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There’s a limit to what you can do to change a rental property, assuming you want your deposit back at the end of the tenancy. Any changes you make in a rented house need to be temporary, or else you must seek explicit permission from the landlord. Although landlords are legally responsible for most repairs they don’t usually have to make improvements unless they’re related to health and safety; so if the place is perfect but the decor is a bit drab, they aren’t obligated to do anything.
Here are some of the ways you can make your rented house a home without risking your deposit.
Putting your own stamp on a rental property
Since moving into my new rented house in December I’ve tried really hard to put my stamp on it, which is tricky to achieve as I’m limited in the ways I can change it around; I can of course add my own furniture, soft furnishings etc, but I’m stuck with the boring magnolia walls and the dodgy blue carpet. These are some of the ways I’ve tried to make my house more like home.
Change up the fixtures and fittings
Fixtures and fittings aren’t necessarily permanent.
If you don’t like the bedroom wardrobes or kitchen then changing the handles on the cupboards could make a huge difference; and you can swap them back and take them with you when you leave.
You could even consider wrapping the kitchen units if the colour is really not to your own taste, although this is an expensive and labour intensive job so only something to undertake if you’re sure you’re going to be staying put for a while.
Light fittings (like these from John Lewis) could also be changed, if you take care when removing the original fittings.
Don’t forget that if you do temporarily switch things up then firstly store anything you remove in a safe place, and take plenty of pictures of how it looked before so that you are able to put things back exactly as they were at the end of your tenancy.
House plants
A fairly dull, magnolia-painted house can be instantly made so much more interesting and lively with colourful plant pots filled with different house plants, flowers and even herbs. Plants are relaxing and grounding too. I have houseplants in every space I can cram them into!
Living in an apartment complex with a balcony area and want to make the most of the outdoor space? Artificial grass rolls have becoming increasingly popular over the past couple of years throughout the pandemic, and can be a creative way to emulate a natural garden with the limited options you have available.
Cover up the flooring
Whatever kind of flooring you have in rented accommodation, you’re basically stuck with.
Carpets in rented houses are usually pretty boring, and often dark so that stains made by tenants won’t be so obvious. Mine is dark blue and shows up every blinking crumb – there’s no way I’d choose it myself.
Large rugs can cover up the grimmest of flooring, it also protects against staining the carpet so you won’t end up paying if your kids happen to spill.
Colourful furnishings
Most rented accommodation is neutral, inoffensive and – in a word – boring. If the house is unfurnished then you can cheer it up by adding colourful soft furnishings like sofas and curtains.
If you have to put up with the furniture that’s there already, then throws and jazzy cushions can brighten up a room instantly. I have a slight obsession with mustard cushions for my huge sofa!
Display photos
Hanging colourful pictures, photographs or art canvases is one way to make a space really feel like your own.
If there isn’t a picture rail, ask your landlord if you can hang pictures or prints in frames; many will agree as long as the walls are repaired before you leave the property.
If they are adamant they do not want holes in the walls, command strips are an option but be aware that they might take the paint off if they’ve been up for some time.
Alternatively, you can display photographs, prints or artwork on shelving; ladder shelving is less enclosing in small spaces and can also be used to display books, ornaments or plants.
I have dull IKEA Kallax, but I do love the look of this kind of shelving (Labirent mustard bookcase).
Add more lighting
If the space is a little dingy, or maybe the lighting is a little strong giving the space a clinical feel, then add a lamp or two in the corner of the room for additional soft lighting and a bit of personality.
A console table underneath is a nice touch too for a book or two, maybe some pictures or a bowl of fruit you can leave to slowly rot when everyone decides they hate fruit.
Remember!
If you’re unsure whether you’re permitted to make particular changes to your home, check the terms of your tenancy agreement or ask your landlord directly.