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Decorating Your Rental Home

Written by Ian Joseph | Dec 10, 2021 7:12:52 PM
 

Decorating your rental is a delicate balance. On the one hand, you want your home to feel…well like home. On the other hand, you have a security deposit on the line and a lease that most likely limits the decorating you can do. However, with a little bit of creativity, it’s possible to do both!

Don’t Let Your Love of Pictures Give You a Hangover

Hanging art and photos is one of the most popular ways to personalize a space. However, nailing nails into the walls of your rental is a big “no-no” and a great way to lose your security deposit. But don’t despair! Instead of hanging your art, display it.
Look at the flat surfaces in your house – tabletops, bookshelves, counters, decorative ladders, and windowsills just to name a few. You can lean your art and photos against the wall without risking any damage, accomplishing the same objective as hanging.
There’s also this handy little invention called removable hooks and Velcro. Basically, the adhesive is strong enough to stick without being permanent. However, and this is a big one…neither of these options is guaranteed not to damage walls, especially if they are painted. Carefully removing them is key, otherwise, you run the risk of stripping the paint as well.

Decals – They’re Not Just for Cars

Remember those glow-in-the-dark star stickers? While you probably aren’t interested in decorating your walls with stars (although it’s perfectly fine if you are) wall decals are a great way to add a bit of pizzazz without causing any permanent damage.

Dress Up the Windows

While you’d need to get the ok from your landlord before hanging curtain rods, there’s a pretty good chance they may already be there. If so, use them! Curtains are a great way to bring a little bit of you into the room. Also, provided that you aren’t planning on hanging heavy items, a bit of ribbon and a curtain rod is an excellent way to display your artwork and photos.

Roll Out the Carpet

Decorative rugs are a great way to add some color and design to your rental space. And guess what? They serve more than one purpose. Area rugs help protect the floor below, helping to safeguard your security deposit.

Green is the Way to Go

Another great way to breathe some life into your décor is to add plants. There’s no question that greenery adds visual interest to any room. Just remember – unlike wall decals which are a stick and forget – plants need a bit of ongoing TLC.

Let there be Light

While you may not be able to change light fixtures, you can add a bit of your own personal touch. Interesting floors, table lamps, and temporary spotlights can help create intimate spaces and interesting visual effects. Sometimes we all need a little inspiration and looking online is a great way to find a look and feel that works for you and your personal style, after all just because you can’t make major changes to your rental doesn’t mean you can’t make your rental a home.