How to Make a Rented Property Feel Like Home

Even if you don’t own the property, there is no reason why you can’t make the property feel like home. There are lots of simple changes you can make to liven up your living space to make it feel more comfortable and welcoming and here are some examples of how to make a rented property feel like home.

Check with the landlord what is and isn’t allowed

Before you make any changes to the property you should first confirm with the landlord what you can and can’t do, ensuring you get confirmation in writing. If the changes aren’t too extensive, most landlords will be fine with you making the place more homely as it indicates you will be living there for a long period, which is usually good news for them.

Painting and decorating

If you are not permitted paint the walls or change the flooring, you can still paint your own possessions. If you want to change things up in the room and introduce some of your own ideas, why not repaint a coffee table with a brighter colour or reinvigorate a wardrobe with a fresh tone? There’s lots you can do around the property without affecting the landlord’s furniture or fittings and fixtures – just be sure to put down coverings before you start.

Add your own personality to the décor

A home really can’t feel like a home without adding your own personality to the décor. That doesn’t have to mean injecting lots of colour and sparkle (although if that’s what you love then you should) but whatever reflects who you are as a person. You can add some soft furnishings to make the room feel cosier, with rugs, cushions and blankets often the most affordable option. It’s the small touches that can really make a difference and allow your home to be a true reflection of your personality.

Personal photos, art, and wall hangings

Your home should naturally reflect the things you love and that interest you, whether it’s family photos or paintings from your favourite artists, or a bookshelf or Blu-ray collection that you’ve lovingly curated over the years. This is a cost-effective way of adding dimension to your home, with photo frames and wall hangings readily available to buy online at low prices.

Get some houseplants

Bringing some plants into your home is another great way to make it feel more homely. Not only will they bring colour and literal life to the room, but they can also help to improve the air quality. If you work during the work there are plenty of low maintenance plants you can buy that only require you to water them a couple of times a week, so you won’t need green fingers to own them.

Be creative with your storage

Most people struggle with storage, as there rarely seems to be enough when you need it most. However, there are ways you can get creative with your storage, even if you live in a compact property. Furniture or accessories that offer additional storage space can be ideal, such as beds with large in-built drawers, or sofas with under-cushion space. Maybe add some shelves to a cupboard space so you can store extra items or buy multipurpose furniture that take up less floor space.