Do’s and Don’ts for Making a Rental Feel like Home with Elevated Design

As if 2020 hadn’t already presented us with enough challenges, our family decided to take one more on: we sold our home, packed up our bags, and ended up moving from the suburbs into the city in the midst of the madness. My family was ready for a new adventure back in the city, and so we took the leap of faith, but finding the perfect home for us in the city presented a few challenges. As a result, we ended up renting a home, and while it’s the perfect stopping point for the time being, it has presented me with a different kind of design challenge.

Rental homes of course come with many design limitations, but that does not mean you can’t get creative and make your rental an extension of you, truly epitomizing the feeling of home — even if every design detail isn’t what you’d hoped and dreamed of. Today I am going to share a few do’s and don’ts for making a rental’s design exude warmth, comfort and individuality. 

Do make your space feel like you by painting the walls.

In my opinion, paint is the single most impactful way to change your surroundings with the least amount of investment. A fresh coat of paint can truly transform a space and add so much individuality, which is why it is one of the very first steps I’d recommend after you’ve signed on the dotted line. Most rental agencies or home owners will allow you to paint the walls without any issues, so start grabbing those paint swatches. 

But don’t feel like you need to repaint everything.

That said, remember that this is a rental, and not every inch needs to be repainted. I recommend only painting high use spaces, and avoiding places like closets or pantries where it isn’t necessary. 

Do install artwork throughout your home. 

Another one of the most impactful ways to truly make a rental space feel like home is by hanging art that speaks to you. Bringing your most cherished pieces into your space and filling your walls with meaningful, beautiful artwork will add so much character and vibrance to your space, and most homeowners or rental agencies don’t mind a few nails in the wall. 

Don’t feel like you need to use the space as it was previously used. 

Just because a room was used in a certain way before you moved in does not mean it needs to stay that way. Make your space work for you and your lifestyle and get creative with how you utilize the rooms. For example, we knew we were not going to use the two dining spaces within our home. So, since the main living space has a smaller footprint, we converted one of the dining rooms into a cozy nook, filled with comfortable seating and a TV. Now, it is a space that fits our lifestyle and is perfect for a few people to relax, read a book or watch TV.

Don’t feel the need to make a lot of new purchases.

I would highly recommend limiting the amount of new purchases you make, especially if you don’t see yourself in your rental long-term. Avoid investing in new pieces for a temporary space that may not work in your next home; you’re better off getting creative with what you have now, and holding off on making those purchases for when you feel confident you’ve settled into a place you will be in for the long haul. If you’re really itching to switch something up, but know you might not be in your rental for long, consider getting a current piece recovered, adding new dimension and style without investing in an entirely new piece. 

In our current rental, we completely shuffled our decor and art; what was once in a dining room is now in the living room, and what was once in the living room is now in a bedroom. Even though we are surrounded by the same pieces, it feels like we have given them new life by changing up their location within our space.

Do invest in low cost decor. 

Another way to change things up and breathe new life into your design is by purchasing lower cost decor items, like throw blankets, pillows, tabletop and shelf decor. This can also be a great way to reflect the architecture of your new space in your design, creating a seamless, intentional look. 

Do replace light fixtures. 

If a room really isn’t doing it for you, even after a fresh coat of paint and some art on the walls, turn your eyes upward — consider the lighting. Replacing a light fixture can make a dramatic impact, and while it’s more costly than new decor, it’s certainly a statement-maker that can transform the entire room — and can likely make the move with you to the next home.

Don’t invest in window treatments.

A short-term rental home is not the space for investing in window treatments. Most often, window treatments cannot be used in your next home, as window sizes and ceiling heights vary widely, resulting in a costly purchase for a short-term fix. Now is the time to exercise restraint and hold off on investing in beautiful window treatments; their time will come, but for now, I would recommend using paper shades that can be cut to size for any windows where you have privacy concerns; leave the other windows open.

Do layer rugs, especially if the flooring isn’t your favorite. 

A great way to add richness and warmth, creating a cozy, homey ambiance is by layering rugs. This is an especially great design step if you have wall-to-wall carpet or flooring you aren’t thrilled about. Add some dimension and don’t be afraid to mix patterns, prints and textures, drawing eyes away from unattractive flooring and towards your beautiful rugs. 

Don’t invest a lot in the kitchen. 

This is another area I would not recommend investing too much in, but there are a few design details you can make for a significant change. 

Beautiful barstools at the island are a great way to balance the hard surfaces of the kitchen with some detailed texture; and, hopefully you can use them in your next home, too. Changing out the hardware on the cabinets can also be a great way to add some new life without breaking the bank. Lastly, if you aren’t loving the cabinetry or countertops, add some beautiful decor or stylized kitchen accessories to your counters to move the eyes towards what you brought to the space, putting the focus on details that feel like home.