While landlords can attract and retain tenants with updated, modern, and well-maintained homes, these properties tend to be as basic and minimal as possible, in order to appeal to a wider audience. For that reason, many tenants wish to add a personal touch to their rented homes, but they often worry about breaking the usually strict lease and losing their deposit. In case you want to beautify your rental and make it more suited to your personal taste as well, here are some lease-friendly ways you can decorate your space without upsetting your landlord:
Introduce some color to the walls
Whenever we consider redecorating a space, painting the walls is often the first thing that comes to mind, as an easy way to freshen up the room and make it more suitable to our preferences. But whether you are renting an apartment short-term or even renting to own a house, chances are slim your landlord will allow you to repaint your rental.
Thankfully, there are still some creative ways you could introduce some color and interest to the walls, without repainting or otherwise damaging the surface. For instance, you could choose temporary peel-off wallpaper to freshen the room up with an effective print, or even wall stickers that are simple to remove while still adding a wonderful personal touch.
Don’t give up on beautiful art
Art is an essential aspect in any space, providing a wonderful focal point in any room, while giving us the opportunity to effortlessly personalize our rentals. So, if you’re allowed to make a couple of holes in the walls, feel free to decorate with some framed prints and art pieces that resonate with you the most.
If you aren’t allowed to use nails, however, you can always utilize other methods such as command strips to hang your pictures without damaging the walls. Alternatively, you could also decide to simply prop up the art against the wall by placing it on shelves or furniture pieces, for a more modern and unique take on this classic decor aspect.
Add warmth and texture with rugs
The flooring in most rental properties is usually practical and durable, but it’s rarely aesthetically pleasing as well. Thankfully, this issue can easily be fixed just by choosing a few nice area rugs that will effortlessly add more warmth, texture, and dimension to any room, while pulling the entire decor together.
When selecting rugs for your rental, however, it’s recommended to opt for ones in neutral colors and minimal patterns, such as natural Miss Amara rugs that are as well-made and long-lasting as they are beautiful. That way, you will have wonderful rugs that will last you for years to come, while also perfectly complementing any other space you might move into in the future.
Play around with lighting options
Lighting is an incredibly important aspect of any interior, not only when it comes to practicality, but also for creating the right atmosphere in the space. For instance, natural light can help to regulate your mood and improve your focus, which is why it might be a good idea to remove any unseemly window coverings if possible, in an effort to easily merge your indoor and outdoor spaces.
In case natural light isn’t a luxury you have in your rental, you can always improve the ambiance of your space by incorporating attractive desk lamps, soft floor lamps, pretty fairy lights, or even by lighting some scented candles around the room.
Opt for impactful accessories
Although often overlooked, accessories are truly ideal for adding interest, layers, and dimension to an interior, without any risk of potentially damaging a rental. For example, decorative pillows are perfect for incorporating some print and color into your space, while throw blankets can instantly add warmth and texture to any room.
Accessories also give you the opportunity to play around with different materials and finishes, making for a more dynamic space overall, whether that means dressing up your coffee table with glass vases and fresh flowers, decorating your shelves with books and wicker baskets, or even choosing clay pots for your houseplants.
Wrapping up
Personalizing a rental is essential for making you feel more comfortable and relaxed in your new space, and these lease-friendly decor ideas will allow you to beautify your rental home in an impactful way, without worrying about the deposit or upsetting your landlord.
About the author: Mike Johnston is an avid blogging enthusiast and experienced freelance writer. He’s a regular contributor to numerous online publications where he writes about real estate, construction, home improvement, and interior design.