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  4. Top Tips for Making Your Rental Feel Like Home

Interiors & Decorating

Inspiration and advice on interior design, decorating styles, colour schemes and home aesthetics.

Interiors & Decorating

Top Tips for Making Your Rental Feel Like Home

Whether you are renting a house or a single room, you don’t have to make do with blank magnolia walls and rooms full of generic furniture.

Whether you are renting a house or a single room, you don’t have to make do with blank magnolia walls and rooms full of generic furniture.

Here are some of the best ways to achieve a brighter, more welcoming space while ensuring you stay on good terms with your landlord.

Maximise natural light

One of the simplest ways to brighten up any space is to make the most of the natural light available. Switch heavy or dark curtains with light, sheer curtains (but don’t forget to safely stash the original ones for when you move out). If the rental comes with blinds, keep them open during the day to let in as much light as possible. Strategically placed mirrors across from windows can amplify the natural light too, making the room feel larger and brighter.

Use temporary light fixtures

While you may not be able to change existing lighting, you can add floor lamps, table lamps, or string lights to enhance the ambiance. Plug-in pendant lights can be hung from the ceiling or a wall hook without needing hardwiring. LED strip lights are also a great option for adding brightness; they can be placed under cabinets, around mirrors, or even along baseboards, offering a modern touch without any permanent installation.

Accessorise!

Choosing light soft furnishings can have a significant impact on the overall brightness of a room and make the space feel airy and open. Opt for white or pastel shades for larger items like sofas, rugs, and bedding. If you already own the furniture, or your accommodation is furnished, you can lighten the look with throws, cushions, or slipcovers in lighter tones.

Upgrade your walls

While painting walls might not be an option in a rental, you can upgrade your décor with art and wall hangings or even peel-and-stick wallpaper. These temporary solutions are easy to apply and remove, allowing you to personalise your space without worrying about losing your deposit.

Go green

Plants bring life and brightness to a rental property; they not only purify the air but also add a pop of colour that can make any space feel more vibrant. For low-light areas, consider hardy plants which thrive in dimmer conditions. Hanging plants or placing them on shelves can also create a dynamic look without taking up floor space.

Creative Storage Solutions

Clutter can make a space feel darker and more confined. Invest in attractive storage solutions like open shelving, baskets, and decorative boxes that can keep your belongings organized and out of sight. Keeping surfaces clear and organized will not only make your space look bigger but will also allow the light to bounce around more freely, enhancing the room’s brightness.

If you are moving out of a property and are worried about getting your deposit back, why not secure the help of a handyman before you hand the keys back? They will be able to complete repairs to make your property as good as it was on the day you moved in. For more tips and to find traders you can trust, follow us on Facebook or X.

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Looking for more interiors & decorating advice?

Find clear, practical answers to common interiors & decorating questions, helping homeowners understand everyday issues, know what checks they can carry out safely, and when it is best to contact a qualified professional.

  • What is the difference between a painter and a decorator?

    A painter focuses on applying paint - walls, ceilings, woodwork. A decorator does all of that but also handles wallpaper, specialist finishes, surface prep, and can advise on colours and materials. Many professionals do both and call themselves painters and decorators. For a straightforward repaint, a painter is fine. If you want wallpaper, something specialist, or someone to help you make decisions about the finish, go with a decorator.

  • How many coats of paint does a professional decorator apply?

    For most walls, it's a primer or mist coat, then two topcoats. New plaster, bare surfaces, or a big colour change might need more preparation or extra coats. Cutting corners on coats or using cheap paint are the most common ways to get a finish that looks fine at first and starts showing its age within a year. A trusted decorator always prepares the surface properly and won't rush between coats.

  • How do I prepare my home before a decorator arrives?

    Move furniture away from the walls and take down pictures, mirrors, and anything fixed to the walls. If you can strip old wallpaper yourself beforehand, it'll save time on site. Make sure every part of the room is accessible and well-lit. Talk through surface prep with the decorator in advance - a good one will tell you exactly what they need before they can start.

  • How do I know if my walls need replastering before decorating?

    If there are significant cracks, areas that sound hollow when you tap them, persistent damp, or large patches that are flaking or badly uneven - replastering first will give a much better result. Decorating over problem plaster looks fine initially but every imperfection tends to show through, especially with modern matt paints. A decorator can assess whether full replastering or careful preparation and skim coating will get you where you want to be.

  • What are the most popular interior design styles right now?

    There's been a pretty clear shift away from the all-grey, everything-neutral look of the 2010s. Warmer tones are dominating - clay, terracotta, stone, off-white - with natural materials like linen, rattan, and solid timber replacing high-gloss finishes. Biophilic design (plants, natural light, organic shapes) has gone from trend to standard practice. There's also a real appetite for spaces that feel personal and collected rather than showroom-ready - bold wallpaper, layered textiles, and period features being celebrated rather than painted over.

  • How long does a full home decorating project typically take?

    A single room in good condition typically takes a professional two to three days. A full house - particularly an older property that needs a little more care beforehand - can take several weeks. The part that often catches people off guard is the preparation: stripping wallpaper, filling, sanding, and priming all take a good amount of time, and doing them properly really does make all the difference to the finished result.

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