How to Decorate Your Home When You Rent

Maybe it isn’t going to be your forever home, but you can still turn your rental into a place you love to spend time in. Sure, leasing agreements can make it a bit difficult to decorate a rental, but don’t worry – there are plenty of non-permanent ways to spruce the place up (without losing your security deposit).

 1. A Few Things to Keep in Mind

Before you make any alterations to the house that could get you in trouble, talk to your landlord about it. Getting his or her written approval can save you a lot of hassle when it’s time to move out, and it’s much better to be a bit annoying than to inadvertently break your contract and have to pay for it later.

For the most part, familiarizing yourself with your rental agreement’s policies will give you a good idea of what you can and can’t do while decorating your rental. In most cases, you’ll be held responsible for any damages that you (or your furry friends) cause. That can include painting walls, hanging mirrors and pictures with nails, or taking on DIY repairs. Always play it safe by getting in touch with your landlord before you start any risky projects, and make sure you get the thumbs-up in writing.

2. Non-Permeant Ways to Decorate a Rental

Don’t let all of that intimidate you – there are plenty of ways to decorate a rental without voiding your agreement. Updating the rental’s lighting is a good place to start. Working on fixtures and overhead lights might not be worth a big investment since you can’t take those with you, but if you can find some great floor and table lamps then stock up on them. These will fill your rental with bright white light, and you can take them to your next place when the time comes to move.

You can also get new window coverings. Those dingy curtains and blinds aren’t going to make you feel at home! Investing in some nice drapes, blinds, or curtains that fit your style is a small change that makes a big difference. It’s a great nonpermanent way to decorate a rental, and it can really tie your rooms together.

Painting the walls is a more involved way to decorate a rental, but if you find just the right colors, it can really make the space feel like home. Better yet, if you stick to neutral colors, you might not even have to re-paint them when it’s time to go. Your landlord might like it more after you’re done with it! If painting seems a bit too pricey or permanent then look into wall decorations like artwork, decals, and stick-on wallpaper. Just make sure you consult your agreement to figure out if hanging is allowed. If not, there are plenty of other options to fill up those blank walls, just get creative!

3. Shop with the Future in Mind

Sure, being thrifty is important, but you get what you pay for. Sometimes putting down a bit more money for furniture that will last multiple moves is the most cost-effective solution, so keep an eye out for pieces that are both durable and stylish. Affordable, moving-friendly furnishings are perfect for decorating a rental, and shopping with the future in mind will save you money in the long run.

On that note, you should also pay attention to the style of your furniture. You don’t know where you’ll end up next, so make sure you aren’t shopping for pieces that only match your current rental. Think of a few different wall colors and floor materials as you search for furniture and make it a point to find pieces that will look great no matter where you put them! Better yet, look for pieces that have versatile functionality. A coffee table is great, but a coffee table that doubles as a storage container is even better! The same goes for modular sofas that can be rearranged to accommodate different room layouts.