Getting on the property ladder is more difficult than it ever has been. With only 26% of people aged 20 to 39 expected to own their own homes by 2025, for many the option of renting is the only choice. Many families have to make peace with the fact that they must set up home in a house that’s owned by someone else. Along with this comes the problem of putting their own stamp on the house to make it their own. Everyone wants to live in a space that is comfortable and cozy to come home to. So, how can you personalize a rented house?
Ask Permission
When you’re living in rented accommodation, you’ll need to ask permission before decorating. There are plenty of landlords who don’t allow the walls to be painted or permanent marks to be made. Landlords will often decline tenant’s requests to have pets too. It can seem like tenants have little say on the interior design of their homes, but you don’t know unless you ask. You may be lucky enough to have a landlord that’s willing to let you decorate as you want. After all, the more flexible the landlord is with decoration, the longer you’re likely to stay, which means the landlord’s bills are met.
However, don’t just decorate by taking the risk of not asking first. This is especially important if you have a landlord that likes to make surprise visits to check on the property. You’ll never know what past experiences a landlord has had to deal with. For example, A few broken rules may be enough for him/her to break your contract and ask you to leave if a landlord has been previously taken advantage of and has had damaged property.
De-cluttering
You are allowed to ask your landlord to completely empty the property before you move in. There are some landlords that will push their luck and try and use part of your property as storage. For instance, the garage attached to your property may be filled with the landlord’s belongings. This will prevent you from using it to keep your vehicle safe. Ask your landlord to have everything moved out by the time you move in.
For many people, a rented house is just a stepping stone for the next phase. Whether your plan is to eventually buy your own property or you’re still looking for a rented house you can really settle into for the long-term. Most rented properties aren’t stayed in for long. With that in mind, do your best to avoid clutter in the house. If you buy something new, throw something old out. That way, when the time comes to move on, you won’t have piles of clutter to sort through first.
Bespoke
The best way of personalizing any space is to fill with things that have meaning. It’s easy to go to a bargain store and pick up home accessories that will be in every other home on your street, but adding things that say something about your personality is what will really make you feel at home. Building a collection of things that can personalise your space will take time, so don’t worry if the home feels a little empty as you start out. Start looking in places that very few other people do. You can usually pick up fantastic bespoke pieces from local artists. They may cost more than you usually pay, but they’ll certainly last longer than bargain store pieces.
Get Creative
You never know what you’re capable of until you try. When you need something new for your home, why not have a go at creating your own? There’s nothing that will stamp your rented house better than things you’ve made with your own two hands. Take a look at some knitting tutorials when you need a table cloth. Or have a go at some wood work when you need a coffee table. You could even go as far as to take a welding course. One of the easiest ways to contribute to your home by making something is to create your own wall art. Whether you decide to make your own metal piece or you get a blank canvas and allow all the family to throw some paint on, you’ll be creating something that no-one else in the world will have.
Update Your Furniture
When you’re ready to replace furniture, you may not have the funds for furniture stores. There are so many ways that your furniture can be upscaled via painting or re-upholstering. You may need a bit of help to get a perfect fit but there are tons of places where you can find bright, colorful and patterned fabrics. If you’re not brave enough to do your sofas, consider trying it out on your seat cushions first.
When it comes to wooden furniture, you can have a lot of fun at being creative. The safest option is to paint the wood a different color in an effort to brighten up rooms. However, there’s much more you can do with wood. You can spray it, lacquer it, strip it, stain it and much more. If you’re not allowed to decorate the walls, bring your personality out in the things you do own.
Keep an Eye Out
Just because it’s bespoke, it doesn’t mean it has to be expensive. You may have to do some hunting if you’re determined to put your stamp on your rented house, . Keep an eye out for travelling markets that make a stop in your area. You also be may be surprised by the gems you find at garage sales. People often sell things that belong to family members but have no meaning for them. You’ll also be able to pick up some bargains at small town auctions, where the attendees are few. It can be time consuming to build up a collection that can display your personality but it’s certainly worth the hassle.
What About Furnished Houses?
There are many houses for rent that come fully furnished. The appeal of this is that young couples starting out don’t have to have the extra expense of buying everything they need on top of having the money for a bond and first month’s rent up front. However, people who rent furnished houses are often sacrificing their own style and personality. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to make a furnished house your own.
- If the sofa design and color doesn’t appeal to you, consider finding a throw that’s more your style and covering the sofa with it. You can also replace sofa cushions with your own and store the original cushions away.
- Rugs are ideal for putting a bit of your personality into a room. Go for a rug that really makes a statement and matches all the pieces you’ve brought with you.
- Having a furnished home is a great opportunity to buy the things you need bit by bit. Talk to your landlord and ask if he/she would mind you putting some of their furniture in storage at your own expense. It doesn’t cost much to rent a storage unit. That way, you can slowly but surely replace the landlord’s furniture with your own.
Don’t Forget the Garden
The garden is an extension of the home. It’s important to remember the garden and maintain it. There may be certain aspects of the garden that your landlord doesn’t want you to change, but most landlords are okay with whatever you do, as long as it doesn’t negatively affect the price of the house.
During the Spring and Summer months, you’ll spend more time in the garden, so it’s important for it to be a place where you can relax and enjoy yourself. You may want to plant some of your favorite flowers or designate a patch towards growing vegetables and fruits. Maintaining a garden can instil a sense of pride and achievement, even if you don’t own it. To maximize your enjoyment during the warm Summer evenings, consider putting up some solar lights and filling the garden with things you love to look at. Maybe you’ll have a go at building your own bird feeder or find a vintage bird bath at a market. The exterior of the house is just as important as the interior. It’s important to take pride your home, even if it is a rented property.
It can be difficult living in rented house when you dream of living in your own home. It may seem impossible to put the home-feel of your own if you’re restricted in how you can decorate, but there are things you can do. The most important thing is to remember that any home you live in should be able to demonstrate your personality and the things you love. Think outside the box when it comes to putting your stamp in the home. The more time you give to personalising your space, the better it will look.
This post is a collaboration and may contain relative and relatable affiliate links. All opinions are our own and for informational purposes only.