It’s not uncommon to move into a rental and not completely love the way it looks. In most cases you are not allowed to hang anything, paint the walls or permanently change anything. If you decide you want to spruce it up, you can always seek the landlord's approval first. They might surprise you and say yes to the few changes, but if they aren’t on board don’t worry! We've constructed 10 home decor hacks that are rental friendly. Hopefully these can give you a few ideas and make you feel at home
1. Improve your lighting. Very often the home may have yellow lighting bulbs, simply changing them to white lighting can make a huge difference! But if you’re not wanting to do that, purchasing a few lamps to spread out can change the lighting drastically, and they look great!
2. Invest in Rugs. If you don’t already have rugs, run, don't walk to the shops. Placing rugs down in any space can make it feel much more inviting. With so many style options you’ll be sure to find one you love. We say invest because if you purchase a good quality rug, you can take them wherever you might go. They can also provide a barrier, protecting the floor underneath which is a bonus especially being a rental. Not to mention if you aren’t loving the look of the floor, you can just cover it up with rugs! Easy fix.
3. Plants, plants and more plants. Both indoor and outdoor plants can be a great way to improve your home. They add a homely feel and a splash of greenery. If you are considering adding plants to your decor, it is definitely worth having a quick search on the best options. Especially if you haven’t had plants before, best to see which ones are the easiest to keep alive!
4. Decorate your furniture. If you feel restricted on what you can do in your rental, and you gravitate towards trying to change the property itself this could be a great tip. You might think you won’t love the space without a coat of different coloured paint, however that isn’t always the case. Try decorating your furniture, add some throw rugs to your couch, try some new ornaments, or maybe some new couch cushions. The little things add up, and if you invest over time and something here and there your space will look completely different before you know it.
5. Invest in portable storage items. Being in a rental, it is pretty clear you can’t really do renovations. However, there are many things you can do to add storage and change the space. We recommend adding decor like storage cubes, kitchen trolleys or decorative ladders. They will add space and also vamp up the space.
6. Deep clean. Conducting a deep clean every now and then can make a difference. Over time rooms can get cluttered and dirty, and you may just sweep it under the rug. But committing to deep cleaning can make your space feel like new again, and you might find all the things you thought you lost. One thing really worth doing is cleaning your grout, it can make it look so much better. It could also give you the opportunity to move things around and try a new layout.
7. Try new curtains. Curtains are something that can be overlooked. But having the right curtains for the space can be all the difference! If you have a really light space, but dark curtains it can bring down the potential for the room. If you do take down the current curtains to put new ones up, make sure to fold and store the old ones. The original ones will need to be put back if you ever decide to move.
8. Mirrors. Although we do not recommend hanging anything, without permission that is, mirrors can improve the space. If you are unable to hang them, invest in a standing mirror or two. If a room does not have a built-in robe or mirror it can feel a bit dull, adding a mirror in the corner can make it look bigger, and you can do outfit checks - bonus.
9. Update your bedding. We can often overlook our bedding and neglect updating it. Matching your bedding to your aesthetic can uplift the room extensively. As mentioned with the curtains, if you had a really light themed room and then dark furniture or bedding it could bring the room down. Change it up with some new bedding, and maybe some extra cushions too, because why not?
10. Add pictures. If you have not already, add some photo frames around. This adds a personal touch and makes it feel more like home. You can also choose various different frames to tie into your aesthetic.
After all these hacks your rental will feel like home, and look just the way you want in no time. If you rent through us and are looking to change something up, but are not sure if you can just send us an email at pm.mail@fnsalisbury.com.au.
Even if you do not rent through us, we hope these tips and tricks will help inspire you to implement some change and love your home that little bit more
DISCLAIMER
The following advice is of a general nature only and intended as a broad guide. The advice should not be regarded as legal, financial or real estate advice. You should make your own inquiries and obtain independent professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances before making any legal, financial or real estate decisions.