Decorating hacks for tenants

Posted on: Tuesday, August 27, 2024

If you are ready to make your new rented property feel like home, but feel you lack freedom when it comes to styling your space, check out our top tips to update your home without compromising your tenancy agreement:

DIY wall art

Not able to wallpaper your home? Not only is wall art an affordable way to add personality, colour and style to a room, but you can also change the colour scheme as often as you want. There are a range of designs, styles and prints available online. Alternatively, you could even create some artwork yourself by painting, sketching or printing your own personal photography.

Be brave and create a gallery wall. Lay your artwork on the floor to get an idea of the arrangement you want.

Always check with your landlord before nailing into a wall. If they are reluctant for you to do so, opt for hanging strips instead as they will be much more effective than blue tack and won't leave any permanent marks.

Mood lighting

Experimenting with lighting can alter the ambience of any room. If you have any old fairy lights hanging about, display them across your headboard, style them in empty mason jars, or use them to decorate a shelving unit.

Candles are also a great way to revamp any room; they are cost-effective, complement homewares and smell fantastic. You may find that simply lighting a candle can instantly relax you and reduce stress. If candles aren't for you, consider diffusers or essential oil room spray instead.

If you have outside space such as a patio or balcony, consider outdoor lights to enhance the space.

Colourful crockery

Investing in a vibrant crockery or glassware collection can transform mealtime, and if you are unable to choose your kitchen decor, this is a great way to accessorize the room to suit your style.

If you're looking to get creative, you could purchase your own paint kit to decorate plain crockery yourself.

Why store your stylish pots, pans and utensils in a cabinet when you can show them off? Use a hanging rack to display your favourite cookware.

Trendy textiles

Rugs breathe necessary warmth into any room, softening the environment and pulling your colour scheme together. Similarly, small changes like swapping the curtains or adding cushions and throws to a space will instantly personalise it. 

Mirrors

A well-places mirror can be a powerful asset to any room. Mirrors are known for making a space seem larger and more open, but can also be used to distribute light, emphasize colour or artwork on adjacent walls, and even liven up rooms that don't have windows.

Tip: If your landlord is not happy with nails being places into walls, freestanding mirrors work just as well.

Bathroom hacks

If your bathroom is looking a little worn, a new shower curtain, bathmat and fresh towels can immediately spruce up the space. Pick a fun colour scheme to add more vibrancy to the room, and consider storage baskets for your toiletries. 

Houseplants

House plants can not only be used to decorate any room, but also come with health benefits by cleaning the air and can boost healing.

For a low maintenance option, choose succulents as they require less care and less frequent watering. Spider plants can help with poor air quality within a home, and don't require lots of sun, whereas lavender can reduce stress and can aid a better night's sleep. Snake plants remove toxins from the air, and rosemary can help improve concentration and memory.

Fresh paint

If your walls are looking grubby, particularly around light switches and plugs, ask your landlord if you can repaint the rooms. Most landlords won't mind, especially if the paint is a neutral shade like white or cream. This will instantly transform the room, making it appear cleaner and sharper, and will give you a project to spend your weekend on.

If your landlord is happy for you to paint your walls as you please, get creative and paint a feature wall to make the room really pop.

Contact us

We have plenty of virtual solutions to view properties during lockdown, so if you are looking to move home, contact your local Guild Member to find your dream home.