When you move to a new place you want it to feel like a home. Living in a rented property can make that hard as you don’t have much—if any freedom to change anything about the flat. When you move in, you’re left with an empty shell which can be daunting and seem like a huge project.

With things like furniture, lighting and personal touches, it’s worth taking the time to create your home. There’s so much you can do to a space without fear of losing your deposit! 

Furniture

When moving for the first time, often you don’t have a lot of furniture of your own. Most flats or homes come unfurnished or with the choice to be unfurnished. Buying all new furniture can be expensive but is also a blessing in disguise. Check out your local charity shops and markets, websites like Gumtree and even Facebook Marketplace for cheap bedside tables, dining room chairs and bookcases that you can Upcycle and completely make your own! 

Wall Art and Photos

Personal photos and your favourite prints are the best way to make a place feel like your own. As is the case in many rentals, hanging prints and photos on the walls the traditional way is a big no-no, but fear not! There is a way to hang up your beloved frames without damaging the walls. You can use hanging strips with easy removal tags.

We love these strips for £9.99. They come in different sizes and can hold up a variety of weights so your dreams of a gallery wall may soon come true!

Lighting

Lighting can really change a space, and there are many ways to do this—from your choice of light bulb to the type of lamp or lamp shade. You can get light bulbs that recreate natural daylight which is amazing if your apartment is on the darker side.

Play around with lampshades of different shapes and sizes to get the best lighting for the room or go for free standing floor lamps. They’re stylish and a great way to make a room feel more comfortable and cosy—perfect for those winter evenings in front of the telly. We love this £59.99 Tripod floor lamp which will give your room that cozy feeling.

House Plants

Bring the outside in, especially if you don’t have any outside space to call your own! Plants can really bring some colour as well as life to a space, and there are so many to choose from. Hardy plants such as spider plants, aloe vera, calathea, cacti and succulents aren’t too pricey and are almost impossible to kill which is good news if you’re not so green-fingered like me!

Soft Furnishings

Scatter cushions, throw blankets, rugs, towels, beddingall pieces that can inject a bit of personality into your home! Use a gorgeous rug to cover up a hideous carpet or a patterned throw to liven up an old sofa. You can even continue this in the bathroom with your towels, bath mats and shower curtain. Mix and match colours and textures to really brighten up the room and make your space feel more homely. 

Ask Your Landlord

Double-check your tenancy agreement for things you can or cannot change. Some landlords will let you paint or put up shelves on the walls, you’ve just got to ask! Most will be happy to let you change things up a little bit as long as you ensure the property is back to how it was originally when it comes to moving out.

Sticking to neutral coloured paints is a good way of keeping a landlord happy so if you’re after a more vibrant look, check out alternatives like removable wallpaper!

Written By Megan Brammal