How to Make Your Rental Feel Like a Home
Home. No matter if you own or rent, you should feel a sense of it. Home to me (and I’m sure everyone else in the world) is a sense of safety and comfort, that feeling when you sit down at night and everything around you is in place and reflective of who you are, where you’ve been, and what you love. Whether it’s a vase you picked up on a recent trip, family photos, a piece of art you saved up for, fresh flowers, your favorite scented candle, your grandma’s old lamp...whatever. All these things should result in a feeling of sanctuary and peace.
I know first hand when you’re a renter there are limitations- whether they’re enforced by your landlord or the general layout, so sometimes you have to get creative. Yes, usually there’s not that sense of permanency and usually, people are hesitant to put in the money or work that goes into customizing a space if it’s not technically theirs. However, there are temporary alternatives to help you make your space feel like it’s yours, if only for the time being.
PAINT
Do this first if you can, it makes things SO much easier. The last thing you want to have to do is take down any built-ins, furniture, or artwork once you’re moved in. If your heart isn’t set on a certain shade, here are some neutral timeless options:
Benjamin Moore’s Gray Owl, Super White, White Diamond, and Manchester Tan
Farrow & Ball may be slightly lesser-known but every shade is top-notch. School House White, Shaded White, and Drop Cloth are all safe options for those who want to keep it low key and neutral
And if none of these get you going- check out this article on Domino featuring the most popular paint colors of all time
WINDOW TREATMENTS
Unless it’s a Mid-Century modern cabin in the middle of the woods, window treatments of some kind are usually a good idea. They can be sleek wooden roman shades, or maybe semi-sheer Belgian Flax curtains are more your style. Either way, they’re always good to have for privacy and decorative purposes.
ARTWORK
Bare walls are kind of sad and reminiscent of a post grad’s bachelor pad. You don’t necessarily have to go nuts and do a gallery wall to frame your space. A few simple, thoughtful pieces that speak to you and you’ll be good to go!
Here are a couple of affordable pre-framed artwork sites: Society6, Art.com, and Minted
AREA RUGS
I’m a rug enthusiast. Anywhere an area rug can fit, I’ll throw one down (within reason). Sometimes the floors in rentals can be a little beat up and area rugs can be a quick fix.
PLANTS
I mean do I even need to explain? If responsibility ain’t your thing, here are some low maintenance options
VINTAGE/ANTIQUE ITEMS
It’s fun knowing almost no one else will have the same item and they always add an element of character to a space.
ORGANIZATION
Don’t skimp on organizational tools in closets/bathrooms/kitchens. Sometimes rental cabinetry isn’t the most conducive to organization. Thankfully there are plenty of sites here to help you get your cutlery and life together in a way that would make Marie Kondo proud. Wayfair, Ikea, and Container Store are a good start.
ACCENT WALLS
For those risk-takers out there, accent walls are having a moment. I don’t just mean painting one wall a bold shade. “Murals” are the new...something. If you need some convincing, just head to lizkamarul.com and take a look for yourself
THOUGHTFUL LIGHTING
Even if you don’t want to go through the trouble of swapping out fixtures, strategically placed floor lamps and table lamps can make a world of a difference when it comes to mood and functionality
