15 Ways to Make a Rental Feel Like Home

I’m often asked for ways to help make a rental feel like a home. The biggest piece of advice I can give is to decorate it, as if it were. Everyone’s situation is different. Perhaps you feel like you’ve missed the boat in purchasing your own home. I know so many people like this in Sydney and Auckland where the cost of owning your own home is quite literally insane and unless you purchased a while ago or you earn a really good income, home ownership feels out of reach. Perhaps you’re starting out in the world, or like me you’ve been thrown back into the rental game after moving to a different city as an expat.

When we agreed to move for Guillaume’s work, a big concern for me was renting again. I had visions of my early rental days of miss-matched furniture, bad taste pendant lights and not a single frame on the wall. I didn’t want to live like that again and I don’t. Okay, there are wall shelves that I would love to screw to the wall right now which I can’t do, although perhaps I could if I asked the landlord permission, but generally I’m surrounded by things I love and that are my taste, which creates a happy home for my family.

This may not apply apply to every country. I do know that a lot of European countries have much more relaxed rules for renters. This side of the world certainly isn’t the case.

Here are 15 ways to make a rental feel like a home, that I’ve mostly applied:

1. When you can, invest in quality furniture and items. Why wait until you have your home? Not only does it make sense for sustainability but you’re also building your collection so that when you do finally purchase, you aren’t tempted to have a catalogue home.

2. Change the light fittings. This is probably my best trick I can give you and is often overlooked. Pendant lights are usually easy to change yourself and are a great way to bring your own style into a room. Just make sure you store the originals in a dry, safe place to put back when you leave.

3. Floor and table lamps are a must for finishing off a room and creating that perfect ambience.

4. Rugs are a great way to cover ugly carpet but also to define a space.

5. A coat of paint. Don’t be afraid to ask your landlord if you can paint a room or home yourself. Quite often, if the current paintjob is looking tired, they will be more than happy for you to do it yourself (if you promise to do a good job). Prepare to shoulder the cost, or they may even offer to chip in and purchase the paint.

6. Removable wallpaper is a great option for feature walls.

7. Change the curtains or blinds. You don’t have to spend a fortune, Ikea have great options. Remember to keep the originals safe and dry to put back on departure.

8. Don’t afraid to hang a lot of your artwork. 3M is a great way to be able to hang without adding more hooks in the walls, just make sure they are within the weight range as stated in the instructions.

9. Create a photo feature wall only stick it with washi tape or bluetac for easy removal.

10. If you lack in linen press or wardrobe space, use an old armoire or tallboy to stack your belongings.

11. If you’re on the hunt for a new sofa, Module lounges are great to reconfigure in different rooms. Our one was the best investment for that alone!

12. Bookshelves are perfect to display not only books, but objects collected over the years and bring a lot of personality to a space.

13. Plants, plants and more plants! On the floor, on the table, on the shelf, hanging from windows (discrete nail above the window pane) and on the windowsill.

14. If you have a sunny deck or garden, create a container vegie garden. I always dreamt of having my own veggie patch and thought I had to wait to be in my own home again. Last year we enjoyed abundant crops of tomatoes, lettuce, rocket and lemons, all from pots!

15. Treat yourself to flowers every week. They don’t have to be expensive; a simple bunch from the supermarket can do the job beautifully. Nothing says, home more than fresh flowers.

Do you have any tips for renters to create a real home?

Mel xx