We're renters - we have been in our current house for almost a full year, and over the past year, it has fully become our home. Because we rent at the moment, there are certain dream projects that we will never do, like painting cabinets or changing the fireplace, but we've managed to make it our home. I don't know when we plan on moving next, but I know we're happy where we are for now. I wanted to write some fun, simple, not-too-expensive ideas for decorating and changing your space. These can be used for homeowners, but I'm mostly focusing on ideas to make a rental feel like home.
1. Make your own decor.
You know I'm all for DIY projects. That's what I love to do - I'm a crafty bitch. There are tons of wonderful ideas on Pinterest for large pieces that you can do yourself with a simple trip to the craft store or thrift store for some supplies - If you don't want to paint or are unable to paint, make a large wall hanging or photo gallery wall to fill empty space! We have two different large chalkboards that are statement pieces decorated seasonally. One of them we made, and the other I just used chalk paint on a wall decoration I thrifted.
2. Removable Wall Paper or Feature Walls
I think removable wallpaper is genius. I haven't utilized it in our home, but it's a relatively inexpensive way to make a big change in your home that's easy to remove when you're ready to move. I will link an article here to check out some great options if this is something you're interested in. I have heard that it's a little tedious to apply, so make sure to have an open afternoon, brew a coffee pot, and turn on a nice long podcast and plenty of patience while you do it. One thing we've done in our rental is have a couple of feature walls - we will paint one wall in a room with a pattern or color to add the pop that we want, and leave the rest of them white. I don't mind all white, but in our place, it feels a little bland with all of the white walls - our upstairs is white walls with white carpet, so any marks or stains are very obvious.
3. Rugs rugs rugs!
I love rugs. As far as home decor, I think a rug can completely change the look of a room - if I had to choose one item to use to decorate a room, it would probably be a large rug. I'm a fan of colorful, tribal prints or Turkish style rugs, but you can't go wrong with a natural material rug (such a jute) as well. I bought the rug in our living room at TJMaxx for about $60, and it's a 5x7. It is a high-traffic area, so it gets pretty covered in dog hair, but it's easy to clean and has an intricate pattern, so the occasional spill or spot isn't noticeable. (Might sound gross, but I have a baby, a toddler, and a lab that sheds constantly. We aren't perfectly clean... ever!) A high quality rug can be expensive, so look at your local discount department store (HomeGoods, TJMaxx, Big Lots) or Facebook Marketplace if you're looking to budget. I know they sell white carpet rugs at Walmart, Home Depot or Target for cheap as well. For smaller spaces, they even sell some cute little rugs at Five Below in their home decor section. I bought a blue tribal patterned rug for the boy's room there - it's a 3x5 and it just adds a nice little touch. Rugs also help protect carpet that can be difficult to clean - we ended up purchasing a carpet shampooer because we have white carpet (AHHHH! White carpet + a black lab = dirty looking stairs) but I have some rugs in the bedrooms to prevent more wear and tear on the carpet.
4. THRIFT!
If you know me, you know I absolutely love thrift shopping. If I had a day to myself, I would probably go grab a coffee and just hit up different thrift stores or garage sales all day. It's a treasure hunt, and I've been able to find large mirrors, wall decor, furniture, and textiles (blankets, curtains, etc) for mere dollars. Facebook Marketplace is your friend when it comes to furniture! Just keep an open mind - I know some people can be a little turned off at the idea of using someone else's stuff, but that's what they make washers and cleaning products for, guys! It's sustainable, inexpensive, and a great way to find items that are totally unique.
5. Be conscious of your security deposit, but still make it your own.
This is your home right now - whether you're living here for 6 months or 10 years, this is your personal haven. I don't like to make a ton of big changes, but I'm not afraid to screw into the walls, paint something here or there, or add shelves. Keep in mind that you want to respect the landlord and owner and know what you're going to have to do to change it back to how they had it - but also, don't be afraid to ask if maybe they'll accept changes! If the color of your kitchen cabinets drives you insane, ask if they would be willing to pay you to paint them or have them done professionally. It never hurts to ask respectfully, and sometimes they might be totally willing to make changes if they think it will keep a good tenant living there or add to the property value for the future.
Renting can be lovely in many ways - it's not as much commitment and it's great for those of us who aren't in an area or time in life where we're ready to purchase a home. I hope that you feel cozy at home in your rental - especially in these crazy times, it's so nice to have a home base that feels comfortable and safe. Have a wonderful day and thanks for reading!
Lots of love,
Megan
