5 ways to decorate when you’re renting

Decorating a rental home is not the same as decorating an owned property. Even with an easygoing landlord, rental property rules regarding structural changes and internal and external facelifts apply. Unfortunately, this can leave renters feeling left out of the decorating loop, but it shouldn’t. There are still plenty of ways to add some temporary pizazz for the length of your lease.

1. Add soft furnishings

Andrew Winter from Selling Houses Australia once said, “Never underestimate the power of cushions”. Soft furnishings like cushions, throws, curtains and blinds can add a sense of texture and comfort to a room, and better yet, you can take them with you when you move.

2. Use temporary storage

If space is limited in a rental property, explore temporary storage options that also add a decorative flair. You can use a standalone ladder, storage trunk, basket or bookcase both for storage and as a decorative display piece for colourful vases, candles, vintage bottles, picture frames, books and other trinkets.

3. Add greenery

Adding living décor is one of the best ways to inject colour, personality and warmth into a rental property. Introduce greenery into rooms with potted plants, terrariums, flowers and even a herb garden. Make sure you keep on top of your indoor gardening chores – a room full of wilting plants doesn’t exactly scream warmth and comfort.

4. Explore floor décor

If decorating potential of the walls is restricted, why not consider the floors? The floor is a great space for temporary decorative pieces that double up as comforts, such as rugs, beanbags, pouffes and floor cushions. Adding floor décor is also the perfect opportunity to introduce some colour.

5. Decorate the walls

Decorating the walls sounds like going against the principles of renting 101, but there are ways of finessing walls without doing any permanent damage.

Making your own wallpapered panels is the best way of adding wallpaper without actually sticking it on the walls. Glue or nail a strip of wallpaper to a large plywood panel and lean it against the wall – easy! And thanks to the invention of adhesive picture-hanging strips, it’s now possible to decorate your walls with picture frames, canvas prints and art without having to use hooks.

Just because you’re renting doesn’t mean you can’t decorate and make it feel like home. These simple additions will transform your rental property from a blank canvas to a work of art.