The Design Corner: How to Make Your Rental Feel Like Home

The vast majority of us have experienced the difficulties of trying to decorate a rental. If you haven’t taken the plunge into homeownership yet, then you’re still trying to work around the idiosyncrasies of decorating a space that you don’t own. In this blog we highlight a few of the hurdles you may encounter while sharing some tips to help you make your rental feel like home.

Remember to always keep in mind that you should check with your landlord before making any improvements to be sure they are permitted.

The Design Corner | How to Decorate a Rental

PROBLEM #1 // BLAND COLOR PALETTE

If you’re living in an apartment, chances are good that the color palette on your walls, floors, and cabinets is pretty boring. It is therefore desirable to bring some interest into rooms that are otherwise pretty sterile.

The Design Corner | How to Decorate a Rental

(Image Source: Mobile Bay Mag)

The Design Corner | How to Decorate a Rental

(Image Source: Suzy Hoodless)

The Design Corner | How to Decorate a Rental

(Image Source: The DIY Playbook)

The Design Corner | How to Decorate a Rental

(Image Source: Thoughts from Alice)

PROBLEM #2 // CHEAP FINISHES

This is, of course, not true of every rental, but it’s likely that the fixtures and finishes of your rental are not what you would choose if you could.

The Design Corner | How to Decorate a Rental

(Image Source: Little House of Four)

The Design Corner | How to Decorate a Rental

(Image Source: The Wood Grain Cottage)

PROBLEM #3 // EYE SORES

Unseemly electrical panels and radiators are often a fixture in rental properties. Instead of just living with those eye sores, disguise or cover them with your decor.

The Design Corner | How to Decorate a Rental

(Image Source: Miss Mustard Seed)

PROBLEM #4 // NO PERMANENT CHANGES

Many rental properties will not allow you to paint or otherwise majorly change the space which you’re renting.

The Design Corner | How to Decorate a Rental

(Image Source: Coconino by Timothy Sue)

The Design Corner | How to Decorate a Rental

(Image Source: Everything Emily)

The Design Corner | How to Decorate Your Rental

(Image Source: Temple & Webster)

The Design Corner | How to Decorate Your Rental

PROBLEM #5 // TRANSIENCE

One of the biggest hindrances to decorating a rental is the knowledge that it is only a temporary place to call home. How much time do you really want to spend on something that’s not your dream or forever home, right? Well… here are a couple things to consider:

First, how long do you expect to be in your rental? If you’ll be there for 6 months or more, it’s worth putting some time and effort into decorating.

Second, regardless of how long you plan to rent, it is never a waste of time to make your space beautiful. Make your rental someplace you want to come home to at the end of the day – this will in turn increase your quality of life. So, forget that it might be temporary, and have fun making the space feel like home!

About Emily Marsh

Emily takes impressive photos, interviews interesting locals, and keeps things organized for Harrisonblog. She also works on special marketing projects, transaction management, and event management for The Harrisonburg Homes Team. Emily loves dogs, her friends and family, dancing, and getting outdoors.