Decorating
Rented Homes: 13 Decorating Tips for Short-term Renters
Create a stylish home using mirrors, curtains, lamps and other features that you can take with you when you leave
Decorating a temporary space is always a dilemma. You want to feel at home, but when you know the space won’t be home for long, it can be hard to justify a large investment. For these in-between accommodations, I’ve put together some of the best ways to add life, colour and a sense of you to a space while saving the big expenditures for your down-the-road dream home.
It should be noted, though, that before you do anything to a rented home – painting a wall or even hanging a piece of art – it’s wise to check with your landlord first.
It should be noted, though, that before you do anything to a rented home – painting a wall or even hanging a piece of art – it’s wise to check with your landlord first.
Choose a classic sofa
As I’ve mentioned before, a simple grey or neutral sofa is the best long-term investment, as it will outlast colour trends. However, if the manufacturer offers interchangeable covers for the sofa, you can spring for a bold option too and bring a strong punch of colour to spice up white walls.
What to look for when buying a sofa with long-lasting appeal
As I’ve mentioned before, a simple grey or neutral sofa is the best long-term investment, as it will outlast colour trends. However, if the manufacturer offers interchangeable covers for the sofa, you can spring for a bold option too and bring a strong punch of colour to spice up white walls.
What to look for when buying a sofa with long-lasting appeal
Add colour with cushions
Playful cushions are one of the best ways to add interest to a space without any long-term commitment. Choose wild covers now and you can move them to new spaces later — or zip them off and reuse the inserts in a new colour scheme.
If you stuff a cushion cover with a slightly larger cushion pad, such as a 50cm cushion pad in a 45cm case, it’ll usually be plumper and firmer, allowing it to form the back of a bench, or stack into an extra seat for guests.
Playful cushions are one of the best ways to add interest to a space without any long-term commitment. Choose wild covers now and you can move them to new spaces later — or zip them off and reuse the inserts in a new colour scheme.
If you stuff a cushion cover with a slightly larger cushion pad, such as a 50cm cushion pad in a 45cm case, it’ll usually be plumper and firmer, allowing it to form the back of a bench, or stack into an extra seat for guests.
Lay down a rug
Besides your sofa and its accessories, a bold, colourful rug is another great way to redefine a room without resorting to construction. It will hide an unattractive floor, bring colour without painting, and, if you buy a large enough one now, you’re likely to have a place to put it in your next home.
See how a statement rug can liven up any room
Besides your sofa and its accessories, a bold, colourful rug is another great way to redefine a room without resorting to construction. It will hide an unattractive floor, bring colour without painting, and, if you buy a large enough one now, you’re likely to have a place to put it in your next home.
See how a statement rug can liven up any room
Do a runner
Runner rugs can also add life to hallways or a galley kitchen and are usually inexpensive enough to justify the investment. Plus, they’re especially easy to roll up and take with you when you move.
Runner rugs can also add life to hallways or a galley kitchen and are usually inexpensive enough to justify the investment. Plus, they’re especially easy to roll up and take with you when you move.
Hang a shelf
If you’re willing to put just a few screw holes in the wall, which you can patch later (check with your landlord first), a floating shelf will give you a space for an ever-changing display of art and mementos without having to add a nail for each individual piece. Use one hook to hang a plug-in, pendant-style light, and you’ve got a complete look.
If you’re willing to put just a few screw holes in the wall, which you can patch later (check with your landlord first), a floating shelf will give you a space for an ever-changing display of art and mementos without having to add a nail for each individual piece. Use one hook to hang a plug-in, pendant-style light, and you’ve got a complete look.
Stick ’em up
Another alternative to nailing up numerous frames is to hang lightweight images, which can be suspended with Blu Tack or bulldog clips attached with double-sided tape.
Another alternative to nailing up numerous frames is to hang lightweight images, which can be suspended with Blu Tack or bulldog clips attached with double-sided tape.
Prop up a headboard
A bed with a large headboard can anchor a room, adding some height to your furniture so the walls feel more filled-in. Look for freestanding headboards that can be added to your bed now and reattached to an upgraded model down the road.
Check out how to make a headboard work harder
A bed with a large headboard can anchor a room, adding some height to your furniture so the walls feel more filled-in. Look for freestanding headboards that can be added to your bed now and reattached to an upgraded model down the road.
