If you live in a rental, it is easy to feel like it’s not really your home. But unless you really do plan on moving out in two months, then it is well worth investing a little time and a little money into making it feel like it is. Here are our tips for making your rental look like it belongs to someone.

Clean

If you can, clean everything before you start unpacking or get settled. A good, deep clean will work wonders. Whether you hire professionals to give your new place a deep clean or you tackle it yourself, a nice clean apartment or house will make you feel like it’s a clean slate and a fresh start. Make sure that your carpets or hard floors are cleaned really well, and your walls are given a wipe over too (if they aren’t wallpaper).

Paint!

While you might instantly think that your landlady will never let you paint in a million years, it never hurts to ask. And even if they insist on you painting it over when you leave, it is well worth the effort.

Sort Out the Lighting

Rentals are notoriously bad when it comes to lighting. The first thing that you should do is to swap out the light fittings! They might not be ugly, but they might be boring and they are unlikely to be in the style that you like.

A room should also have at least two sources of light, so you might have to buy some lamps! The light you need depends on the function of the room, for instance, you may need softer lights in your living room for a more ambient, relaxing feel, whereas in your home office, you should make sure that you have a desk lamp.

Dress Up Windows

One of the best ways that you can make your rental more homely is to dress up the windows. Whether you like them light and airy, or texturally layered for lots of interest, the best you’re going to get from a rental is probably going to be office style grey blinds or the thinnest, cheapest curtains they could find. So buy or make your own curtains and you’ll see and feel a difference almost immediately.

Plants

Add plants to your rental rooms and it’ll instantly lift the feel of the place, making the whole space feel more loved.

So whether you live in a posh Featherstone Leigh Richmond rental, or the cheapest place that you could afford, making a rental yours shouldn’t have to be expensive, or lease breaking, or take up all your time.