Renter-Friendly Hacks to Make Your Rental Feel More Like Home

Easy Decorating Ideas That Won’t Risk Your Deposit

Moving out and having your own place is an exciting part of life. But when renting, it can be difficult to make a space feel personal. Strict contract stipulations prevent permanent decorating choices that leave a mark. 

But this doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your sense of style and home comforts. You just need to think a little more creatively. 

Here are some of the best renter-friendly hacks to make your house feel like a home. 

Before you begin 

Different landlords have different policies. Before you begin any kind of alterations, check with your landlord to obtain permission. This avoids fines, loss of deposit or eviction.

Some key considerations to take into account before starting to decorate are: 

• Review the tenancy agreement before beginning work. This will likely outline what the landlord must permit, such as painting or installing fixtures. 

• Getting written consent from the landlord to avoid future disputes. 

• Implementing non-permanent changes that are reversible once the tenancy ends. 

• If you obtain permission to paint the walls, you may be required to re-paint them the original colour when moving out. 

• Should any damage occur whilst decorating, tenants are responsible for repairing these damages. So don't attempt anything too ambitious without proper preparation. 

  
  

While some landlords will be happy for you to update the property to better its value, others may not want to risk possible damage. So it’s always a good idea to double-check before carrying out any work, no matter how minimal. 

Walls and surface customisation

Removable wallpaper

Peel-and-stick wallpaper or wall decals are great for adding some fun colour and patterns that can be easily removed at the end of the tenancy. If you don’t feel like risking it with sticky wallpaper, bed sheets, or tapestries are great for accent walls. 

Command hooks and strips 

Nails and blue-tack can damage walls. However, command hooks and strips let you decorate without leaving marks. Some heavyweight hooks can hold up to 10lbs, which are ideal for attaching picture ledges. 

Washi tape 

Washi tape is a low-tack alternative to more adhesive tapes that may rip wallpaper or peel paint off the walls. As well as being easy to peel off, washi tape also comes in a wide variety of colours, prints and patterns. 

Storage upgrades 

Over the door hooks

Hooks that rest over the door provide extra storage without damaging the wall. They’re perfect for hanging coats or towels. 

Hardware upgrades 

Swapping out the old cupboard handles for new ones can change the whole vibe of the piece. Just keep the old fixtures so you can replace them at the end of the tenancy. 

Vinyl covering 

Do you have stone countertops but want wood for your country kitchen of dreams? Vinyl covering is a great way to change the look of a fixture without damaging the original.  

Lighting and windows 

Plug-in / battery lighting 

Don’t underestimate the power of low-lighting. Harsh, overhead lighting can give a space a clinical feel, but a simple lamp adds some warmth back into your home. 

Window film 

Applying film to a window can add privacy or brighten your room with colourful light. They come in a variety of styles, so whatever your lighting needs, there’s a window film for that. 

Tension curtain rods 

If you want more privacy, blackout features, or a new style, tension rods are a simple way to change or install curtains - no drilling needed. 

Flooring 

Rugs 

It may seem obvious, but it works. Cover dull linoleum in the bathroom with a colourful bath mat. Or tame a crazy, patterned carpet with a large rug. 

Caster cups 

A good way to protect flooring from heavy objects is by using caster cups. Place them under the legs or wheels of heavy furniture, and they protect your floor from scratches and damage - keeping that deposit secured.  

Peel and stick tiles 

Adhesive tiles can be placed over old linoleum, tiles or stone flooring. These offer a solution for flooring that doesn’t suit your style, and they can be easily taken up when needed and regularly swapped out.  

Renting shouldn’t mean sacrificing personal style. Even as a tenant, you can transform a space with a bit of ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking; you can personalise a space by using temporary fixtures. Just take precautions to avoid big fines and follow your tenancy agreement.