It can be difficult to know how to make a rented home your own when most landlords don’t allow their tenants to make any major changes in a property.
 
While this might mean you’re stuck with dull walls or an unpleasant carpet, there are still plenty of ways you can make the space your own! Here are a few ideas to get you feeling at home in your new digs.

Renting Unfurnished

If you can afford to, rent unfurnished. This allows you to personalise the property and live with furniture that matches your tastes. 

Avoid cheap or disposable pieces of furniture because they can often feel temporary. Instead, you might prefer to invest in quality pieces that will last for years. A snug velvet sofa or a vintage chesterfield could help you feel more comfortable in your living room.

Whatever your style, choose furniture that matches your personality rather than the property, that way you can take it with you if you choose to move too. 

If it’s a matter of budget, try browsing charity shops and vintage stores. Second-hand items can still be great quality and have plenty of life left in them – plus, you might find something unique! 

Renting Furnished/Part-Furnished

If your rental comes furnished, try rearranging the furniture in a way that suits your lifestyle, maybe you want your sofa closer to the window or would prefer your bed on the other side of the room. Whatever it is, take the time to make the space your own. 

If the property comes part furnished you could add something smaller of your own like a footstool or coffee table. Don’t worry too much about matching them to the landlord’s décor either. Just pick furniture that makes you happy, that way your home will feel comfortable and cosy! 

Make Use Of Outdoor Space 

If you have a balcony, garden or patio then it’s worth sprucing it up so it’s somewhere you enjoy spending time. Some simple outdoor seating and an array of colourful plants could turn a dingy space into a botanical haven. Hanging plants are particularly great if you’re short on space too!

Customise The Walls

Add some excitement to boring walls by creating your own art gallery. 

Hanging wall art is a great way to add some colour and homey vibes to a long drab hallway or impersonal living space. Remember to check with your landlord before you put anything up though!

Replace Light Fixtures

Replacing a few of the lampshades can instantly change the feel of a home, it’s fairly inexpensive too. There are plenty of colourful styles and unusual shapes to choose from – or you could choose to ditch the shades all together! Instead, opt for a bohemian look and accessorise your home with a Soho 3 Pendant Light, it would look great above a dining table too. 

Mirrors

Not only is it practical, but a large wall mirror is a stylish accessory that can become the focal point of any room! It’ll also help give the illusion of space so that your home feels bigger than it is. 

Soft Furnishings

For the finishing touch, add a variety of colourful soft furnishing to your home.

Treat yourself a soft sheepskin rug for your bedroom so it’s the first thing your feet touch in the morning. Or scatter sumptuous velvet cushions and cosy knitted cushions on your sofa and chairs for the ultimate at-home feeling. 

Pick colours that complement each other, you could even pair your cushions with matching curtains to tie the look together.

For more interior design tips and tricks, browse our inspiration page.