How To Make A Rented House A Home

Looking for tips to update a rented house or ideas to make your rented home your own? You've come to the right place! Read on to discover our quick, cost-effective and straightforward tips on adding character to a rental property.

Explore your options

Speak to your landlord to explore your options for changing and adapting your rented property. This will vary depending on the individual or organisation.

Some landlords or agencies will have a strict policy banning most alterations to rented flats. In contrast, others will have a more relaxed approach. Suppose you're lucky enough to have a laid-back landlord. In that case, they should permit you to make extensive changes if they're not permanent or as long as you agree to change things back when you vacate.

It's best to find out what you're dealing with before you get carried away planning to personalise your rented flat to the maximum, only to get knocked back. Your landlord may be delighted with your request to paint the walls as it may save them the time and expense of improving the property for future tenants.

Investigate vinyl

Vinyl is a great way to upgrade a rented property without making permanent changes, and it's flexible enough to be used on various surfaces. Places like B&M's, Amazon and The Range offer a vast and varied range of stylish vinyl you can use on walls, tiles, splashbacks, tables, kitchen cabinets and more.

Be creative

If you're desperate to adorn your walls with your favourite prints, pictures and postcards, but your landlord won't allow you to put nails into them, it's time to get creative. Using tape to stick prints to your walls is a fun way to brighten up a room and add character and colour to your rented home.

Go green

Plants are the perfect way to personalise and freshen up a tired-looking property. They're more stylish than ever, so you could be a few succulents away from turning your flat from drab to fab. 

Show your personality

Whatever you're interested in, let it show in your home to add personality to your pad. If you've collected every copy of Vogue from the last ten years, pile them up and use them as a nightstand or coffee table.

Maybe you're comic book crazy. Why not frame your favourites and display them on shelves or on the floor? If your love lies with fabulous handbags, use a bookcase to show them off rather than condemning them to the back of your wardrobe.

Add cushions and rugs

Sad sofas and worn-out carpets can be quickly revitalised with the addition of some scatter cushions and a rug. A carefully placed rug can mask many stains and threadbare patches, making your rented home your own in no time. Combining pillows and a rug can go a long way toward creating a new colour scheme if your rented property is beige.

Create the feeling of space

Space can be an issue in rented houses and flats, especially in city centres. Plenty of mirrors will create the illusion of extra space and maximise the light flooding into your home. If you aren't allowed to put nails in the walls, improvise by using command strips, tape, pegboards, or simply standing them up against the wall on cupboards, desks and tables.

Store unfavourable furniture

You may be renting a property furnished, but that doesn't mean you have to put up with the furniture you've been given. Suppose you have the money to invest in your own furniture over time, or you've bagged some amazing bargain furniture on eBay or Facebook. Why not put selected items of your landlord's furniture into storage and use your own?

This is a great way to feel at home in your rented house without cluttering it with too much stuff. After all, it's great to move into a ready-made home, but if it doesn't feel homely to you, you're not restricted to using what's already there. Buying your own furniture gradually while living in rented accommodation is also a fantastic way to build up your own furniture collection. It will save you the upfront cost of purchasing everything at an already expensive time.

Light it up

Changing the light fittings in your rented home can be a cost-effective way to make a big difference to the property. Equally, adding a table or floor lamp can create a more ambient mood and make a rented flat feel more cosier and stylish. Choose your lightbulbs wisely, bearing in mind their environmental credentials and the mood you're aiming for in each room.

Switch around curtains and blinds

Curtains and blinds can often be easily fitted or switched to totally alter the appearance and feel of a room. Some people love curtains, while others swear by blinds, so shop around to find the right option for your taste and budget.

Again, speak to your landlord to ensure you know what's allowed when making changes to your rented home. Still, a small investment could go a long way, and you may well be able to take your soft furnishings with you when you move on to use in your new home.