Make a Rental Feel Like Home
Melbourne has seen the largest year-on-year increases in rental demand per listing at 59.6%. It seems the prospect of buying a home may be getting further from reach for some with the booming property market.
But rather than it be an inferior choice, renting as an alternative for short term or intermittent necessity for long term financial gain has its pros and cons too, with savings on things like stamp duty, rates and fees. It doesn’t mean you have to live in a space you don’t love though!
Most renters though have the mindset that it isn’t worth investing energy (and money) in a space that they’re just renting. But there are ways to make a rental property feel like your own, without compromising your lease agreement. Be sure to request and negotiate to make some simple cosmetic changes to the property when you sign the contract or look carefully at your rental agreement for any no-go areas.
Get Artsy
Nothing says home quite like walls covered in art that you love. Just avoid drilling holes into the wall. Instead, use removable hooks, or for a modern feel, simply rest your pieces against a fireplace mantle, existing shelving, or a freestanding cabinet.
Style it Up
Accessorise, accessorise, accessorise! This might seem obvious, but the fastest way to make any space look like “yours” is to incorporate decorative things that you absolutely love – don’t skip the sentimental items. Think rugs, candles, cushions, throw blankets, leaning mirrors and flower arrangements. A nifty styling trick is displaying books throughout your rental is a simple way to create an inviting and personalised home. If you don’t own many, stock up on 50-cent titles you resonate with from the op shop. You can use them in many ways, such as placing them on coffee tables or stacking them in place of a bedside table.
Rentals especially older buildings, tend to sometimes have annoying features that you can’t move and take up space. Accept the challenge and just decorate around the quirks! And try to complement your house’s era/style – don’t work against it. If you’ve got a modern apartment, probable best to not dress it up like an art deco cottage for example.
Have a Lightbulb Moment
We all know how can dictate the way a space feels and functions. Swapping out fluorescent bulbs for a softer/warmer glow can instantly make a room feel more homely and relaxed. Renters aren’t generally allowed to replace light fittings, or add downlights, skylights or dimmers. But there are fewer structural alternatives that are just as effective but won’t upset your landlord, like an eye-catching floor lamp that can turn a bland space into something special.
Windows Don’t Have to be Blinding
Just like lighting, window furnishings can make or break a space and the aesthetic you’re looking to achieve. Remove dated vertical or Venetian blinds and hang curtains in their place for a softer, more elegant look. Just be sure to retain the blinds and store them safely to rehang when you leave.
Plant Love
Plants are portable and literally breathe life into a room. Bring the outdoors in by creating a lush collection of indoor plants – particularly if your home doesn’t have the garden you dream of.
Dress up your shelves with greenery or pop them in pots for floor stands, or if your rental has a verandah, you could also hang plants from the rafters. This won’t leave any marks at all and will allow you to move your garden with you.
Get Fancy with Furniture
Statement armchairs, upholstered bedheads, and modular shelving to create an impact when you decorate. The world is your oyster when it comes to freestanding furniture!
Ask Your Landlord
Don’t be scared to ask your Property Manager or the owner if it would be OK to paint some walls or put up a few hooks. Worst that can happen is they say “no” and it can be relatively inexpensive if you’re handy with a roller or a hammer/drill. But if you’re not confident, be sure to appoint a professional.
So go on, reach out to your Love & Co Property Manager to triple check any terms snd conditions of your lease you’re not sure of. You’ll not only improve and add value to your landlord’s property, you’ll get to live in the home you’ve always dreamed of.
Sources:
https://www.homestolove.com.au/10-ways-to-make-a-rental-home-your-own-22647
https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-make-rental-feel-like-home-36824948
https://www.realestate.com.au/advice/10-tips-for-making-your-rental-feel-like-home/
https://www.domain.com.au/living/top-10-tips-to-help-your-rental-feel-like-home-20180316-h0wwle/