10 top tips for turning a rental into a home, with 30 easy solutions

There's more and more of us living in rented accommodation; whether it's short or long-term you need to make the place feel like home if you're to be happy living there. Here's the top ten tips for helping you turn your rental into a home, along with thirty easy and very achievable solutions.

Make it Personal

a) By displaying photographs of family & friends.

Cathy Mores

b) By displaying your own art work.

Living Room Image

c) Adding knick-knacks, groups of candles and fresh flowers.

House To Home

Keep within the Rules

a) Don't paint the walls unless the landlord says it's okay.

Shutter Stock

b) Likewise don't paint the splash-back tiles in the kitchen or bathroom.

Style At Home

c) Don't rip up the carpets, no matter how much you dislike them.

Basically Benita

Getting Your Deposit Back

a) Don't make holes in the walls, no matter how small.

b) Don't have a fire on the living room carpet – sounds absurd but in reality in happens!

Adventures In Laser Cutting

c) Make sure the home is clean throughout.

Plymouth Domestic Cleaning Services

Report Problems Before you Sign

a) Make sure the landlord makes a note of any damage to walls, e.g. faulty, blown plaster.

A1 Free Texture and Photos

b) Water stains on ceiling or walls.

Air Better

c) Note any damage or stains to carpets and flooring. Tip: If there's a rug lift it up to see what it may be hiding.

Merchant Circle

Wallpaper

a) Hand patterned wallpaper from boards to give plain walls an instant be-me-up.

Under The Roof Decorating

b) Use fabric rather than wallpaper; it's easy to hang and doesn't cause any problems when removed.

House Decorating Idea

c) As much as you dislike the existing wallpaper don't be tempted to paint over it without permission.

Bob Vila

Wall decals

a) Use wall decals to give a new lease of life to a plain and boring wall.

Denver Disco

b) Wall decals with a quote or those which are fun are great for giving your morale a lift.

c) Use decals to disguise marks and stains (once you've made sure the landlord has made a note of

Wall Flower Online

Get Creative with Soft Furnishings

a) Nothing creates a home better than cushions.

Gilding The Lily Interiors

b) If you live in a furnished rental use throws to make the sofa and chairs feel more personal to you.

c) Include a variety of textures for visual and tactile stimulation.

Iconic Lights

Add Rugs

a) Rugs are a great way to cover an unsightly or filthy carpet.

Wall Flower Online

b) Add a rug to bare floorboards or tiled floors to give a little soft comfort underfoot.

Decobizz

c) Use rugs to help add a touch of colour and pattern to a plain carpet or floor.

Home Interior Pics

Dress Up The Windows

a) Blinds are a great way to give a window a new look.

Fresh Home

b) Add moisture resistant blinds to kitchen and bathroom windows. Tip: Remember to keep the landlords window treatment safe so that you can replace it when you leave without having to pay penalties.