Some reversible ways to add your own touches to a rented home
It can be hard to put your own ‘flair’ and personal touches into a rented home when banging in nails, digging up the carpet and painting walls is a no-go!
While these and other restrictions can prevent you from injecting your own sense of style, there are reversible ways that you can make sure your home has as much ‘you’ look and feel as possible.
First things first; freshen up
Ideally the previous tenants will have done a thorough job and left you with a clean sparkling home to move in to, but it’s important you check it’s up to your cleanliness standards. There’s no harm in checking cupboards and drawers to ensure they’re thoroughly clean before putting things away. Smells do find their way into a home over the years, so making sure any odours are neutralised is a good idea. One way to do this is by sprinkling baking soda over the carpet before vacuuming, and making a neutralising spray from equal parts water and white vinegar.
Don’t underestimate the power of statement pieces of furniture
Two or three key pieces of statement furniture can really stamp your own style on a home. A unique dining table setting, an iconic entrance way light stand, a brightly patterned chair, can all make a house ‘your home’.
Consider colour, shape and texture. Even throw pillows can help inject your personal flair without costing the earth.
Lean your artwork
Your rental agreement may frown on nails. So leaning your artwork against walls can answer this challenge as well as being a great way to display it or even hide imperfections – as well as making it much easier to move it from one place to another should you feel the urge to rearrange your décor at any stage or move house.
Light shades
Lighting and lamp shades can make a huge difference to the ambience and feel of a space. Add or change existing bulbs with a unique lampshade and consider table lamps and uplights in rooms to layer the lighting effect.
Texture and colour
Add some life by including indoor plants, and wooden textures or colours. A leafy plant is guaranteed to give colour and life, and wooden pieces of furniture like coffee tables will provide a rustic warmth.
Freshen up window dressings
You’ll need to check what your lease allows, but changing from basic blinds to beautiful drapes, perhaps even with a modern bold print, can totally freshen up the look of your home.
Your choice of rug
Rentals sometimes don’t have the kind of flooring coverings you would normally choose for yourself. By adding a rug or two, either laid on top of carpet or undesirable areas, you can distract the eye and add distinct colours and textures at the same time.