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The Ultimate Guide To Decorating For Tenants

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If you rent your own home, you’ll understand how frustrating it is not being able to do whatever you like — whenever you like, particularly when it comes to decorating for tenants. When someone else owns your home, you have to live by their rules, and it’s the landlord that essentially forks out any money for renovations.

That said, it doesn’t mean you don’t have options as a renter. If you do love the idea of giving your home a makeover, but you can’t start knocking down walls — here are a few great suggestions that won’t break your lease terms:

Windows

Blinds, shutters, and curtains are a great way to put your personal stamp on a rental property. If there is any drilling required, you will need permission. For a higher-value addition, such as blinds or shutters, you may be able to convince your landlord to split the cost. Failing that, curtains and blinds will do a great job of transforming a space — and you can choose from a huge range of designs to suit the season. Just remember, if you take down old curtains make sure you keep them. You’ll need to put them back up before you move house.

Outside In

Injecting a bit of greenery into your rental space can provide an instant lift. There are plenty of options to choose from, but you might as well seek out plants that improve indoor air quality, as well as adding pops of colour.

There is plenty of data that suggests that indoor plants can relieve stress and improve overall mental health. Don’t limit your houseplants to your living room, you can include succulents in the bathroom and kitchen. Opt for the likes of lavender and jasmine for the bedrooms, both considered great for improved sleep and relaxation.

Storage

Without adequate storage, you have a cluttered home on your hands. You don’t need to live with that, you can use smart storage to make a statement. A large television cabinet can help you keep your living room in order, as can a coffee table that has storage space under the lid or drawers in the sides. Use bookshelves to give you bonus storage and décor space.

Decor

When it comes to decorating the walls, you may feel limited. You generally aren’t allowed to put holes in the wall or even paint. That doesn’t mean you don’t have options. Vinyl stickers are easy to stick on and peel off and come in such a wide variety of designs and colours, you’re sure to find something that meets your aesthetic preferences.

You will also find peel and stick removable wallpaper, which means you can create a feature wall in your bedroom or living area. It looks like the real deal, but you can do it yourself and remove it without leaving any damage.

The decor isn’t all about the walls, though you can still hang art with self-adhesive hooks. Your accessories can also tell the story. You can decorate the mantel, or prop a ladder against the wall and use it to display various art or items of interest. Be creative.

Lighting

Lighting fixtures are a dead giveaway as to when a property was last updated. They tend to age quickly and terribly. You might not be able to change all of the lighting fixtures, but you have room to install shades where there are pendants and bare bulbs. You can tie those new shades into your table and floor lighting to pull the room together and give it the same feeling you would in a home you own.

Lighting is a great way to infuse a home with character and your personality too. While you’re at it, upgrade the bulbs to save yourself some money on your utility bills. Again, keep hold of any pendants or shades you remove as you will need to replace them before you go.

When renting, you might feel limited in the changes you can make, but there is plenty you can do to make a living space your own. Just remember to check the terms of your lease agreement and where necessary, ensure you secure permission from your landlord for any major changes you have in mind.