Renting is usually part of the journey to owning your own home, or inbetween owning homes. It is usually part of life and comes with the good and the bad! I have walked into rental homes and wondered how I was going to make it feel a little more inviting, from bad lighting, no window coverings and stained carpet, I’ve had it all! Making your rental feel more like you is going to make living there easier, especially if you’re there for the long haul. It’s sometimes hard to find ways to update a tired rental without breaking the conditions of the rental contract (ie. not painting, changing fixtures etc). There is also no point spending too many of your hard earned dollars on updating a rental when you are only going to be there for a short time. The key is finding ways to update your space with items that you can take with you when you leave, or items that won’t cost the earth. Here are some easy ways to update your rental on a budget
Art
Art is going to make a huge difference when updating a rental property! It will add colour, interest and a personal touch to the space. There is no need to spend a lot on artwork either, get creative and paint a canvas yourself or look for cheap prints online that you can frame yourself. If you aren’t able to hang things on the walls then leaning artwork against the wall, like above, also looks great. Another option for artwork is creating a gallery wall, this is a great way to display photos and prints you might already have and wont cost a lot to put together. Have a look at our post on tips for creating a gallery wall here!
Garden
No matter how much space you have, adding a garden or greenery of some type is a great way to make a rental feel more homely. Use pots or wooden crates if you don’t have any garden beds and that way you can take it with you when you leave. Even a small herb garden indoors will liven up a home and is a practical way to add a touch of greenery. There are plenty of DIY tutorials on building small gardens that won’t break the bank and often potted herbs and plants ca be found at the supermarket.
Rugs
Investing in a rug is worth every penny when updating any room! Choose a colourful rug that gives the room warmth and interest or go for a neutral colour that you know will work in any home you end up in. Either way a new rug is the easiest way to update a tired rental and cover up any well worn carpet. Shop around for something affordable and durable and you cant go wrong! Even think about adding a smaller rug to the kitchen or bathroom for an unexpected update. It’s a great way to add a little of your style to a room.
Window Coverings
It is surprising how many rentals I have lived in that have been either devoid of any decent window coverings, or where they all need to be replaced. It is often overlooked, but nice curtains or blinds can really add to a rental. Adding soft curtains, like a linen or cotton, softens a room and adds texture to a space. These types of curtains are usually not expensive and can be found in an array of colours. I love breezy white curtains in a room to add a serene feel. Update the kitchen with a colourful fabric blind, this is a great way to add a little of your personality and there are plenty of fabric options that don’t cost the earth.
Have something to add? Tell us in the comments.