of a room, without having to do much else.
Generally speaking, landlords won’t have an issue with you painting your home in what is considered a neutral colour. Think whites, creams and beiges. However, if you would prefer to paint a room in a more vibrant shade (e.g blue or pink), most landlords won’t mind as long as you return it to a neutral colour when you decide to move.
We would recommend writing to them to ask beforehand (so that you have proof of permission!) or simply mentioning it before signing the rental agreement.
Peel and stick tiles
If your main focus is to change the overall appearance of a bathroom and/or kitchen space, consider using peel and stick tiles in your pursuit of home transformation!
Many homeowners also choose to use this hack, simply because it’s a cost-effective way to transform a room (as opposed to tearing out existing tiles and replacing them), plus it allows for a style spruce up more often. When you’ve had enough of the style you initially went for – simply swap them out to create an entirely new look!
You’ll be able to browse through copious amounts of sizes, designs and styles online, and they won’t leave any damage to the existing tiles. It’s worth mentioning that if you’re looking for peel and stick tiles to go on top of paint or wallpaper, be sure that you choose an option that is made for this. They are out there!
Invest in freestanding furniture
For the majority, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to add any built-in features to your rented home – but you don’t need to. Simply invest in freestanding furniture instead!
Not only will freestanding furniture look just as gorgeous in your home, but you’ll also be able to take it with you anywhere you want.
More houseplants
Houseplants can be used to decorate a space, we know this. But there are also tons of other benefits that’ll make you feel at home.
Houseplants have been proven to reduce stress levels, make us feel more comfortable in our surroundings, put us in a better mood – and they’ll also purify the air in the home. Need we say more?
Use curtains to create an interesting focal point
Do you feel the rooms in your home are a little bare or missing a little zhuzh? Consider using fantastic pairs of curtains to showcase your unique style in your home.
High-quality curtains (such as the ones from The Mill Shop!) can truly transform the look of any room in your home, and there are no limitations when it comes to finding the perfect style and design for you.
For example, The Mill Shop offer an extensive range of curtains that showcase different styles. So, whether you love the idea of having curtains that demand your attention, or a more classical and subtle feature that oozes elegance, we guarantee you’ll find what you’re looking for with The Mill Shop..
Soft furnishings are your friend
Whilst we’re on the topic of curtains, it’s worth mentioning that soft furnishings in any shape or form are a sure way to transform the overall look and feel of your home.
This is simply because soft furnishings are the perfect canvas to feature any type of pattern, design or style that you like, making it a perfect way to showcase your style through your home decor.
Use home decor accessories to make your mark
This is a super-effective way to make your rented home look and feel like your own. Remember the freestanding shelving units we mentioned earlier? Why not use them as an opportunity to showcase your own stylish flair?
And that doesn’t mean that you’re limited to only decorating units. As an example, take a look at the image below. This person has used their shelving as a blank canvas and transformed it into an exciting and stunning household feature.
We would recommend that you consider getting creative with your home decor accessories so that you can make your home look and feel like your own. Mirrors, books, ornaments, plants – fill the space with whatever you like!
