There’s no doubt that living in a rental comes with its own perks and benefits. However, there’s one common issue that many renters face, and that is living in a place that feels bland, impersonal, and lacklustre. Our homes should be a reflection of ourselves, our interests, and our values.
Therefore, it’s completely understandable that you’d want to change a thing or two and make your rental house or a condo feel more homely and personal. If you’re feeling stuck with an apartment or condo you don’t love, here are five big-impact and low-risk personalizing tricks for beautifying your living space as a renter.
Transform the walls with peelable wallpaper and peel-and-stick tiles
One of the best ways to transform the look of your space without breaking the bank or risking your deposit is to make use of peelable wallpaper. Once applied, the wallpaper will protect the wall from dirt, scuff, and damage, so there will be no need to fix anything when the time comes to move out. Because they’re so easy to install and remove, you can be as bold or colourful as you want with your choices. You can use wallpaper to cover all the walls or create a feature wall.
As for inexpensive kitchen and bathroom wall updates, peel-and-stick tiles are the way to go. They’re ideal for covering up those dated kitchen and bathroom tiles, which is perfect if you’re looking to style up an older apartment.
Add personality to your space with small yet effective DIY projects
Nothing infuses your rental with personality and character quite like home decor that you’ve made on your own. DIY projects are the ideal way to spruce up your rental if you’ve got some time on your hands, and they’re a practical solution if you’re working with a really tight budget.
Breathe new life into your dining chairs by reupholstering them, make a DIY headboard to style up your bedroom, or re-cover your living room sofa in an instant by using a cover in one of the trendiest colors and designs. When it comes to DIY makeovers, the options are pretty much endless.
Add character to your floors by layering your rugs
Speaking of covering up unappealing surfaces, disguising old and worn out floors is another challenge many renters have to combat. If your rental doesn’t exactly boast the best floors or has an old carpet you’d gladly get rid of, an easy and effective solution would be to layer your rugs.
If you’re a fan of all things boho, you may have heard of this styling tip. Something as simple as adding some beautiful rugs can be a great way to embrace the free-spirited style and bring in some cozy, touchable texture. You can use it to add pattern to a neutral foundation, cover up an unappealing carpet, or create a cozy and comfy conversation area.
One thing’s for certain – by bringing in a rug or two, you’ll infuse the room with a sense of warmth and create a unique look that will add character to your rental.
Jazz up your living space with effective lighting
It’s no secret that good lighting can make a tremendous difference in the way a room looks and feels. Like most rental properties, your rental may also sport a single ceiling light in each of the rooms. If you want your rental to look more stylish and vibrant, you’re going to need more than that.
A simple way to liven things up a bit is to introduce several other lighting sources. This is where you can get really creative, and it won’t break the bank, either. Use string lights to bring a festive sparkle to your rental, rely on LED candles to give it a spa-like feel, and add a table or floor lamp to create a welcoming ambiance. When the time comes to move out of your rental, you can simply pack them up and take them with you.
Create a more spacious, urban look with open shelving
When we think of updating our living spaces, we usually think of introducing new things or replacing old ones. But sometimes, all you need to do is remove something in order to make it feel fresh and new. Less can sometimes be more, and this is certainly true when it comes to open shelving.
If you’re feeling like your small kitchen could use an update as well, consider removing kitchen cabinet doors and storing them someplace safe until you’re ready to move. Not only is introducing open shelving a great way to use minimalism in home decor but it also opens up the space and makes it appear larger. Another way to create the illusion of space is to add a mirror or two – just make sure to get freestanding or floor mirrors. That way, you’ll manage to boost the amount of natural light coming in without making any holes in the wall.
Swap out the hardware
This is another easy swap that will help you transform both the kitchen and the bathroom of your rental and give them a fresh new look. From faucets to cabinets to door handles, rentals often come with builder-grade hardware which can make these two rooms pretty outdated. On the other hand, by swapping out the outdated hardware, you can bring a more modern vibe to your rental kitchen and bathroom, especially if you go for a contrasting finish. This type of upgrade is quite inexpensive when you consider the amazing results it can help you achieve. Just make sure to inform your landlord before making any changes and check if they’re on board with this small, yet effective upgrade.
Wrapping up
Updating your rental space doesn’t necessarily require time-intensive, overly-expensive upgrades. Sometimes, even the smallest changes go a long way in making a big impact. The best part? You can give your rental a makeover without leaving a trace, which is a win-win situation for both renters and landlords. Use the renter-friendly tricks listed above as the inspiration for your upcoming project and you’ll manage to change the look of your rental without risking your deposit.
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