Put your stamp on a rental property

Living in a rented property doesn’t mean your house should be any less of a home. What you can decorate might be limited, but there are still plenty of clever ways to design the space you want. Take a look at these tips and spread your creative wings, without having to worry about your deposit!

Paint

It might seem that all landlords are obsessed with cream walls but sometimes, if you just ask, you’ll find they’re quite willing to let you paint them. This is much more likely if you’re a long-term tenant or if you offer to paint them back before you leave.

If your landlord can’t be moved and off-white really isn’t your thing, you can still incorporate colour by painting your furniture: make the colourful focal point of your room a striking dresser or coffee table instead.

Statement furniture

If you don’t fancy giving your furniture a paint job, we recommend investing in statement pieces instead. A sofa in a bold print, a brightly coloured wicker chair, a quirky retro coffee table ... you get the idea.

These pieces will instantly add personality to your home and help it feel more like your own. Remember, don’t overload a room with furniture: just a few iconic pieces will make much more of an impact than lots of clutter.

Cushions

It sounds simple but, if you’re on a budget, cushions and throw pillows are a great way to inject pizzazz into any living space, especially if you can’t afford to splash out on statement furniture.

From patterns and prints to bold blocks of colour, you can utilise the power of the scatter cushion to transform your sofa from drab to fab! Plus, they make great extra seating when lots of guests stop by.

Curtains

In many rentals the curtains are standard, get-the-job-done affairs, offering little in the way of inspiration. You can fix this immediately by putting the old ones away in a cupboard and replacing them with something better!

From pretty blinds to floor-length patterned curtains, make sure they match the rest of your decor and really make your room pop. Just don’t forget to put the old curtains back up before you leave. 

Artwork

Before putting anything on your walls, check with your landlord. He might be OK with you using nails and screws in the walls, but if not you can always try hanging wall art from hooks on the dado rail.

If you don’t already own any art, you can pick up cheap bargains from car boot sales and secondhand shops. Or why not make your own by framing wallpaper off-cuts or glossy spreads from magazines? Watch your back, Picasso...

Lighting

One of the quickest ways to improve the ambience of any room is with lighting. So often rentals are decked out with harsh bulbs and dingy lampshades, so make your space feel cosy and warm with softer bulbs, tabletop lamps and even fairy lights for a touch of atmosphere.

Pretty lampshades and ornate lamps are another great way to express your style without leaving a mark on the walls. 

Storage

Plenty of rentals are a bit lacking in storage space, so why not kill two birds with one stone and make some that reflects your personal style too?

Storage gives you a wealth of opportunities to reuse and customise. Give your shelving units a lick of paint, root out that old teapot for a pen holder, or cover the backboard of your bookcase with patterned wallpaper. Simple, but effective!

Rugs

Chances are you won’t be able to do anything about the carpets or floorboards in your rental property, and this could be a pain if they aren’t to your taste.

If you really must cover your floors, get yourself a large decorative rug or even a pretty runner for your stairs. Not only will these brighten up the space, they’ll also protect your landlord’s carpets and floors from spills and stains.

Whether you’re renting for a few years or just a few months, it’s easy to put your stamp on the place without leaving a permanent mark. Happy decorating!