Decorating your new home can be an exciting experience, but if you’re renting, you may have restrictions on the changes you’re allowed to make. With that in mind, home warranty experts at Cinch Home Services have shared five expert tips for bringing your rental home to life without risking losing your deposit.
The experts say, “In recent years, many people have found themselves spending more time at home, whether due to remote work, lifestyle changes, or global events. This shift has highlighted the importance of creating a comfortable and inviting living space. “Whether working from home, enjoying a quiet evening, or entertaining friends, your environment plays a crucial role in your overall well-being. It’s essential to invest in your living space and make it feel uniquely yours, even when you’re renting.”
Consider soft furnishings
Choosing different soft furnishings can significantly enhance the ambiance and character of your rental home. Cushions, throws, and curtains allow you to express your personal style, making your space feel more like home. Items like plush rugs and soft blankets contribute to a cozy atmosphere, especially during the winter months ahead. You can easily incorporate colors and patterns that resonate with your taste, creating a cohesive look throughout the space. Soft furnishings also add layers of comfort, making spaces feel more inviting.
Utilize lighting with different color temperatures
By thoughtfully selecting and arranging different types of lighting, you can transform your rental space into a vibrant, functional, and personalized home. Light bulb color temperatures, measured in Kelvin (K), can significantly impact the atmosphere of your home and influence mood, energy levels, and functionality. Bulbs with cooler color temperatures of between 5,000–6,500K offer a crisp, bluish-white light similar to natural daylight. This color temperature can be stimulating, so it is best used in environments where focus and alertness are required. However, be mindful that overusing cool lighting in relaxation spaces can make the environment feel sterile or cold.
Bulbs with warmer color temperatures between 2,700–3,000K produce a soft, yellowish light. Warm light feels welcoming and can make gatherings feel more intimate, while also promoting relaxation and comfort, making it ideal for winding down in the evening.Bulbs with a color temperature between 2,000–2,700K offer a deep amber or almost candle-like glow. They are great for creating a snug, peaceful environment, and are the perfect color for intimate moments or creating a tranquil setting.
Invest in a leaning mirror
Incorporating leaning mirrors into your rental home decor is an effective way to infuse personality, enhance the sense of space, and create a stylish environment while adhering to the restrictions typically associated with renting. Leaning mirrors can be moved easily, allowing you to change the layout of a room without needing to patch walls or make permanent changes. This makes them ideal for rentals where security deposits can be affected by wall damage.
Use sticky pads or stick-on nails
By opting for sticky pads and stick-on nails, you can easily and stylishly transform your rental space into a vibrant reflection of your personality while maintaining the integrity of the property. With sticky pads, you can easily reposition artwork and posters to find the perfect arrangement without the hassle of filling and repainting holes. This flexibility can lead to more dynamic and creative displays. Sticky pads and stick-on nails allow you to hang items without drilling holes into the walls and are particularly beneficial in older properties with delicate paint or plaster.
Add plants to your home
Adding plants to your rental home can create a lively, inviting atmosphere while offering flexibility, aesthetic appeal, and emotional benefits. Whether you opt for real or fake plants, they can transform your space in ways that traditional wall art may not. If you’re in a rental and cannot make permanent changes, plants are a great way to add life without violating lease agreements.
Top tips when moving into a rental property
Cinch Home Services have also shared their top three tips that renters should remember when they first move into their property.
Take photos when you move in and move out – Photos provide a visual record of the property’s condition at both move-in and move-out. This can help clarify the state of the apartment or house and protect you against unfair claims of damage.
Check your tenancy agreement – The agreement often outlines the condition in which you must return the property when moving out. Understanding these requirements can guide how you furnish your space and what you might need to remove or restore.
Report any damage to your landlord – Any damage or repairs needed for your new rental accommodation should be given to the landlord in writing to avoid being held responsible for them later.
