Renting an apartment or home is a great way to save money while you’re saving up for the down payment on a house. However, it can be challenging to decorate your rental space to suit your lifestyle when there are no walls or ceilings that are yours and yours alone. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to make any rental property feel like your own.
1. Add your own furnishings.
One way to personalize your space is by adding some of your own furnishings. Bring in a few pieces of furniture that you love, or borrow from friends or family members. This will make the space feel more like home and less like a rental. Try to avoid bringing in too many pieces, though, or you may quickly run out of storage space.
2. Hang curtains or blinds.
Another way to make your rental feel like your own is by adding some curtains or blinds. This will help to hide the fact that it’s a rental and give you a little bit of privacy. When choosing curtains or blinds, make sure to pick a style and color that you love, so you’ll be happy to look at them every day. Also, consider how much natural light you want entering your room.
3. Add some personal touches.
One of the best ways to make any space feel like your own is by adding some personal touches. This could mean hanging up photos or paintings, adding plants or flowers, or putting up a few pieces of your favorite artwork. Adding these little touches will make the space feel more like home and less like a generic rental. Just get permission from your landlord or property manager if you plan on drilling holes, putting in nails, and the like.
4. Use temporary solutions.
If you cannot make any major changes to your rental property, you may opt for more temporary solutions. This could mean using a throw rug to cover up a cold floor, hanging up some curtains to hide ugly walls, or adding some colorful pillows to your sofa. These solutions can help you make your rental feel more like home without doing any damage.
5. Get creative with storage solutions.
Most rental homes are small and cramped so you’ll undoubtedly run out of storage space. Get creative with your storage solutions. This could mean using boxes or crates to store your belongings, hanging shelves on the walls, or using a small dresser as a bedside table. If you’re short on storage space, think outside the box and develop some creative solutions.
6. Find a creative way to display your belongings.
If you cannot add any furniture or accessories to your rental property, you can still make it feel like your own by finding a creative way to display your belongings. You can use decorative baskets to store your clothes, hang up your pots and pans, or stack your books on a shelf. Differentiating your belongings from everyone else’s will help to make your rental feel more like home.
7. Avoid using too many rental items.
One of the quickest ways to make a rental feel like a rental is by using too many rental items. For one, it can be expensive to rent everything you need. And, secondly, it will make the space feel less like your own. Try to avoid using too many rental items and instead, use items you already own. This will help to make the space feel more personalized.
8. Create a focal point.
Modern rental homes can often feel bland and uninviting. Creating a focal point is one way to add some personality to your space. Try to choose one area of the room that you want to stand out and then decorate it accordingly. You may add a large mirror, a colorful rug, or a statement piece of furniture. By focusing on one area, you’ll help to make the space feel more inviting.
9. Use scents to make the space feel like home.
Another way to make your rental feel like home is by using scents. You want to avoid using anything that’s too strong or overpowering, but a few subtle scents can help to make the space feel more inviting. Try using a scented candle, a potpourri sachet, or an essential oil diffuser. Different scents will have different effects, so find one that you love and use it to make your rental feel more like home.
10. Place your bed against a window.
If you’re lucky enough to have a bedroom with a window, place your bed against it. This will not only allow you to enjoy the natural light, but it will also give you a great view. Plus, it can be really nice to fall asleep and wake up to the sight of trees or flowers. If your bedroom doesn’t have a window, try placing a large mirror near your bed so that you can still enjoy the natural light.
You can make any rental property feel like your own by following these tips. Just be sure to get permission from your landlord before making any significant changes. There are plenty of ways to make your rental feel like home, from adding your own furnishings to making use of views and scents.
