Anyone living in a rented property will know how difficult it can be to add your personal touch to your home. That’s why we’ve put together some clever ways on how you can add a little charm to the home you’re renting – without the risk of losing you deposit and upsetting the landlord.
- Ask the landlord
Sometimes all you have to do is ask… So, chat to your landlord or the letting agent about what you’re allowed to update and how much you can change. Very often landlords are happy for their tenants to paint the property and varnish the doors – sometimes they are even open to paying for some of the materials.
Having said that though, it’s probably good to know that a landlord is not likely to change the kitchen cabinets or retile the bathroom. But asking if you’re allowed to hang picture frames, paint an accent wall and plant new shrubs in the garden are likely to get two thumbs up from your landlord.
- Hang picture frames
One of the easiest ways to bring in your personality into a home is to hang picture frames with personal photos and art works that resonates you. Make sure it’s done well, though, by using an accent wall in the lounge or dining room or even your bedroom as your gallery.
This only requires a few holes in the walls, which is easy to fix with some filler and paint when you move out. If you’re landlord isn’t too happy for you to drill holes in the walls, you can always use stick-on nails to hang your pictures – chat to your local DIY store for some solutions.
Another great aspect of hanging picture frames is that you can easily update them with new pictures and artworks, depending on your mood and/or current décor.
- Upgrade the light fixtures
It’s not uncommon for rental homes to come with stock-standard light fixtures – and truth be told, they can often be a sight for sore-eyes and/or can emit unflattering florescent light. While it’s impractical and can be costly to change every light, it’s worth looking at updating the light fixtures in the most-used rooms, like the living area and the main bedroom.
Be sure to choose a fixture that goes with your personal décor style and that emits good light (softer light does far more for the aesthetic of a room than those bright, florescent white light). Don’t forget to budget for a professional electrician to install the light if rewiring is required – this will ensure that no damage is done, which can cost you the security deposit. And remember to keep the original light in a safe place to put back in before you move out.
If you’re worried that changing out the light fixtures will damage the property and cost you the deposit, then rather spend your money on lamps – a few stylish lamps in a room, like the lounge, can do wonders to update the look and feel. And with so many options available nowadays, it’s an easier and cost-effective way to bring your own style into your rental property.
- Make small updates
As mentioned, your landlord is not likely to change the kitchen cabinets, knock out wall or retile the bathroom. That, however, doesn’t mean you can’t make small décor changes that will leave a big impact, such as changing door handles and cabinet knobs – it’s a great way to give a room an update also injecting your own personal style.
Don’t forget to make a list of all the items you switch out and to keep the originals in a safe place, so that you can restore it to its original state when moving. We even recommend chatting to your landlord before making these updates, as they might be happy for you to make these minor changes and leave them when you move out (and might even be open to paying for them).
- Dress your windows right
Transforming a space starts with the right window-dressing – it can help create a cosy-look and feel as well as help you put your own personal stamp on your rental property. While your landlord might not be open to you removing those vertical blinds that makes your home feel like a 1980s office space, it doesn’t mean that you have to use them as your primary window-dressing.
Instead, opt for curtains that come in a neutral shade that matches the rest of the room’s decor. If your lease allows and your rental comes with curtain rods installed, consider lifting them and installing them a bit higher from the window frame – this will create depth that will make the room feel bigger and more impressive (make sure you hang extra-long curtains). Please ensure that you get permission from the managing agent or your landlord to do this. Soon, your rental will truly feel like a home.
- Lay down a rug
The floors in most rental properties’ are generally tiled or even carpeted in a highly durable colours and materials – in other words, not flattering or complimentary to your personal décor style. Luckily this is easily fixable with a loose rug. Not only is this a great way to bring your own style and colouring into your home, but you can also take it with you when you move again. Plus, you need not worry that your deposit will be impacted at all by adding your own personal touch.
If you want to learn more about your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, then download our Tenant eBook here
Happy home-making!
