There’s not a person out there who doesn’t want to make their home feel homelier. Home is, where we relax. If it’s not homely, it’ll be harder to reach maximum levels of comfort. Hence why there’s so much focus on interior design and decoration. That stuff matters! When we move into a new home, the first task we set ourselves is to turn it into a space which suits. Before we’ve unpacked, many of us reach for the paintbrushes to start redecoration. And, when you own the house you’re moving into, there’s no limit on what you can do.
But, what if you don’t own the property? For many people, home ownership is but a distant dream. Such individuals rent properties which belong to others. As such, it’s harder to get that personal feel. But, that doesn’t mean renters should let go of their home decor dreams. If anything, getting the space the way you want it is even more important when you rent. The knowledge that the house doesn’t belong to you will get in the way of complete relaxation as it is. Don’t let bad decor bring you down further.
In all honesty, it would be naive to think that decorating your rental space will be plain sailing. The chances are, it won’t. You can’t get to work with any design idea you have. Your landlord would probably have something to say about that. You’re going to need to put a little extra work in to get the space how you want it. But, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make an effort. It’ll be well worth it in the end. And, to make your life a little easier, we’ve made a list of how to go about things in the right way.
A Rental Space Which Makes Your Heart Sing
When we’re buying a home, we look out for a property that gets us excited. Some people go to endless viewings in search of that special spark. Finding it is the best feeling ever, and is a sure way to tell that you’ve picked a winner. But, when renting, we seem to forget that spark exists. The majority of us choose rentals based on rent prices. Which, of course, makes sense. After all, costs like those outlined at http://www.propertyguru.com.my/resources/to-rent-guide/renting-a-property-deposits-recurring-costs-tenancy-agreements-and-responsibilities play a huge part in renting. The fact is, you can’t pay one set price. You’ll face those costs day in day out. But, does that mean you have to forget the spark altogether? We don’t think so.
Instead, you need to get clever with planning. As you would with a house, you should work out your budget and look at all properties which fall within it. Don’t settle for the first thing you see if you aren’t happy with it. Keep looking until you’re certain. The rental market moves fast, and there is a certain degree of urgency. But, don’t let that pressure you into making a wrong decision. If you were willing to set a property aside while you look for others, it wasn’t right anyway. Losing it shouldn’t matter to you! When you find the one, you’ll know it straight away.
Know What You Can And Can’t Do
Once you’re accepted for a property, you can start researching what you can and can’t do. For the most part, this will be outlined in your contract. Much of the time, painting, or drilling holes in the walls, are outlined as no goes. But, as well as looking through your contract, you should talk to your landlord. Every rental property owner will have different rules about what they consider acceptable. Often, you may find that there are a lot of points they’re willing to reconsider. Many landlords are happy for people to do what they want so long as they consult with them first. Whatever you do, though, don’t act without permission. This is a sure way to irritate your landlord and could end with eviction. A little conversation is all it takes. If they do agree to something, write up a little note and get them to sign it, just so you both know where you stand.
It’s also crucial that you stay calm if refused. At the end of the day, this isn’t your home. If your landlord says they don’t mind you painting the walls then great. But, don’t push the point. They’re well within their rights to refuse, and you don’t want to burn that bridge.
Non-Invasive Ways To Display Pictures
Something as simple as hanging personal pictures on the walls makes a huge difference to the feel of a home. But, large nails and holes in the wall are a nightmare for many landlords. As such, you may find yourself unable to hang anything with the traditional nail method. But, that doesn’t mean you should go without your pictures. Be they art prints, or personal photographs. These will go a long way to making the space feel your own. The good news is, there are alternatives. Instead of drilling the walls, you could opt for no-mark adhesive strips like those found at http://www.command.com/3M/en_US/command/products/. These are an easy way to hang pictures, and you don’t have to worry about them pulling the paint off the walls. They’re specially designed to be damage-free.
If you’re uncomfortable taking the risk, you could always opt to display your pictures in other ways. At the end of the day, they don’t have to be on the walls for you to appreciate them. Stocking up on tabletop frames means you can display them on surfaces around your home without even touching the walls!
Make The Most Of Accessories
Accessories will be your saving grace. These are small, non-invasive touches. They’ll make a huge difference to the homely quality of your rental space. The best part about these is that you don’t have to ask permission or worry about the damage they’ll cause. You can just scatter them around the space and enjoy the effect they create. A rug on the floor, for example, will bring a room to life. With one of these, you won’t have to worry about not being able to change the carpet itself. And, a colorful sofa throw, or bright cushions, will have you forgetting about the bland walls you couldn’t paint. In short; accessories have the ability to transform a space. Learn how to use them!
Be Prepared To Put Everything Back To Normal
A lot of the time, it’ll be in your contract that the property has to be as it was when you leave. So, even if your landlord gave permission, you may need to put things back as they were when you move on. Keep this in mind through any work you do. Take note of paint colors before you cover them. Keep the old curtains when you replace them with new. And, make sure you know how to fill holes if you are allowed to drill the wall. Then, when the time comes, set aside plenty of time to do the work. Moving is stressful enough, and you won’t want to think about this on top. So, as soon as you start looking for a new place, it’s time to start putting things back to normal. It’s tough, undoing work you’ve done. But, don’t let it get you down. At least you had the chance to make the space your own while you were there! Renting will always be a temporary arrangement, but it’s still worth creating an idea of home.
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