How to add personality to your rented home

WITHOUT COMPROMISING YOURDEPOSIT

With renting comes some great advantages and disadvantages – one being that you may not have as much flexibility in turning the property into your home. Many landlords, understandably, do not allow tenants to paint, change and even install anything into the property, including shelving and even pictures. These changes can sometimes cause damage and be at the cost of a landlord to put straight, compromising that pretty large deposit you have. But that doesn’t mean you are completely restricted on incorporating style and personality. There are lots of ways you can input your interior trends and let it shine through your rented home.

So where do you start?

First things first, establish what you are and aren’t allowed to do. Get in touch with your letting agent and ask the question. It’s great to understand what your landlord is okay with you altering or doing before you start any changes. Some landlords can be more flexible than others, unfortunately there isn’t a rule for all.

I’m not allowed to paint?

Okay, no panic. Of course, the easiest way to incorporate colour into your home is through wall paint. Although there are plenty of other ways to create an overall colour scheme into your rented home.

Wall hangings

Wall hangings of any type are a great way to add pattern or colour to bland and boring walls. Using command strips or adhesive hooks, it’s never been easier or deposit friendly to display large wall hangings and pictures in a rented property. Popular home stores like Ikea offer lots of different fabrics in a variety of patterns and colours, made to measure. Pretty inexpensive too, wall hangings are a great alternative to inject pattern and colour when paint or wallpaper usually would.

Soft furnishings

Whether you could paint or not, soft furnishings are a sure way to inject colour and pattern into a space. As it’s one of your only ways to do this, go bolder than you may usually if you could paint. Here’s a couple of things to consider when choosing those soft furnishings. Swap plain curtains / blinds for a pair with a bold print or pattern. It will certainly add interest into a bland and boring wall. Layer your sofa and bed with a variant of coloured and patterned cushions. Choose different sizes and shapes to create a cosy space that’s bursting with colour and pattern. Use throws as an injection of contrast and colour. Opt for a contrasting but complimentary colour. Choose a rug that is key to your colour scheme. It will draw your eye to the open space and incorporate the colour lower in the space too. Choose light shades that have either a pattern or colour to them. Whether the light is on or off, it will offer more colour into the bland space.

Key furniture pieces

Why not inject your colour with the key furniture pieces you do buy. Opt for a pop of colour in your sofa choice or dining table, or your bed frame. Choosing a pop of colour rather than a neutral tone on these key pieces can inject that much needed interest. Plus, it’s without compromising your deposit at all.

Other important things to consider

Play with light

Light is so important in any home, especially one that can lack warmth from painted walls. Make sure you have plenty of light in your space, whether natural or lamps. A few lamps in a large space can instantly transform, making it cosy and warm.

Gallery Walls

You may or may not be able to put up hooks and nails, but either way, a gallery wall can be achieved in your rented home. Gallery walls are fantastic at filling large voids and gaps in walls, even more perfect when the walls are rented and bland in colour. Use adhesive hooks or nails, choosing a gallery that suits the style of your home. Mix and match frame colours and mix prints with personal phots for a versatile and personal gallery wall.

Plants – Faux or Real

Every home should have plenty of plants. Faux or real plants can transform any home,

especially one that lacks colour. Use a variety of flowers and foliage to have a home that embraces natural elements and brings life into the property.