As a renter, it can be disheartening to realize you are “stuck” with whatever your landlord has decided to put in the home. You may have certain restrictions, such as no painting the walls, or feel stuck with flooring you are less than thrilled about. These things serve as a constant reminder that you’re living in someone else’s property and can make you feel like you aren’t able to give it the sense of style you personally want to live in.

While you may not have all the freedom of customization that a homeowner has, the great news is that you can still do some amazing things to your rental to make it your own. It is entirely possible to feel right at home in a rental apartment or house with some very simple design tricks. In fact, you can make it downright chic, regardless of the permanent cosmetic details.

The following 10 decorating tips for renters are easy to implement, budget-friendly, and will do wonders to any rental.

1. Wall Art. Nothing can brighten up a home and give it some personal style as quickly and effectively as wall art. One of my favorite DIY options for a rental is covering a canvas in fabric. You can do smaller ones to create a gallery wall or one large one if you want to create the illusion of an accent wall without having to paint.
Source: Better Homes & Gardens

2. Curtains. Curtains instantly soften a space and make it feel much more inviting. If you want to capture a warmer feel in your space, go with neutral curtains that aren’t far off from the wall color. If you want a pop of color or personality, go with a bold solid or pattern.
Source: Chatelaine

3. Area Rugs. An area rug is another great way to instantly warm up a space. You can introduce color and texture through it, not to mention cover up any flooring you don’t necessarily like. You can even layer them on top of carpet.
Source: My Domaine

4. Lighting. Light fixtures are super easy to switch out while you’re living in a rental. They add a lot of character to a space and can improve the overall ambiance of it. Just hold on to the original lighting and switch them back when you move out.
Source: HGTV

5. Mirrors. Mirrors are one of the most effective ways to make a small space feel much larger. They reflect light, creating a sense of openness. A large mirror, like the one in the photo, is also a great substitute for an accent wall.
Source: House Beautiful

6. Shelving. Shelving is not only super functional, but also gives you a great opportunity to bring your own personality to a space. Get creative with the decor and arrangement of your books. Even just arranging your books by color can create a really great visual effect.
Source: Decor8

7. Accent Walls. If you are allowed to paint but don’t want to be tasked with having to repaint every wall when you leave, opt to paint just one accent wall in an eye-catching color to give it some depth.
Source: Lonny

8. Plants. Indoor plants are one of my favorite ways to create a cozy feeling in a space. They instantly add life to your home and make it feel more lived in. If you don’t have a green thumb, there are plenty of realistic-looking silk plants that you can invest in.
Source: Better Homes & Gardens

9. Room Dividers. Room dividers (or screens) are another fantastic alternative to painting the walls. Choose a beautiful decorative screen in a pattern or texture for a nice design element. You could also get a corkboard divider like the one in the photo to hang things on to avoid putting holes in the walls.
Source: Real Simple

10. Radiator Cover. No one likes to see the eyesore that is a radiator. Thankfully, there are tons of beautiful radiator covers on the market and even more DIY options for one that are both stylish and functional.
Source: Better Homes & Gardens

Follow these decorating tips for renters to make your rental feel more like home.

Warm regards,
Megan