Whether you’re renting a furnished or unfurnished abode, it’s often a challenge to make it feel like home. Drab walls, furniture, flooring and window treatments can negatively affect how you think about your living space and yourself. Here are five ideas to help you infuse your rental home with life, color and light, from installing greenery and temporary wallpaper to investing in portable lighting.
1. Bring In Greenery
Whether you opt for faux or fresh greenery, houseplants are an easy, effective and healthy way to make your rental feel like home. From ferns and lilies to succulents and dish gardens, the possibilities are endless. Choose your plants based on your physical space and their care needs. For example, if you’re tight on floor space, try hanging varieties that are easy to reach and water.
2. Install Temporary Wallpaper
Temporary or removable wallpaper is tailor-made for renters like you. If your rental policies don’t allow you to wallpaper or paint your interior, turn to peel-and-stick solutions. They let you bring instant color, pattern, texture and life to your interior walls. Whether you’re in the mood for floral, tropical, vintage-inspired, metallic or neutral tan wallpaper, you can find the perfect product. If you don’t want to install wallpaper throughout your rental, consider installing it on accent walls in your living or sleeping space.
3. Incorporate a Signature Piece
Incorporating a signature piece into your rental can give you that feeling of home away from home no matter where you are. If you already own a signature piece like an ottoman or bureau, bring it into your rental and make it a focal part of the layout. Establishing history and familiarity goes a long way to feeling at home, even if you move every few months or years.
4. Hang Photos and Art
Nothing says home like your own family photos, heirloom pictures and art. When you see your family and ancestors’ faces or your favorite Rothko print every day, you establish connection and coziness. Think about incorporating curated wall art if you want to create a stunning gallery wall with pop and city art or animal and nature pieces. If your rental policies prohibit putting nail holes in the walls, check out removable hooks and adhesive strips that leave no trace!
5. Invest in Portable Lighting and Fixtures
From plug-in reading and accent lights to indoor and outdoor solar lights, lighting lets you create a mood that feels like home to you. Invest in the lighting and fixtures that suit your style and budget. Low lights in the evening can create that cozy, womb-like feeling. while LED lighting in the kitchen can create that bright, sunny farmhouse feel you crave.
If these five ideas appeal to your rental living space and your imagination, browse retailers’ websites today for temporary wallpaper, furniture, photos and art, and lighting and fixtures. You may prefer to shop for greenery at your local nursery or home improvement store so that you can hand-pick your plants.
