8 Tips for Decorating a Rental Property

One of the many things I love about interior decorating is that it feels like an opportunity to breathe new life into a space. But decorating a rental property is a lot different than decorating a property you own. 

Plus, because each renter has their own unique taste and preferences, it’s important to allow each one to make the space feel like home. The good news is that there are a ton of ways to decorate a rental property without making permanent changes to the space. 

Here are some practical and creative tips on how to decorate a rental property.

8 Tips for Decorating a Rental Property

Consult your landlord first (if applicable)

What you can and can’t do to your rental property is probably outlined in your lease agreement. However, it’s always a good idea to go over your decorating ideas with your landlord before making any changes to the space. This is the best way to avoid a potential issue. 

Add plenty of houseplants

An easy way to brighten up a space and make a rental feel like home is to add plenty of houseplants. There are also numerous health benefits to having houseplants in your home, including cleaner air through natural air purification. 

Filling a space with natural materials, like houseplants, can create a sense of calm and relaxation. You can grow a small herb garden in your kitchen to give you access to fresh, organic ingredients at each meal. 

You can also place a ficus or rubber tree in one or more corners to add some height and fill the space. If you like the look of flowers, try a hoya plant. They’re low-maintenance and great for adding some color to your living room.

Get creative with storage

Why choose boring storage options when you can opt for storage solutions that add to your rental’s aesthetic? If you like to use storage cubes, you can use wicker cubes instead of the more common fabric cubes that don’t add much to the space. I also love to use large woven baskets to add character while also hiding clutter in places like your living room or kids’ bedrooms. Belly baskets are super on-trend right now, whether you use them to store blankets or plants. 

Invest in quality light fixtures

For rental homes that leave much to be desired in terms of natural light, consider adding some light fixtures. Table lamps or floor lamps can add a lot to the cozy ambiance of your living room, especially when paired with comfortable area rugs. 

In the bedroom, place a couple of table lamps on your bedside tables for an ambient glow ideal for reading. 

Decorate the walls

Here’s some great news for renters: there are countless ways to decorate the various rooms of your rental without painting the walls. Although if you are interested in painting the walls I would definitely recommend talking to your landlord first.

As for other ways to decorate the walls, there are a ton of ways to incorporate more color in the space and add some style and personality. You can create an accent wall with peel-and-stick wallpaper,  or even decorate an entire room with this convenient removable wallpaper.

Another way to decorate the walls in your rental is to put together a gallery wall  using picture frames and other wall decor. Command strips are great for hanging things on the wall without making any holes. 

Choose multifunctional furniture

Multifunctional furniture is a game-changer when it comes to saving money, maximizing space, and decorating the rooms in your home. Think about how furniture pieces can be used in more than one way to suit your needs. You can invest in things like a convertible coffee table or a space-saving folding dining table.

Hang window treatments

You would be amazed by how much of a difference hanging window treatments can make for a rental home. Window treatments are about so much more than privacy, especially if the windows in your rental are already covered with blinds or shades. 

Invest in some decorative curtains to soften and personalize your space. You can even get some blackout curtains to darken your bedroom and reduce your heating and air conditioning bills.  From the minute you put them up, you’ll be so glad that you did. 

Put up a temporary backsplash

The kitchen is often the most difficult room in a rental home to decorate, simply because of the lack of temporary options. Fortunately, there are ways to add some color and personality to your kitchen without making any permanent changes. 

One fantastic way to decorate the kitchen in your rental home is to add a peel-and-stick backsplash. A backsplash that looks like it’s made of high-quality tiles can elevate your kitchen space in a landlord-approved fashion. 

With these decorating tips, you can transform your rental into a space you love.

Decorating a rental property can feel like a daunting task, especially when you have a strict landlord. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to create a space that feels like home without making any permanent changes to the property.

For more information on rental properties, check out my post “renovation costs for rental property,” and then head over to the blog.