Easy design ideas for renters

Calling all tenants! We’re here to tell you there are ways and means to turn your rental space into a home, no matter your budget.

Nothing says home like a few personal touches, the right lighting and a comfy place to put your feet up. If you’re about to move into a new place or your current accommodation needs sprucing up, there are a few magical touches that will bring it to life.

A great relationship with your landlord or letting agent can make the difference between a house and a home too. If you’re keen to paint a wall or desperate for the carpet to be updated, starting the conversations early on will help. Don’t be afraid to ask, as some landlords are pleased to have tenants who are happy to update their rental property.

The right lighting

Switching up a tired lampshade or an overly bright bulb can help your room take on a new personality. Add a table lamp or 2 and you have a shortcut to mood lighting.

String lights are pretty and stylish but make sure you choose warm lights and go all-out, draping them across book shelves, on a mantlepiece and around door frames. That warm glow will be especially welcome during the winter.

Inject some greenery

Botanical prints, patterns, materials and textures can all help to give you a green fix. It’s all about connecting to nature and surrounding ourselves with elements from the natural world.

Adding a few house plants to your space is a great place to start. Choose hardy plants like peace lilies, snake plants and spider plants, or if you’re feeling bold, go for a full-size parlour palm in the corner of the room.

For an even more immersive experience, try playing sounds of waves lapping in the background.

Create a gallery wall

Though you can’t hammer nails into the walls unless you’ve asked your landlord’s permission, there are alternatives. Command hooks and strips are temporary picture-hanging solutions that don’t require drilling or screwing. Temporary adhesive hooks are also handy and easy to remove.

Think vintage Vogue magazine covers, a Mediterranean landscape, a favourite quote or your child’s expertly drawn self-portrait. You don't need to spend much on a print either, with websites like Etsy selling them from just a few pounds.

Look online for inspiration

Go to Pinterest and search ‘colour combinations’ for inspiration on pulling a room together, then decide on your own scheme and stick with it. You might love a burnt orange combined with royal blue, or a neutral palette using a pale grey with terracotta accents?

Try searching the hashtag ‘rental hacks’ on Instagram too for lots of great ideas on dressing up your space on a minimal budget and without upsetting the landlord.

Turn storage into an art form

A basic bookshelf can showcase a vase, scented candle or a framed photo, becoming a creative corner itself. It's best to keep things simple and pared down, as this will prevent your space looking cluttered.

A single shelf can be used to display all your carefully chosen photos, with matching frames making for a unified look. Bathroom and kitchen shelves work equally well for home art too.

Luxe-up your bedroom

To make your bedroom a true escape, keep the floor clear and try laying a large rug underneath your bed to create a centrepiece. Pile pillows and contrasting cushions at the head of the bed for maximum effect.

It's also worth buying storage for makeup and jewellery, but try to keep it stashed out of sight for safety, especially if you have any expensive items.

Hide what you hate

From unsightly kitchen cupboards to a grim table top or wallpaper you can’t bear to stare at, there’s now a solution to mask it all.

Peel-off tiles and wallpaper coverings can be used to spruce up your space without damaging walls or surfaces. Options include faux marble, metro tiles and even Disney borders for the kids’ rooms, so you can transform rooms quickly and easily.

Smells like home

Look out for candles, diffusers or room sprays containing bergamot, lavender, lemon and ylang ylang. Not only do they smell amazing, they are said to be mood-boosters too.

Look after what you love

Whether you’re living in a family home or renting a single room in a shared house, it’s always a good idea to take out contents insurance. The reassurance you’ll feel knowing your possessions are covered is well worth the investment.

Your landlord should have buildings insurance in place but it's a good idea to check with them or the letting agent to make sure.