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We all crave that home sweet home feeling, but when you live in a rental unit, it can be a little hard to take in that feeling when you don’t like the look or layout of your space. Your ability to make major changes is much more limited than if you owned the space, but there are still some changes you can easily make without getting the owner in trouble.
Make your living room more liveable
Often the first room you walk into when you step through the door, the living room is a blank canvas that lets you be as creative as you want to be.
You don’t need to break the bank buying new furniture and wall art. You’d be amazed by how effective these simple changes can be to totally reshape and reimagine the living room to your taste:
A fresh coat of paint
Most landlords don’t mind you painting your unit a bright, neutral colour so long as you ask them beforehand (you may also have to paint it back to builder’s white when you move). Get the job done right the first time by hiring a local professional painter.
Soft furnishings
The right curtains, throws, area rugs and sofa cushions can make any living room look luxurious. If you’re limited in terms of your wall colour choices, we recommend going as bold as possible with floor-to-ceiling curtains and decorative tapestries. Save money and get creative by making your own soft furnishings or buying them secondhand on ClassifiedsEU.
Houseplants
Houseplants not only add vibrancy and style to your home, but they also benefit your health. Most common houseplants work hard to filter the air in your house and provide an extra dose of humidity that you might need in those dry winter months.
Did you know that many people are selling their houseplants, macrame hangers and pots on ClassifiedsEU?
Turn your bedroom into a retreat
Whether you’re renting a house in the suburbs or an apartment in a high-rise, your bedroom is meant to be a place to unwind after a busy day. Turn your bedroom into just that by adding little upgrades, like:
- An electric fireplace
- Sheer floor-length curtains to soften the light from outside
- Scented candles
- Soft carpeting or a large area rug
Zen your bathroom with DIY
Unless you live in a modern building, your bathroom may be looking a little outdated. While your landlord might not renovate your bathroom just because you asked, there’s a lot you can do to make this room feel more stylish. Here are some ideas:
- Replace your showerhead and faucet (you might want to give your landlord a head’s up about this, but they probably won’t mind if you’re footing the bill).
- Give yourself more storage space with floating shelves. If you don’t want to make holes in the wall, consider a chic storage cart.
Give your kitchen some landlord-friendly TLC
Maybe a major kitchen renovation isn’t in the cards for you as a renter, but there are some light updates that you can do that don’t require your landlord’s approval:
String lighting
If you’re short on counter space, you can mount LED string lights underneath your kitchen cabinets and adhere them with hooks or velcro. Extra lighting makes your kitchen look roomier and more inviting.
Peel-and-stick backsplash
Depending on how old your building is, there’s a chance you don’t have a backsplash to speak of (or if you do, it may not be the prettiest thing to look at). Add your own personal touch while protecting your walls from grease and paste stains with adhesive backsplash tiles. Why stop at your backsplash? You’ll find adhesive solutions for all your kitchen surfaces, such as faux marble countertop decals and appliance decals.
Kitchen Island
Add more storage and food preparation space with a folding kitchen island. You can find many online, build one yourself, or better yet, hire a local contractor to build you a beautiful custom island that fits your space perfectly.