Tips to Make Your Rented Property Feel Like Home


Making a rented house feel like a home can feel like a challenging task. Most tenancy agreements will have standard clauses that state that the property can not be decorated or altered in any way.

As most tenants are renting long term, it’s important that your rented house feels like home.

So how exactly can you put a stamp on your new home?

Well during the month of December we started to help gives tenants a bit of inspiration in this area. On our social media outlets, we have posted various inspiring images of interiors that have been customised by adding ornaments, plants, towels, colourful furniture etc. Using different materials and textures can really make a huge difference to a living space.

Why not inject some of your personality with a bright splash of colour? Ok it may not be advisable to paint if you do not have express permission to do so, but once again you can always add a splash of colour with large paintings, furniture and ornaments. And you don’t even have to worry about leaving holes in the walls. Most frames can be leant against a wall or unit. Pictures can be hung with picture mounting strips that can easily be removed without residue. We love a gallery wall! It doesn’t have to be expensive either. There are some really reasonable priced companies like desenio.co.uk. Being more affordable you can change the prints when you get tired of them to switch things up a bit.

Speaking of walls, you can get some amazing wall decals for children’s rooms or even self-adhesive wallpaper that can be easily applied and peeled off. They’re a bit like a sticky label, with no residue once removed. Just make sure you patch test as different brands may have a stronger adhesive.

What about lighting? It’s not just about those standard ceiling fittings. Add some warmth with a floor standing or table lamps. If a room is naturally dark, try using mirrors to reflect the light around the room, these can be floor standing to avoid marking the walls.

Does the flooring need a facelift? Why not add more texture with a nice rug to freshen up the room? They can also act as a protection to the carpets, in case of any accidental spillages helping to protect your deposit. This is especially good tip for children’s or teenagers’ rooms where little marks and stains can be unavoidable.

Low on storage? A good old visit to your local Ikea has some wonderful and reasonably priced units that you can customise with different storage basket. If you don’t want to buy new you could also look on places like Facebook marketplace, or local second hand furniture or charity shops, where you can grab a good deal for many items.

There are so many ways to upcycle old furniture to make it like new. Searching through Instagram or Pinterest you can find so many inspiring accounts with great ideas.

As with all things we strongly advise you to read your tenancy agreement thoroughly to know what you are or are not permitted to do. Any damage to the property or permanent changes may have an impact on your deposit at the end of the tenancy. If in doubt always ask the Landlord or the agent and always get it in writing!

Claire Drake