Tips on making 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 simple tips on adding character to a rental property. 

1. Explore your options

First things first. Speak to your landlord to explore what options you have for making changes and adaptations to your rented property, as this will vary depending on the individual or organisation. 

Some landlord or agencies will have a strict policy banning most alterations to rented flats, while others will have a more relaxed approach. If you're lucky enough to have a laid back landlord, he or she should permit you to carry out extensive changes as long as they're not permanent, or as long as you agree to change things back when you vacate. 

Either way, 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.

After all, if you don't ask, you don't get. And for all you know, your landlord may be delighted with your request to paint the walls, for example, as it may well save them the time and expense of improving the property for future tenants.

2. 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 a variety of surfaces. 

Jes Rose offers a vast and varied range of stylish vinyl you can use on walls, tiles, splashbacks, tables, kitchen cabinets and more. 

As a renter herself, Jes uses her own range of vinyls throughout her home and creates videos on how to vinyl your walls or furniture easily, so check out her Instagram for ideas, tips and inspiration. 

3. 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 the walls, 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.

Plenty of different tapes are available now, so whether you go for a monochrome look with black tape and black and white pictures, or go all out with multicoloured tape and bold prints, you can go wild without worrying about losing your deposit. 

4. Go green

Plants are the perfect way to personalise and freshen up a tired-looking property. 

Plus, they're more stylish than ever right now, so you could be a few succulents and a monstera away from turning your flat from drab to fab. 

Check out local shops in your area, or sign up to a plant subscription service like Bloom Box Club if you're lacking time and inspiration.

5. 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 even 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. 

6. 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 a multitude of stains and threadbare patches, making your rented home your own in no time. 

Plus, if your rented property is decidedly beige, the combination of cushions and a rug can go a long way towards creating a new colour scheme which suits your personality and tastes.

7. Create the feeling of space

Space can be an issue in rented houses and flats, especially those in city centres. 

Adding plenty of mirrors will create the illusion of extra space, as well as maximising 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 by simply standing them up against the wall on cupboards, desks and tables.

8. 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. 

If 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 right at home in your rented house, without cluttering it up 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 collection of furniture for when you buy your own home, as it will save you the upfront cost of buying everything at an already expensive time. 

9. 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 lamps can create a more ambient mood and make a rented flat feel much cosier, as well as looking stylish.

Choose your lightbulbs wisely, bearing in mind their environmental credentials, as well as the mood you're aiming for in each room. 

10. 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 make sure you know what's allowed when it comes to making changes to your rented home, but 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.

Hopefully, our tips on updating a rented property to make it your own has given you a little inspiration and a few ideas to get started. If you follow any of our advice, please tag us in on social media so we can admire your fabulous new home!