When we’re moving somewhere new, we want to put our own stamp on a place. But that can be a little tricky when you’re renting.
You can’t get rid of that awkward sofa in the living room or the rickety table in the dining room and the bedroom just never quite feels like it’s yours with the remnants of the last tenant’s posters still sticking to the wall.
But there are a few small things you can do that can really change your space, without impacting it permanently and annoying the landlord!
Tweaking small details
Upcycling furniture has never been more popular! Sustainable, fun and creates one-of-a-kind pieces, it gives a room that extra little touch of you, without that much effort or impact! @renting.hacks makes the most of her rented home, based in south east London with these cute little hexagon knob additions to what was a plain jane cupboard.
‘Such an easy way to update a tired looking chest of drawers! We got this one from Ebay for just £30 and the hexagon door pulls for just £12, quick and easy!’
DIY projects
A little initiative goes a long way! Nothing says ‘rented’ or ‘impermanent’ like a lack of a headboard. The bed floats in the room with pillows up against a hard wall, seeming ungrounded and random in the space. But with an artistic hand and some careful measuring like @renovate.no.98 has done, you can create a grounding place and an art feature all in one!
‘A little makeover...DIY panelling and a lick of paint! I was never fully happy with this room so decided to give it a little TLC. I removed the old headboard and decided to panel the back. We found the most gorgeous piece of wood (from an old wardrobe) so we sanded and stained it before fitting it on top…Finally, added some fresh white bedding, lots of cushions and some decor bits.’
Invest in accessories
Chances are, if you’re renting now, you may be renting again in the future. Investing in a few key accessories that make a house a home makes a temporary place feel much more inviting and welcoming for the renter. Furniture, plants and rugs like the one that @renter.hacks invested in. Ideal for making a place seem that little bit more lived in, it adds a cosiness that feels like home.
‘I find using a lot of rugs in a rented flat useful to eliminate our footstep noise for the flat below, also helps as most rented accommodation has pretty rubbish flooring! I struggled to find a large rug on a budget but found this one on eBay for just £68 for 200x300cm... if you’re willing to put the time in, you can find some real bargains on Ebay.’
Lighting
Ambience is any space is key in determining its atmosphere and the lighting in a room is a huge part of that. Lamps can make a difference to the harsh overhead lighting, but they can sometimes be too big, or awkward for a space, like in the kitchen or bathroom. A real game changer are LED lights. No electrical connection needed, they can simply be attached to the underside of a kitchen cabinet to provide over counter lighting, or as spotlights around a bathroom mirror.
There are plenty available in IKEA that will suit lots of different spaces and create a play of shadow and light, highlighting the best parts of the room and creating a cosy atmosphere.
