7 ways to make rented home cozy and feel like your own
And a rented home can be made your own (photo: Freepik.com)
Long-term rental properties usually have a neutral and even somewhat bland interior. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to completely remodel it to your liking, but what are some simple ideas that can help transform a rental into a true cozy corner?
Here is some advice for renters on how to make their rental property feel more like their own.
Dress up your furniture: New aesthetics
If landlords can’t part with old furniture, give it a new lease on life. Sew slipcovers for sofas or chairs to make them look fresh and stylish. If sewing seems too complicated, simply drape the furniture with light fabric and neatly tuck the edges.
Consider also using ready-made stretch slipcovers - this is an easy way to update the look of the room. Complement with throws and decorative pillows to add even more coziness.
Decorate the walls: Creative approach
Afraid to drill holes in the walls of your rental to hang your favorite photos or posters? Find a compromise: frame them or use mats and place them on open shelves at eye level.
It’s not a problem if the frames overlap slightly - this will add dynamism to the display. This method of decorating the walls allows you to easily change the exhibition according to the season or mood.
Even simple wall decals are a great way to personalize a space (photo: Freepik.com)
Buy chairs to your taste
If your living room lacks seating, poufs or bean bags can be a solution. They are inexpensive, lightweight, and mobile, making them easy to move from one apartment to another.
Choose a few poufs that complement each other in color or shape. Keep in mind that the filling in bean bags can compress over time, so it's best to select models with zippered covers, allowing you to easily add more filling when needed.
Change the curtains to your
Hanging bright-colored or patterned curtains on your windows can immediately transform the atmosphere of a room. This is a simple and effective way to refresh the interior, even if the other elements remain unchanged.
Vertical stripe curtains will visually raise the ceiling, while yellow tones will create the illusion of sunlight streaming through the window.
Bright curtains lift your mood (photo: Pixabay.com)
Add your rug
The easiest way to update the bedroom's interior is to buy a bright rug.
You can take it a step further: select a bedspread and pillows that complement the rug’s colors, or even bedding that highlights the chosen style. This will give the room a sense of coherence and completeness.
Add color: Playing with contrasts
Rental apartments often lack storage space. If you plan to buy your dresser or wardrobe, consider colorful options.
Even a basic storage system can become a striking feature of the room if you place bright-colored bins of the same size but different colors on the shelves. Alternatively, choose colorful shelves with light-colored boxes - this also creates an interesting visual effect.
A bright chair will constantly remind you that it was purchased by you, not the landlord (photo: Freepik.com)
Order stickers: Walls that speak
If the walls in your apartment are painted rather than wallpapered, you can decorate them with special stickers. They are easy to remove when you move out, leaving no traces. This is a great way to add personality to the space without violating the landlord’s rules.
The following sources were used for this article: Homes and Gardens, Apartment Therapy, Forbes Home.
