Six easy ways to make your rented apartment feel like home

Chloe Hines Chloe Hines
LOFT DISEÑADO POR JUDITH FARRAN by HOME DECO ( centro de Barcelona), Home Deco Decoración Home Deco Decoración Salas de estilo industrial
Loading admin actions …

At one point in life, you may find yourself renting an apartment or home. This comes with a surprising amount of benefits, like low-maintenance home care and repairs, the ability to move whenever life's circumstances change, and more affordable housing allowing you to travel or save for a purchase later in life.

However, despite the facts that renting an apartment is definitely a more transitional and temporary option than flat-out buying a home or condominium, the need to make it feel homey still exists and creating an atmosphere that feels like home is still necessary.  There are plenty of ways to make your rented property feel like home without high costs and major construction-based projects. Of course, all the decor and furnishings you consider should be temporary and allow you to leave the property damage-free, so you can keep that deposit we all know you're counting on.  

Below we have listed several ways in which you can easily make your apartment feel like home, a place you strive to come home to day after day, without the headache of a complete re-design project!

Put up some nice curtains, roman blinds or sheer drapes

private apt in Milano, StudioCR34 StudioCR34 Salas de estilo minimalista

When you move into a new apartment, or if you're simply looking for ways to change the apartment you've been in for a while, the first thing you should do is take a serious look at your space and analyze the atmosphere.  It's always important to look at the lighting in your home, whether that be how much natural light come in through the windows or the lighting fixtures (which can typically be removed and replaced with the landlord's permission.)

To get the most out of your space, let as much natural light as possible infiltrate each room and dress up your windows with appropriate window coverings, whether that be curtains, roman blinds or sheers.  If you have a smaller apartment, we suggest you stick with sheers to let the most light in, and if you have a larger space and want to add some drama, opt for long curtains in various colours, textures and patterns. 

For proof that window coverings can change and bring light into even the smallest living spaces, check out this great living room example with pull-down sheers!

Add some nice artwork to the walls

Vivienda, DECLASE DECLASE Salas de estilo minimalista

Depending on the rules and stipulations of your lease, it might be possible to make holes in the wall to hang large-format artwork and shelving. If this is the case, use this to your advantage. However, always make sure to properly fill and paint over holes before you decide to move anywhere else.

If your lease doesn't allow larger holes for art work and shelving systems, then you will have to consider some alternatives. There are plenty of products on the market that allow you to hang hooks or simply sticky-tapes that are strong enough to hold art works and even shelves: They are also 100% removable when the time comes to move out. Think about hanging large-format graphic prints and posters without frames for a more modern look – these can simply be hung with washi tape, which leaves zero damage on the wall!

If hanging anything permanent in your apartment isn't an option, then you can also consider wall decals as another artistic option. Check out these large-format decals for more inspiration! 

Give your kitchen cabinets a touch of paint

nuova cucina a Verona, moovdesign moovdesign Cocinas de estilo minimalista

Before you go through with the decision to paint your kitchen cabinets, always get express permission from your landlord or housing board. Luckily, a lot of landlords and building regulations will allow for renters to paint walls and cabinetry, but you will more than likely have to stick within a neutral colour-palette and show your landlord the exact colour you wish to paint them.  

We suggest that you stick within a neutral colour-palette either way because this will undoubtedly create the illusion of more space, which is always great for apartment living!

Change the lighting

Just as we stated in our first option, taking care of and using lighting to your advantage is one of the most important things when changing the atmosphere of a space.  Once you've decided on your window coverings, make a decision about the artificial lighting fixtures in your apartment.

As you will see in this example, the designer chose to use multiple types of lighting fixtures – overhead lighting, table lamps and even floor lamps – to pull out a dynamic and dimensional feel to the combined living spaces. Make sure while renting that if you decide to change the lighting fixtures, that you keep the original fixtures that came with the apartment and put them back in the correct position when you decide to move out.  The best part about changing lighting fixtures is that not only will they give your apartment a fresh and modern feel, but they are a long-term investment as you can take them with you wherever you decide to move!

Try unique lighting fixtures like this one to really make your space stand out with a modern touch!

Put up family photos and art on wall shelves

homify Salas de estilo minimalista

If you're looking to make a minimal amounts of holes in the wall because of your lease and damages, then look at shelving units as another option to display art work and family photos.  Nothing will make your space feel more homey then personal and family photographs and decor.  

With shelving units, as seen here, you would have to make two holes in the wall and the amount of art work you can display is nearly unlimited.  Shelving units are a quick and easy way to give yourself plenty of options to display unique items, family photographs and artwork. Just make sure to properly fix the holes before you leave!

Add flowers, plants indoors and even outdoors on the balcony

Balconies are always a plus when you're dealing with a rental apartment situation.  They provide you with easy access to the outdoors, a great place to invite friends and guests over for a night of hor d'oeuvres and best of all, you can use them to create and maintain your own flower, herb, vegetable or fruit gardens.

Even if your balcony is smaller in size, there are plenty of planting units that you can buy to get the most out of your fresh ingredients while not removing the limited space you have. Consider hanging planters, over-the-balcony hangers and special standing units that will allow you to keep herbs and vegetables in organized pots while allowing enough room to sit and/or entertain! Take advantage of the benefits balconies can offer!

For more inspiration, check out these seven ways to furnish a small apartment

¿Necesitas ayuda con tu proyecto?
¡Contáctanos!

Destacados de nuestra revista