Making your rented place feel like home is easier than you think. New homes are a black canvas, just waiting to be filled with life and colour. Small changes make a big difference and these easy tips will have you settled in before you know it!
Choosing the right neighbourhood
A big part of feeling happy in your home is feeling comfortable in your neighbourhood. If you’re moving to a new area, make sure you do a bit of research before you commit yourself to anything. Spend a bit of time in the area – try it on for size and see how it fits. How’s the walk to work? Does it feel safe? Will that little coffee place be your saviour at weekends? If you can’t explore the neighbourhood in person, try this useful search tool from CIA Landlord Insurance. Enter a postcode to get the low-down on the safety of the area.
Kerb appeal
OK, so you’ve chosen an area and got the keys to your new rented place. Before you even set through the door, think about how you can make your new home feel more friendly and welcoming. Ideally, your landlord will already keep things pretty neat out front but think about how you can make it even nicer. Make a little checklist of things to get sorted like cleaning windows or polishing the door knocker. And, if it’s alright with your landlord, get yourself some pretty pot plants for your doorstop!
Small changes = big difference
In an ideal world a rented place will be freshly decorated in neutral shades – making it easy for you to get going and make your mark. If that’s not the case, don’t despair. I asked the experts at CIA Landlord insurance for their advice and they told me it’s always worth talk to your landlord about making positive changes to your new home. Most landlords won’t object to you painting a room in a clean, neutral colour, or hanging up a new blind or some pictures. But remember communication and trust are key. It’s crucial to get permission in writing from your landlord and keep them informed with your progress.
Add character with furniture, soft furnishings and accessories
Clever accessorises are your friends. Faded, stained carpets or tatty laminate floor? Cover them with a rug you love, and your home will be feeling more homely in no time. Renting a furnished flat with a sofa you hate? Cover it with all your favourite throws and cushions. If you’re buying furniture, choose items which will make an impact on a small scale. Invest in bright footstools to dot around the room, a velvet cocktail chair or a quirky little side table.
Not allowed to hang pictures?
You can still create your own little gallery space on a bookshelf or window. Add other mementoes, like flowers and keepsakes. Change your display according to the seasons and it will always feel fresh.Lean your large picture frames against the wall for laid-back cool.
Give the kitchen and bathroom a mini-makeover
The kitchen and bathrooms in rented properties are always going to be chosen for practicality, rather than beauty. They may also be a bit tired and tatty around the edges too. This is another chance for you to put your mark on the place! Invest in a few of life’s little luxuries for the bath room – like some new fluffy towels, bath mats and some pretty storage jars. In the kitchen, cover an ugly work top with a gorgeous wooden or marble chopping board and add colour and personality with your kettle, toaster and mugs. Remember, simple changes = big difference.
Houseplants – the gift that keeps giving
Buying a new plant for a new home is a bit of tradition isn’t it? And it makes a lot of sense – they not only look great, they also work hard to purify the air too. Having something of your own to nurture and grow in your home is such an important way to connect with your space. Invest in large fiddle fig or some palms to cover ugly corners of a room, and dot smaller succulents and cacti around to bring your space to life.
What are your favourite ways to make a rented house feel like home?
This post was sponsored by CIA Landlord Insurance . Please always ensure you have the homeowner’s permission before making any changes to a rented property.
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