"When I first moved into my apartment, I felt a mix of emotions between excitement, nervousness, and overwhelm. I was no longer living with my mom (even though I still see her quite a few times a month), I had just gained this wave of independence, and my partner and I were starting an exciting new chapter together. I spent weeks planning decor, buying essentials, and dreaming about how my new home would look. However, I quickly realized that I would have to dial down my dreams of being a novice interior designer to accommodate the restrictions of renting. Painting, wallpapering, and other major changes are big no-nos in rentals (and a lot of effort for a temporary space). But that didn’t stop me from creating a space I love.
From temporary updates like a new showerhead (life-changing BTW) to low-effort DIYs and decor that doubles as organization, there are plenty of ways to make a rental feel like home while following the rules. Here are eight ways to make your rental feel like a reflection of you.
1. Add your own personal touches
To make your rental truly feel like home, it’s always a good idea to include pieces of yourself when decorating. Whether that means displaying photos of friends and family, incorporating your favorite colors, or decorating with pieces you inherited from a loved one, these details are great reminders that your home is an extension of yourself and should reflect what you love. Artwork is another great way to personalize your rental. When I was a kid, the walls of my home were always covered in eclectic canvas paintings, and I’ve carried a few of those paintings with me over the years. Now, I display them in my current home for a sentimental feel. You could also choose artwork that serves as Easter eggs for your personal hobbies and interests, such as a Velaris-coded art print for all my ACOTAR fans or a custom dog portrait for the devoted dog moms.
Use photo frames to display your favorite photo with your besties or a sentimental item like the plane ticket that brought you to your new home.
Every dog (and cat) mom knows that your pet is an extension of yourself much like your home. Combine the two with an adorable custom pet portrait that doubles as wall decor.
This matchbook print has all the key features from Sarah J Mass’s ACOTAR series from the piping hot tea from the Suriel to the notorious cauldron.
This painting is the perfect ode to any Diet Coke stan’s favorite sweet treat.
2. Upgrade your lighting
Good lighting can transform the feeling of a rental from dull or overly bright to a soft, cozy ambiance. To update your rental’s lighting without switching out any of the existing fixtures, swap the standard-issue lightbulbs for a more tech-savvy option, such as smart bulbs that can dim or change colors. If changing the bulbs on your “big lights” isn’t enough, lamps are a great way to add soft lighting that doubles as decor. As opposed to overhead lighting that can create a sharp contrast in a room, lamps spread out the lighting and give your space a much warmer, more inviting feel.
3. Bring in life with plants
There’s something about plants that just boosts your mood. From colorful flowers to rich greenery, plants exude positive energy and are the perfect way to accessorize your rental. If you have a green thumb, select a houseplant that suits your space and lifestyle (some require more work than others!). If you’re like me and not gifted in the gardening department, displaying fresh flowers in a vase can easily brighten your home. You could also opt for some realistic-looking fake plants, which have the same visual benefits as real plants while being the ultimate low-maintenance option.
4. Add pops of color
Whether you prefer a subtle approach to color or you gravitate toward more colorful palettes, incorporating your favorite colors can help make your rental feel like home. If you love a neutral color scheme, play with different shades and textures to bring life and depth to your space. For a more eclectic look, utilize pops of color through your furniture and accessories like artwork, pillows, throws, and knickknacks.
Don’t feel like you have to stick to a strict palette either. When I was first decorating my home, I tried to adhere to a specific color scheme to make the room look cohesive, but in reality, the space felt flat. It wasn’t until I ditched the strict theme and started buying decor that simply made me feel happy that my home truly started to feel like my own. Try out the unexpected red theory with a pop of red, or simply choose decor in colors that you gravitate toward.
5. Create an entryway
The entryway is the first impression of your home, but it’s easy to forget in the decorating process. Creating a space that is welcoming while also being useful is a must. If you live in a rental with a small entry or no dedicated entryway at all, you can still create a space you are excited to come home to. To boost function, bring in storage options like a small shoe organizer or hooks on the wall for keys and bags, and hang a mirror on the wall to give the illusion of a bigger space (and allow for final outfit checks before you run out the door). If you have more room to work with, place a console table or bench against the wall to create a drop zone where you can dump your bag and other necessities when you walk in the door.
This mini shoe rack is a great way to keep your shoes organized and close to the front door without taking up too much space.
Don’t like to see your shoes? Try this shoe hutch as a chic and practical way to hide your shoes.
Mirrors create the illusion of depth, making a small space seem larger. Plus, they are great for last minute outfit checks when running out the door. This one pulls double duty thanks to a built-in shelf and hooks along the bottom.
Sometimes, space is limited. These hooks are great for jackets, reusable bags, purses or keys that just don’t seem to fit in the closet.
6. Add cozy vibes to your bedroom
In addition to being the place where you relax and unwind, your bedroom is the last place you see at night and the first thing you see when you wake up. So, why not make it the coziest room in the house? For me, I feel most at home when I’m sleeping in the cool AC under a plush comforter on a soft mattress. Upgrading your bedding adds a cozy factor that optimizes comfort, which is ideal for making your space feel like home. If you’re looking for a more relaxing atmosphere, bring in mood lighting options that you can customize to help you wind down in the evenings. You could even bring in a diffuser with spa-like scents or a humidifier to help you breathe easier at night. Whatever makes you feel most at ease and reduces your stress, incorporate it into your bedroom to create the perfect safe space.
7. Make your bathroom feel like a spa
When you think about what makes a house (or a rental) a home, the bathroom is probably not your first thought. However, I think updating your bathroom is one of the most underrated ways to make your rental feel like home. Make your space feel like a spa by hanging eucalyptus from your showerhead, setting a candle or diffuser on the counter, and adding organizational items like trays and baskets to maximize space. For a more substantial change, you could switch out your showerhead, add a decorative shower curtain and rugs, or mount suction-cup shelves in your shower. All of these updates can make your morning and evening routines feel like treating yourself to a spa day in a more cost-effective way.
8. Use rugs to customize your space
Don’t love the flooring in your new apartment? Rentals are notorious for having less-than-appealing flooring (gray vinyl, old carpet, tile that hasn’t been replaced in decades… you get the idea). Rugs are a great way to hide unseemly flooring and update the look of your rental without making any real changes to the space. Opt for a neutral rug to take the focus away from your floors, add drama by layering two rugs together (we love an oversized jute rug as a base layer), or opt for a high-pile option to make your space extra cozy. Washable rugs are always a good option for areas with high foot traffic, like an entryway or kitchen.
