Simple Ways To Make Your Rental Property Feel Like Home

April 11, 2022 by Georges Benoliel

68% of people in New York rent their homes, with ⅓ of people spending 50% of their income on rent payments. Once you’ve factored in bills and real estate living expenses, you may find that there isn’t a lot of budget for decorating your new home. Many renters also find that there are restrictions on personalizing a property. Some landlords ask that you keep walls a neutral color or not nail anything into the walls. There are plenty of inexpensive ways to decorate your rental home to reflect your taste and style without making changes that go against your rental agreement. There are Simple Ways To Make Your Rental Property Feel Like Home!

Everyone deserves to live in a space they love, not just homeowners. While I used to think it wasn’t worth investing time and money in a rental, reading Apartment Therapy and seeing inspiring rental transformations on Instagram has changed my perspective. Connecting with creative individuals has created a modern design support group for me. Now, when faced with a quirky apartment, I enjoy the challenge.

Property Feel Like Home: Paintings and photographs.

The artwork in your home is often a story of your experiences and your journey through life. Hanging pictures and paintings is an Property Feel Like Home excellent way of personalizing your space.

Different-sized picture frames can be effective on stairwells, and you can buy customized frames to fit your artwork.

Rather than nailing your pictures into the walls, use adhesive Command Strips. These are sticky strips that won’t mark the walls when removed.

Take down the blinds to make your Property Feel Like Home

After I set up my bed and hang my shower curtain, removing the blinds is next on my list of move-in tasks. Even though my blinds were usually pulled up (as seen in the image above), I was surprised by how much brighter the whole space felt the first time I took them down. I love this trick because you usually only need a screwdriver to remove the brackets, and blinds are easy to stash in a closet until it’s time to move out.

Of course, you require some form of window covering for privacy from your neighbors. However, the inexpensive and challenging-to-maintain mini blinds commonly found in rental units do not add to your visual appeal. Instead, consider hanging a set of curtains (IKEA has some excellent options for curtains and hardware) or applying a frosted window film to allow light in while keeping prying eyes at bay.

Replace the lightbulbs

I made a great decision by replacing the cheap fluorescent bulbs in my bathroom with better ones. The yellow glow from the old bulbs was too bright and made me uncomfortable. Changing the bulbs and light fixtures makes me feel more relaxed and comfortable in my home. I also replaced the bulbs in my flush mount lights and added floor lamps and task lighting, making my home cozy even after the sun. Although LED bulbs can be expensive, the prices have decreased recently and can last up to 20 years.

Work with the quirks.

When renting an apartment, particularly one in an older building, you may encounter some aesthetically pleasing yet bothersome features, such as radiators that occupy valuable space. However, I am thrilled by this challenge, which allows creative decorating ideas. For instance, I placed a marble shelf atop my radiator, transforming it into a multi-functional nightstand, bookshelf, and practical surface. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, a small amount of tiling from a hardware store can achieve a similar effect. Remember that when working with radiators, it’s best to use materials that are poor conductors of heat, such as stone. Additionally, if your radiators become hot to the touch during winter, this remedy is only suitable for use in the summer.

Fabric covers and drapes

If you have plain or neutral-colored walls in your space, using different fabrics and drapes can be a highly effective way of bringing paint color into your home.

You can use brightly colored throws over sofas and furniture to change the room’s aesthetic. Also, this is easier and just as effective as painting the walls.

You can change the fabrics seasonally, too, using thick velvet and faux fur in the winter and lightweight cotton in the summer.

Rugs and floor coverings

It is common for rental properties to have neutral and heavy-duty flooring or linoleum that is easy to clean.

This flooring may be practical, but it might not suit your taste. Laying down rugs is a simple way to change the flooring look.

Solid and geometric prints can give your home a modern look. Therefore, you can choose a Persian pattern if you like a more vintage style. In bathroom and kitchen areas, you can lay removable tiles (also known as peel-and-stick tiles) over the lino if you want to change the pattern and look without damaging the original flooring.

Changing the look of a rental property without compromising your tenancy agreement is effortless. Putting up artwork and using fabrics and textiles to decorate your home is a great way to bring in your personality and taste.

Tags: Real Estate NYC

Written By: Georges Benoliel

Georges has been working in Wall Street for the last 16 years trading derivatives with hedge funds. He has been an active real estate investor for over a decade. Georges graduated from HEC Business School in Paris and holds a master in Finance from ESADE Barcelona.

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