Just because you don’t own your home doesn’t mean it can’t feel like yours! Renting often comes with limitations (no painting the walls, no drilling holes, no major renovations… sigh), but that doesn’t have to mean you’re stuck with bare walls and bland spaces. With a few smart styling tricks and landlord-friendly updates, you can make your home feel warm, personal, and entirely you.
Here’s how to make your rented space feel like home, without risking your deposit!
1. Start with Soft Furnishings
In a rented home, textures really are your bestie; keep them close! Rugs, cushions, throws, and curtains can instantly add warmth and character to your space, and without the need for a single tool! No screwdrivers or drills here, no sir.
Layering different textures (think linen, boucle, or knits) helps your space feel more curated and cosy. If you’re not crazy about your flooring (or there’s a mysterious stain you’d rather not think about), use a rug to cover it up! If your rental comes with basic blinds or curtains you’re not in love with, consider hanging your own. Just don’t forget to keep the originals safe until the day you move out!
2. Lean into Freestanding Furniture
When you can’t make permanent changes to your space, your furniture becomes the main character. If you’re lucky enough to love the furniture that came with your rented accomodation, then scroll on. If you’re… not so enamoured with the décor (or there’s none to begin with!), keep on reading. Your best bet is to choose pieces that are functional, but still full of personality! Think about statement armchairs, sideboards with a bit of texture (The Oki is a great choice!), or a stylish bed frame with a tall headboard.
A few well-chosen furniture pieces can set the tone for the whole space, without you having to replace everything at once. Oh, and the best part? You can bring them all with you when you move!
Our Tip: Use tall bookcases, open shelving units, or decorative screens to create room dividers or add a bit of visual interest to blank walls, no mounting required!
3. Use Removable Solutions (They’ve Come a Long Way, Trust Me!)
Removable décor has really come a long way in recent years, if Instagram Reels comment sections are to be trusted. Think peel-and-stick wallpaper, temporary splashback tiles, or even renter-safe moulding. These options let you add personality to your walls, kitchen, or bathroom, withoiut any real fuss to get them up and then remove them when your lease is up!
Removable hooks and picture strips are also perfect for hanging up things like artwork, mirrors, or other little pieces you might want to display. Make sure to check the details of your contract and the weight limits (and maybe conduct a sneaky test in an inconspicuous spot) before you go wild hanging things up!
4. Style with Lighting
Most rentals come with those harsh ceiling lights that don’t exactly scream cosy home. Add your own personality and mood with freestanding or plug-in lighting. Table and floor lamps can completely transform the atmosphere of a room. Go for warm-toned bulbs and interesting lampsades to soften the space and make it feel more intentional.
Fairy lights or LED strips can also work wonders to defeat the evil of the soulless big light.
5. Decorate with Art and Mirrors
Don’t underestimate the impact of art, even when you can’t hammer nails into the walls to your heart’s content. Lean framed pieces of art on your mantel or shelves, or try the stick on hooks for lighter, smaller pieces. Mirrors are another great addition for renters. They can bounce light around and make smaller rooms feel bigger and brighter. A large floor mirror, like the Pippa, can instantly elevate the look and feel of your space.
6. Add Personality with Accesories
It really is the little things that make a home feel lived-in; books on the coffee table, candles scattered around different rooms, plants and vases dotted around too. These are all the hallmarks of a home, not just a ‘house’, and really go a long way into making a space feel uniquely yours.
Make It Work for You
One important thing to have in mind while decorating your rented space is thinking beyond the looks and making sure it works for you and your routines. Prioritise a mini home office, a reading nook, a cosy kitchen to cook in; whatever makes it home for you.
Though a rental might come with (possibly strange and irrational) rules, that doesn’t mean it can’t feel like home. With thoughtful styling and creative choices, you can transform the most temporary space into somewhere you’ll be delighted to come to each day.