With property prices continuing to rise, more and more people are renting long-term. Renting a property can sometimes mean you are restricted on what changes you can implement in order to make a property feel like ‘home’.
For long term tenants, it can be important to find ways to add a personal touch. In this article we will be looking at some of the ways you can add personality to your rental property without breaking any of the conditions of your tenancy.
Pre-tenancy Considerations
Furnished or unfurnished?
Before moving into a new rental property it is always important to find out if the property is being let on a furnished or unfinished basis. It can often feel tempting to opt for a fully furnished option for ease, convenience and cost saving. However, unfurnished properties generally tend to be decorated neutrally, giving tenants the opportunity to add their own personal touch by adding their preferred style of furniture and accessories. Furnishing a home is much more cost effective than it used to be, with most staple items being available at an affordable price from retail outlets such as Ikea. There are also lots of pre-owned options available from buy-and-sell sites such as Ebay and Gumtree, allowing tenants to easily furnish homes on a budget. Despite it being a little more difficult to personalise a fully furnished property, there are many ways to add your own touch without breaking any tenancy rules, which we will cover in this article.
Communication with Landlords & Letting Agents
Rules of tenancy, what can you change?
Decorating a rental property is often prohibited in a tenancy agreement, and implementing any changes that can cause damage to a property can affect your deposit at the end of tenancy. It is important to read your contract to see what changes are permitted before actioning anything. You may find that you can do more than you thought by talking to the landlord directly. They may be happy for you to implement changes such as painting, wallpapering and laying new floors if they feel that it will improve the state of the property. It is important to always obtain consent in writing for any agreed changes so that you and your deposit are protected.
Artworks, Mirrors & Wall Hangings
Add your personal touch
Most landlords won’t have an issue with tenants hanging mirrors, photos or artwork on the walls of a rental property, as long any damage caused by nails or screws is rectified before the end of tenancy. This is a great way to brighten up and property and really make it your own. Adding mirrors is a brilliant way to add increase the feeling of space and light in a room or hallway. If you are unable to hang anything on the walls with nails, consider using freestanding mirrors to liven up the space or using command hooks (damage-free picture hanging strips). Another great way to add character to a rental property is to apply removable wall stickers. These are especially useful for adding character to a child bedroom and can be removed easily at the end of your tenancy without leaving any marks on the walls. If a tenancy agreement states that nothing should be hung on a property wall, then it is important to honour this or you may risk losing your deposit.
Updating Furniture
Add your own furniture
Adding your own furniture to a property can really help it feel like home. Although this is easier to implement in unfurnished properties, small additions can be added to furnished properties to add a personal touch. Consider items such as coffee tables or free standing shelves. If your landlord is happy for you to store the furniture included in your rental, consider replacing with three or four stand-out pieces that reflect your style, such as a dining room table or comfy sofa. Remember to pick timeless pieces that can work both in your current rental home and any future properties that you might move on to.
Soft Furnishings
Rugs, cushions & curtains
Soft furnishing are a great way to add personality to your rental property if you are limited on the changes that you are allowed to make. Implementing colour and texture by adding cushions, throws, rugs and curtains can breathe new life into a space. A great way to inject colour is by adding a statement rug. Not only will it brighten up the space, it will also protect carpet or wooden floors from any potential damage that could be caused during your tenancy, therefore protecting your deposit. Throws are another quick and affordable way to add your own style to a room whilst being handy to disguise any pieces of furniture you may not be keen on. You can create additional texture and interest in your home by adding cushions that reflect your taste. Layering soft furnishing can be a really effective way to add a sense of luxury to your home, making it feel cosy and welcoming.
Storage Options
Add more storage
If you require extra storage in your property but your landlord is unhappy for you to make ay permanent changes, there are other options available. Adding traditional shelving can cause damage to walls, so consider adding free-standing shelving to your rental property. As well as providing you with extra storage, some sleeker designs can become a style feature in your home. Adhesive shelves are another great way to to do this and work in a smiler way to picture-hanging strips, meaning they can be romped easily without causing any damage to your walls. Box units are another great options, providing storage space as well as a display cabinet. Under-bed storage options are another great way to increase your storage space, slide shallow plastic boxes underneath and use to store shoes and seasonal items.
Improving Lighting
Introduce new lighting
Many rental properties are painted in neutral tones - generally magnolia! Lighting is a great way to add warmth and atmosphere to your home when you can’t wait the walls. Investing in small but sleek signature lamps which interesting shades can bring personality to your space. Swapping out standard shades for more decorative options can make a big difference. Paper lampshades are easy to find and an affordable solution to replace the central pendant in a room. As well as replacing lampshades another lighting fixtures consider the type of light bulbs that you are using. High wattage bulbs in white can be harsh, consider swapping for lower wattage and filament bulbs to create a warm evening glow. LED lights can be a good addition to kitchen spaces lacking light (added to kitchen counters etc.) and can be applied using adhesive strips so that they can be easily removed at the end of tenancy.
Adding Houseplants
Add plants to your home
Introducing indoor plants into your home is a great way to brighten up a room and boost your health and wellbeing. Good, low maintenance plants to introduce into your property include: Ficus trees, snake plants, spider plants, string of hearts and peace lilies. Small herb gardens, including plants such as potted basil and rosemary, are another great way to introduce plants into your home as well as being useful in the kitchen. If you are limited on space, consider using a kitchen window box to plant your favourite herbs in. Introducing plants into a home has numerous health benefits and can help us evoke a feeling of nature. Certain plants, such as the peace lily and spider plant are also great air purifiers, helping to keep your home fresh naturally.
Personalise Outdoor Space
Garden, balcony personalisation
If you are lucky enough rent a property that includes outdoor space, you have the opportunity to inject your personality here. Whether you have a small terrace, balcony or small back garden, you can make the most out of this space by adding a few personal touches. If you have the outdoor space to accommodate a table and chairs, it is worth investing in a set of foldable garden furniture. By doing this you gain an ‘extra room’, particularly during the summer months. Order great additions to add a pop of colour and personality to your outdoor space include: outdoor cushions, plant pots, hanging baskets and window boxes. Adding planter lights or fairy lights can also add atmosphere and transform the space during the evening.
Conclusion
We hope that reading this article has given you new ideas and ways to add a personal touch to your rental property. As mentioned earlier, always communicate with your landlord or letting agent to make sure that any changes that you make fall in line with the tenancy agreement. Happy decorating!
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