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Make your home your own, even if you’re renting a property. These top 10 tips will help you create a stylish, inspiring and personalised space.
Indoor plants add colour, texture and depth to a room, and offer a real focal point to a space. Even better, they can go with you wherever you make your home. Danny Selzer, of Dans Plants wholesale nursery, says indoor plants can transform a home. “Whether it’s a row of cacti on a windowsill or a towering kentia palm in the lounge, plants bring a room alive,” he says.
Be mindful of porous plant containers and overflowing saucers to avoid water leaking and potentially damaging floorboards or carpets. Also, make sure that climbers such as hedera ivy don’t get into walls, Danny cautions. “That’s easy – just keep them trimmed and trained.”
Table or floor lamps can be a workaround for unsightly lighting. Brilliant Lighting’s Debbie Paice says they’re a great way to add ambience. “They also give you the option and flexibility to move them to other areas or rooms,” she says.
Use D.I.Y. pendant and batten-fix lighting to turn a bare ceiling bulb into a decor feature without an electrician, or completely change the look of a room by swapping a globe from cool to warm. Decorative vintage-look globes can add an industrial or retro vibe, while smart globes give you myriad options, from colour to dimming effects.
Don’t underestimate the power of furniture to lift a room. Invest in beautiful statement pieces that bring a smile to your face – and that are your very own. If space is at a premium, which it often is in rentals, select dual purpose furniture: a sofa with a fold-out bed for guests, coffee tables and ottomans with storage and entertainment consoles with drawers and cupboards.
Interlocking vinyl planking is simple to install (and later remove) and can quickly cover tired timber or cracked tile floors. This affordable solution comes in a great range of finishes. Interlocking foam tiles are another inexpensive and quick flooring option, especially for playrooms. Carpets can’t be ripped up and relegated to the bin in rental properties, but rugs can be easily layered over uninviting spaces.
A dark and dingy rental can be helped with the clever use of mirrors. By enhancing light and giving the illusion of space, mirrors are transformative, affordable and removable. Go big with a statement mirror over a console or mantle, hang a gallery of mirrors as a design feature, or create a new ‘window’ by positioning a mirror to reflect a view.
Many rentals don't come with sufficient built-in storage, which can be challenging. As well as selecting multifunctional furniture, look to storage solutions like freestanding wardrobes and cube units, which are simple to assemble and remove at the end of the tenancy.
Hanging art makes a space feel more personal; research also shows it will also make you happier**. However, you need to be careful not to damage walls with nail and screw holes. For lighter items (like posters and smaller frames), Command strips (Velcro-like strips) or adhesive picture hangers work well. Leaning artworks on mantels, bookshelves and even the floor can create a bohemian look; secure to the wall with an adhesive hanger for safety. If you are lucky enough to have picture rail moulding, you can hang multiple pieces with picture rail hooks and wire (no nails required).
Kitchen hardware can be easily replaced, transforming a space with minimal cost and effort, says Monique Parker of Kaboodle Kitchen. The colours and materials used will make a big impact – matt black gives a modern feel, while brushed brass can create a sense of luxury. “If you want the space to have a vintage vibe, handles sourced from second-hand or antique stores will help to add personality and charm,” she says.
Always run it past the landlord first and consider the dimensions of your existing handles to ensure you’re replacing them with ones of the same size. “You don’t want to be drilling additional holes into the kitchen doors,” Monique adds.
Accessories can go a long way towards lifting the appearance of your home. Swap mismatched quilt covers and ragged towels for bedlinen and plush cotton towels to bolster the look of a bedroom or bathroom. Throws, cushions and carefully created vignettes can help elevate an interior.
Tiny tweaks can make a big impact. Swap out the mouldy shower curtain for a fresh one. Replace the toilet seat. Brighten up an unsightly laminate bench with marble film. Purchase a moveable kitchen island to add workspace, and a sturdy shelving unit for extra space for crockery and pantry supplies.
**Telegraph.co.uk ‘Brain scans reveal the power of art’
Check out our essential guide to updating your rental without losing your bond.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
