8 practical and creative renter-friendly decor ideas

Make your rented property feel like home with our resourceful tips

With the number of rental households increasing, for many people life as a tenant is now the norm. And for longer rental periods too.

Because of this, some landlords are becoming more flexible when it comes to decorating a property, but interiors blogger and upcycler Medina Grillo – author of Home Sweet Rented Home – advises that you always check the details of your tenancy agreement first. ‘Most standard prviate renting contracts will have a clause prohibiting even hanging a picture,’ she says. ‘So it’s always advisable to have written proof of any allowances given for decorating.’ Medina suggests investing in vintage or upcycled items to add personality, and is also known for her resourceful and creative ideas: ‘I love the wallpaper floor in my entrance. It’s held up so well over the years and is such a great quick fix for renters looking to cover up an ugly floor.’

Follow our practical and stylish tips to learn how you can give your home personality and get around decorating restrictions without losing your deposit. ‘Whether you are a homeowner or you rent, everyone deserves to be in a home they love,’ says Medina.

Layer up with rugs

A rug is your best friend if you’ve found yourself with flooring that you’re less than happy with. Worn carpet that’s seen better days can be covered up, while cold tiling can be cosied up to keep your feet warm and reduce sound in an apartment. Let pattern and colour be your guide, from vintage Persian to bold geometric designs, but don’t forget practicality too. Opt for a hardwearing flat-weave rug like a kilim in heavy-tread areas such as hallways, or consider a washable option from Weaver Green for your kitchen, made from recycled plastic.

@theflamingoandthefox

Personalise with unique pieces

If your property feels like a blank canvas, personalised details will help give it soul and make it feel like home. This could simply be a matter of putting up framed family photos, arranging your special collection of vintage cameras on a shelf, or getting your favourite crockery out of a cupboard and displaying it on a kitchen dresser. Don’t be afraid to show your passions and make your home a reflection of you.

Add a feature wall

If your landlord won’t let you paint the walls, or you’re restricted to using ‘safe’ neutrals, you can always add a mural to create a feature wall. Check out the removable peel-and-stick murals from Wall Sauce. We love their chinoiserie designs which are easy to put up, long-lasting and won’t damage your walls when it’s time to move on.

@leaves.and.bones

Go green with plants

Take a leaf out of the biophilic trend, greening up your space. Houseplants are a thrifty way to instantly decorate a home if funds are limited – just visit any DIY store. They are also the ideal solution if your rental period is short and you don’t want to commit to furniture or accessories that may not work in your next home. And if you live in a flat with not even a balcony space and views of only bricks and mortar, then they provide an important connection to nature.

Mix leaf shape and habit for maximum impact: palms or monstera deliciosa for height and architectural shape; string of hearts (Ceropegia woodii) for delicate trailing shapes; and clusters of small succulents for a shelf display.

Choose a statement piece

Standout furniture or homeware can distract from features in your rented home that you’re not so keen on. Look to colour to add zest to a plain decor, such as a painted upcycled cocktail cabinet, or unique vintage pieces like a row of cinema seats. ‘Statement pieces work really well, as they draw the eye away from bits you don’t like,’ says interiors Instagrammer and stylist Kerry Lockwood. ‘When I was renting, the vintage workbench in my kitchen took attention away from the units, which I wouldn’t have chosen.’

Make the most of lighting

Don’t be discouraged when facing a room with just a bare light-bulb dangling from the ceiling. Adding a lampshade – or swapping out a plain one – can create a whole new vibe in a room, even becoming a focal point. Think fringed maximalist lampshade in the living room or vintage industrial pendant in the kitchen. If you’re not keen on overhead bulbs then embrace the mood-enhancing qualities of indirect lighting. Table and floor lamps add a glow to dark corners and offer flexibility too, so you can ‘dress’ a room with light.

Decorate with removable stickers

Perfect for children’s rooms – even if you’re not renting. Removable stickers allow a quick and easy refresh of your young one’s bedroom as they grow and their tastes change, without the upheaval and cost of redecorating. The cute range at Eliza Doodles Designs includes sloths, flying saucers and rainbows, all made with non-solvent inks on PVC-free vinyl.

Swap hanging pictures for leaning art

If you don’t want the hassle of repairing the walls after mounting pictures – particularly if your rental period is short – then think outside the box when it comes to displaying art. Follow the casual trend for propping pictures along ledges, on bookshelves or on chests of drawers to create a gallery effect. We love the fact that leaning art can allow you to easily change up your display, or to layer with frames of different heights, adding extras like ornaments or plants. You can prevent your pictures from slipping by attaching anti-slip drawer liner to the bottom of the frames.