Check out how to make a headboard work harder
Think creatively
Instead of a headboard, you can use fun salvaged finds, such as old doors, shipping pallets, wood planks or a room divider. You’ll probably be able to sell them back to a reclamation yard if you don’t want to take them with you, or you can transform them into a fun new DIY project (like a charming garden table).
Instead of a headboard, you can use fun salvaged finds, such as old doors, shipping pallets, wood planks or a room divider. You’ll probably be able to sell them back to a reclamation yard if you don’t want to take them with you, or you can transform them into a fun new DIY project (like a charming garden table).
Introduce mirrors
A tall mirror leaning against a wall can expand your space and dress the room without being hung, and you’ll always be able to find a use for it in a new home. For even more impact, paint or gold-leaf the frame, and don’t be afraid to group a few mismatched mirrors together.
See more ways to work magic with mirrors
A tall mirror leaning against a wall can expand your space and dress the room without being hung, and you’ll always be able to find a use for it in a new home. For even more impact, paint or gold-leaf the frame, and don’t be afraid to group a few mismatched mirrors together.
See more ways to work magic with mirrors
Hang curtains
Like a rug, a curtain is a great way to add colour without touching the walls. If you upgrade your curtain rod to a long style that travels approximately wall to wall (achievable without much investment), you can drape a full feature wall in multiple panels – and use them in your next space either together or broken up.
Like a rug, a curtain is a great way to add colour without touching the walls. If you upgrade your curtain rod to a long style that travels approximately wall to wall (achievable without much investment), you can drape a full feature wall in multiple panels – and use them in your next space either together or broken up.
Go wild with washi tape
This fun trend originating from Japan uses colourful, removable tape to create designs on anything from small décor items to walls themselves, for a wallpaper-like effect without as much work and with much less commitment. Create a whimsical block pattern with a few colours cut into random strips…
This fun trend originating from Japan uses colourful, removable tape to create designs on anything from small décor items to walls themselves, for a wallpaper-like effect without as much work and with much less commitment. Create a whimsical block pattern with a few colours cut into random strips…
… or create a smart, sophisticated grid pattern for an architectural look. Peel off the tape when it’s time to pack up, and the room is reset.
Layer throws
Like cushions, throws are great for adding instant colour that can move not just between homes, but between rooms. Folded neatly on the bed, tossed over a chair, spread across a sofa – there are so many ways to use them. Plus, they add a sense of inviting warmth.
Like cushions, throws are great for adding instant colour that can move not just between homes, but between rooms. Folded neatly on the bed, tossed over a chair, spread across a sofa – there are so many ways to use them. Plus, they add a sense of inviting warmth.
Light with lamps
A tall, dramatic lamp is a good way to emulate the light from a nonexistent ceiling fixture, while also adding a feature that makes the room feel more filled-in. Choose a chunky work-lamp-inspired style for high impact and plenty of light.
A tall, dramatic lamp is a good way to emulate the light from a nonexistent ceiling fixture, while also adding a feature that makes the room feel more filled-in. Choose a chunky work-lamp-inspired style for high impact and plenty of light.
Opt for black and white
Another strategy to give a place a styled look is to stick to a mostly black-and-white theme. It works with any flooring and simple white walls and, combined with neutral basics, creates an austere, Parisian-studio look. Simply add a colour pop with fresh flowers and you’ve got a fully formed concept with just a few pieces and no stress – perfect for a busy life on the go.
TELL US…
What are your top suggestions for adding personality to a rented home? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
Another strategy to give a place a styled look is to stick to a mostly black-and-white theme. It works with any flooring and simple white walls and, combined with neutral basics, creates an austere, Parisian-studio look. Simply add a colour pop with fresh flowers and you’ve got a fully formed concept with just a few pieces and no stress – perfect for a busy life on the go.
TELL US…
What are your top suggestions for adding personality to a rented home? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
Giant wall-art can add a sense of colour to a room without actually painting or papering any walls. Recreate this effect without the frame by buying a single roll of wallpaper and hanging a continuous sheet like an art print using simple double-sided tape. (Or, invest in one room-defining painting, knowing you’ll find somewhere to put it when you move.)
See more inspirational wallpaper ideas